# How Long Does Spousal Maintenance in Texas Last? <span style="font-weight: 400;">Spousal support or maintenance is awarded to the lower-earning spouse in a Texas divorce. However, the high-income spouse usually resents the need to support their ex for years after their divorce financially.  Spousal maintenance is not a lifelong obligation. There are specific guidelines on how this support must be calculated and for how long. You can </span><a href="https://rodriguezfamilylawyer.com/spousal-support/"><b>learn more about spousal support in Texas</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by consulting a divorce attorney. </span> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minimum Requirements for Spousal Maintenance</span></h2> <span style="font-weight: 400;"> Divorce judgments in Texas do not always include a spousal maintenance order. To qualify for spousal support, the spouse seeking alimony should show they don’t have enough income to support themselves reasonably. Also, other requirements must be met to be eligible for spousal maintenance. For instance, the spouse seeking support should show that they are physically or mentally disabled and cannot earn enough income because of this. Also, the couple must be married for at least ten years. A spouse can also seek support from the other spouse if they cannot earn adequate income because they care for their disabled child. </span> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Average Spousal Maintenance Award</span></h2> <span style="font-weight: 400;">A family court in Texas can award up to 5,000 or 20% of the average monthly gross income of the paying spouse. It will consider various factors related to the finances of every spouse and their respective contributions to the marriage.  </span> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spousal Maintenance Duration</span></h2> <span style="font-weight: 400;">How long spousal maintenance lasts depends mainly on the marriage’s circumstances. Often, the shortest duration will still offer the recipient spouse enough time to earn sufficient income to meet monthly expenses. Additional time may be ordered if the spouse is caring for an infant or a disabled child of the marriage. Also, this can happen if the receiving spouse has a disability. Suppose the court awards indefinite spousal support. It will review the paying spouse periodically to assess the situation. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Beyond indefinite spousal maintenance due to disability reasons, caps are imposed on the maximum duration depending on why the award was granted. For instance, spousal maintenance continues for up to five years if it was awarded due to family violence and the marriage lasted less than ten years. Spousal maintenance is capped at seven years if the marriage lasted between 20 and 30 years. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Following the end of a marriage, the financial connection between a former couple can linger if spousal maintenance is being paid. A divorce attorney can help spouses understand their situation and find a solution that meets their needs.   </span>