Alimony Lawyer in Arlington, TX
Board-Certified Advocacy for Your Financial Future
- Board-certified family law attorney on staff
- Representing both paying and receiving spouses
- Virtual consultations available
- Serving Arlington, Southlake, and Mansfield, TX
Why Choose Harris Cook Law for Alimony
David Cook is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys. When your financial future depends on the outcome of a spousal support dispute, that level of specialization means your case is built on a foundation of deep expertise in Texas family law.
Whether you are the higher-earning spouse facing a support obligation or the lower-earning spouse seeking the resources to rebuild, our family law attorneys in Arlington, TX, represent both positions. We approach every case by gathering the facts, understanding the financial picture, and fighting for an outcome that is fair under the law.
Harris Cook Law has represented judges and fellow attorneys in their own divorce cases. That kind of trust from the legal community reflects decades of credible, effective practice in Tarrant County and across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our team knows how the local courts operate, and we use that familiarity to position your case strategically.
Your Financial Future Deserves Focused Representation
Alimony disputes are rarely straightforward. Texas courts start from the presumption that spousal support is not appropriate, which means every case requires proof, preparation, and a clear legal strategy. Whether you need to make a case for support or defend against an unfair obligation, Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division has the experience to guide you through each step. Our attorneys help spouses in Southlake, Mansfield, and across the Dallas-Fort Worth area protect their financial futures during and after divorce.
We'll Stand By Your Side
Clients Take Comfort In Our Services
"Having the legal expertise and counsel of David and his team made what was such a scary and painful process one that I felt so very well represented in and taken care of through. Most of all, I felt confident of his professional and compassionate counsel and representation in seeking the very best way to lead my children and I through this process."
– Katie, 5-Star Review
What an Alimony Attorney Can Do for You
Our family law attorneys in Arlington can represent your entire divorce case in or out of the courtroom. We can also provide limited-scope representation, meaning you can choose to have us only handle alimony or other individual aspects of your divorce.
Along with providing legal advice, our family law attorneys can:
- Fight to improve or protect your future income
- Walk you through the spousal support legal process
- Help file paperwork and keep track of due dates
- Help submit a request for modification of spousal support
- Help you and your ex reach a fair outcome according to the law
The attorneys at our law firm are here to help you with alimony, child custody, and every other aspect of divorce. Our divorce lawyers will gather facts including the length of the marriage and each spouse's capacity to earn a living in order to reach a fair outcome.
Alimony in Texas
Alimony is financial support that one spouse is ordered by a court to provide to the other during and/or after a divorce. Texas family law refers to alimony as "spousal maintenance." Other states refer to it as "spousal support."
In Texas, the initial presumption of the court during any divorce is that spousal support is not appropriate. Judges will only award alimony under specific circumstances, and the payments are almost always required for only a limited time.
Alimony payments, when ordered and calculated fairly, can empower a lower-earning spouse to start a new life after a divorce. However, when alimony payments are awarded unfairly, they can be a crippling financial burden to the supporting spouse. At Harris Cook Law - Family Law Division in Arlington, our alimony attorneys assist both higher-earning and lower-earning spouses in alimony disputes. Whether a current alimony arrangement needs adjustment, or you are in the process of divorce in Southlake, Mansfield, or anywhere in Greater Arlington, we can provide the advocacy you need.
Temporary vs.
Permanent Support
In Texas, there are different types of spousal support. Understanding the difference between temporary and permanent support is important:
- Temporary support: These temporary payments are made by one spouse to the other during the case and before a final decree is entered.
- Permanent support: This support is paid once the case is over and provides the recipient with the funds needed to maintain the same standard of living as they had during the marriage.
We offer in-person and virtual consultations to prospective clients from Southlake, Mansfield, and all over Dallas-Fort Worth. You can request a consultation by contacting us online or by calling our family law attorney in Arlington, TX.
Speak With an Alimony Lawyer
How Spousal Support Is Determined
Several factors are considered by family law courts when entering an order of spousal support, including:
- Income level of each party
- Educational and employment history of each party
- The length of the marriage
- The ages of the parties
- Whether any health issues are present
- Whether the recipient is caring for a disabled child or is disabled themselves
- The child support order and child custody arrangement, if applicable
- History of domestic violence or other marital misconduct
Every case is unique and has special needs. In order to determine the amount of spousal support that fits your case, our alimony lawyers in Arlington will examine all the facts and present them on your behalf. The court then takes all evidence into consideration and enters a final order.
