What is a spousal support order?

A spousal support order is a court-ordered payment of money from one former spouse to another as part of a divorce or legal separation in Texas. The spouse paying the money is responsible for making regular payments until the terms of the order have been fulfilled. The court typically takes into consideration the financial situations of both spouses when determining the amount of the support. Generally, a spousal support order is put in place to ensure that one spouse, usually the one that earns less income, is financially cared for after the divorce. In Texas, a spousal support order can be either temporary or permanent. A temporary order usually occurs in the early stages of the divorce process while the couple is negotiating the terms of the divorce. In this situation, the court will determine the amount each spouse is to pay in support and will also specify the length of time for which the support must be paid. Permanent spousal support orders are made once the divorce is finalized. These orders will determine the amount of money the former spouse must pay to the other to support them for an indefinite period of time. The court considers the length of the marriage as well as the earning capacities of both spouses when determining the length of time the payments must be made. In Texas, spousal support orders are not set in stone and can be modified over time. This could include changing the payment amounts or length of time one spouse is ordered to pay support. Generally, these modifications require the approval of the court. All orders for spousal support, however, must be taken seriously by both parties involved and fully complied with at all times.

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