Texas Spousal Maintenance Calculator

The requesting spouse must generally show the marriage lasted at least 10 years AND that they lack sufficient property to meet minimum reasonable needs. Shorter marriages may qualify if there is a family violence conviction within 2 years of filing, or if the spouse has an incapacitating physical or mental disability.

The statutory cap under §8.055 is the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the payor's average monthly gross income. This is a ceiling — the actual award is based on the recipient's documented minimum reasonable needs, which is often less than the cap.

Duration caps under §8.054: marriages of 10–20 years → maximum 5 years; 20–30 years → maximum 7 years; 30+ years → maximum 10 years. Courts usually award less than the maximum.

No. Texas does not award permanent spousal maintenance except in cases where the spouse has an incapacitating physical or mental disability, or where a child of the marriage has a disability requiring full-time care.

Yes. Separate from court-ordered maintenance, divorcing spouses can contractually agree to alimony as part of their settlement. Contractual alimony is not subject to the §8.055 caps and is enforced as a contract — but it also cannot be modified by a court the way court-ordered maintenance can.