A spouse can be considered at fault for the divorce, but this won't likely be a factor in determining alimony.
Does Fault Impact Spousal Support?
For the most part, no. Texas is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means that one or both parties can dissolve a marriage without needing to cite a specific reason behind the divorce. By contrast, “fault” is when a spouse can list specific actions of the other party that led to the separation.
While the court may rule in favor of a spouse when their partner is at fault, this determination does not guarantee spousal support. However, cruelty in the form of family violence may be considered when determining spousal support.
We Can Handle Your Case
Every family is unique, which applies to every family law case that our practice handles. For example, if one of the parties in a divorce is a sponsored immigrant, they can call upon the Affidavit of Support to receive spousal support for a limited amount of time. Our attorneys can help you navigate the complex rules and regulations of the court to find a fair solution under the law.
We can help you file for alimony and discover pertinent details that could affect your case. If you or your partner have begun the divorce process, contact our practice using this electronic form or call our office.
"Divorce is a challenging life experience and you want someone who is honest and experienced to represent you. Harris Cook LLP was just that for me, it was a lot of unknowns that they guided me through and help me achieve the best possible outcome. Though no Divorce was my hope and may be yours as well, you’re in good hands if you select Harris Cook LLP." — Michael, 5-Star Review
Spousal Support in a Collaborative Divorce
A collaborative divorce is when both parties of the marriage reach an agreement on property division, visitation rights, child support, etc. By collaborating, both parties can avoid the added stress of taking their case to court and maintain a more amicable relationship among family members.
You and your spouse can determine alimony in collaborative divorce and have more control over the terms and conditions compared to having it determined by the court. However, collaborative divorce is not the best fit for everyone, especially when a spouse is not cooperative or has abused their partner in the past.
Can a Maintenance Order Be Modified?
Yes, a party can request a modification of spousal support if they or the other spouse experience certain changes in their circumstances. For example, if the obligee moves in with a romantic partner, the obligor may request a modification. However, the duration and amount awarded in an existing order cannot be increased.
Our divorce attorneys can help you determine whether you have grounds for a modification and help you file for a change or end to spousal support payments.
We Are Your Resource for Legal Advice on Alimony and Family Law
Filing for spousal support during a divorce can be a challenge when the courts require proof for implementing or modifying maintenance orders. Our family law firm can guide you through each step of pursuing spousal support and help your family find a fair solution for everyone. Our attorneys can answer your questions and provide legal advice to help you navigate the complexities of divorce and alimony.
Discuss your situation with our attorneys during a consultation. Complete our online form or call our Arlington law firm.
Texas Spousal Maintenance FAQ
What is the maximum alimony payment in Texas?
Unlike most states, Texas has determined a limit on how much financial support one spouse can be ordered to give the other. The highest amount a spouse can be ordered to pay every month is either $5,000 or 20 percent of that spouse's average monthly gross income. Whichever amount is less represents the maximum in that case.
What are the tax implications of spousal maintenance?
In the past, the IRS considered alimony payments to be tax-deductible for the paying spouse and taxable income for the receiving spouse. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changed that. Now, spousal maintenance payments are not tax-deductible for the payor or taxable for the recipient. Our divorce lawyers will take this into account when advising you on what kind of support arrangement you should seek.
How is spousal support related to child custody and child support?
In most circumstances, the parent awarded primary custody of a child will receive some amount of court-ordered child support from the other parent. Judges do take this into account when deciding if spousal maintenance is appropriate after a divorce. Generally speaking, judges are less likely to order that a spouse pay spousal support if that spouse will already be required to pay child support.
What happens if a spouse remarries?
When the paying spouse remarries or begins to cohabitate with a romantic partner, it will not warrant any change to the maintenance order. However, if the spouse receiving support remarries or moves in with a new romantic partner, then the support order can be terminated before the original end date.
Related Topics
The divorce lawyers at our Arlington law offices walk men and women through every stage of the divorce process. In addition to alimony, we will make sure that you are treated fairly in matters of:
