Alimony Attorney in Carrollton, TX

Serving Dallas, Denton & Collin Counties Since 2007

Carrollton, Texas sits at the intersection of three counties, and Haugen Law Firm, P.C. practices across all three. Since 2007, we’ve represented individuals and families in Dallas, Denton, and Collin County courts on spousal support matters ranging from straightforward settlements to contested hearings. Whether your case calls for careful negotiation or courtroom advocacy, we build a strategy around your specific circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

If you’re facing a spousal support question in Carrollton, TX, we can help. Call (972) 460-6798 or reach us through our contact form to schedule a consultation.

Spousal Maintenance vs. Contractual Alimony in Texas

Texas law draws a distinction most people don’t know about. Court-ordered spousal support is called spousal maintenance and is governed by Texas Family Code Chapter 8. “Alimony” is commonly used as a catch-all term, but in Texas it most precisely refers to contractual alimony, a privately negotiated support arrangement reached as part of a divorce settlement.

The practical difference matters. Contractual alimony isn’t subject to the statutory caps or duration limits that apply to court-ordered maintenance. But enforcement works differently if payments stop: spousal maintenance is enforced through contempt proceedings, while contractual alimony is enforced as a contract, which typically requires a separate civil lawsuit. Knowing which type applies to your situation shapes how we build your case from the start.

Qualifying for Spousal Maintenance in Texas

Eligibility for court-ordered maintenance begins with a threshold test under Texas Family Code Section 8.051. The requesting spouse must show they lack sufficient property, including separate property, to meet their minimum reasonable needs. That alone isn’t enough. At least one additional qualifying condition must also apply:

• Marriage length and income gap: The marriage lasted 10 years or more and the requesting spouse can’t earn enough to meet their needs
• Physical or mental disability: The requesting spouse has an incapacitating condition that limits their ability to work
• Caregiver of a disabled child: The requesting spouse is the primary caregiver for a child of the marriage whose disability prevents that parent from earning sufficient income
• Family violence exception: The other spouse was convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a family violence offense against the requesting spouse or their child within two years before the divorce was filed or while it was pending

Once eligibility is established, courts weigh additional factors under Section 8.052, including each spouse’s age, health, and employment history, before deciding whether to award maintenance and in what amount.

Duration Limits & Monthly Caps Under Texas Law

Texas courts must limit spousal maintenance to the shortest reasonable period that allows the receiving spouse to reach self-sufficiency. Under Section 8.054, the maximum duration is tied to marriage length: five years for marriages of 10 to 20 years, seven years for marriages of 20 to 30 years, and ten years for marriages lasting 30 years or more. Maintenance based on disability or care for a disabled child has no fixed cap and continues only as long as the qualifying condition persists.

On the financial side, Section 8.055 limits court-ordered maintenance to the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20 percent of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income. Payments terminate automatically on the death of either party or the remarriage of the receiving spouse. Cohabiting with a romantic partner can also trigger modification or termination.

Where Your Carrollton Case Will Be Heard

Because Carrollton spans Dallas, Denton, and Collin Counties, a spousal support case filed by or against a Carrollton resident can land in any of the three county court systems depending on where the parties live. That’s not a procedural footnote. It determines which judges, local rules, and filing requirements apply. We practice across all three counties, so we aren’t navigating unfamiliar territory regardless of where your case is filed.

How We Approach Your Case

Founding Attorney John Haugen is a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Captain. That background shapes how we prepare: methodically, with attention to detail, and with a clear strategy before we walk into any negotiation or courtroom. It also informs our commitment to the community. We offer significant discounts to military members, first responders, and teachers, and remote consultations are available for clients who can’t easily make it to our office.

Talk to a Spousal Support Lawyer Serving Carrollton, TX

Spousal support decisions carry long-term financial consequences. Whether you’re seeking maintenance, responding to a claim, or negotiating contractual alimony as part of a divorce settlement, getting the legal picture right before anything is finalized is worth the time.

Contact Haugen Law Firm, P.C. at (972) 460-6798 or use our online contact form to schedule your consultation. We can help you move through this process with clarity.