Estimate Support Cap
Statutory Maximums
Note: This calculates the statutory maximum. The actual award represents the "minimum reasonable needs" of the recipient, which may be lower than this cap.
Texas Spousal Maintenance Calculator (2024)
Texas is known as a "strict" alimony state. Officially termed Spousal Maintenance, payments from one spouse to another after divorce are tightly regulated by the Texas Family Code, specifically Chapter 8. Unlike many other states where alimony is calculated using a broad formula, Texas imposes specific eligibility hurdles and strict caps on both the amount and duration of payments.
This calculator helps you determine the statutory maximums—the most a court is allowed to order based on the paying spouse's income and the length of the marriage. It is crucial to understand that these figures represent the ceiling, not a guaranteed award.
How Texas Calculates Spousal Support
To qualify for spousal maintenance in Texas, the seeking spouse must generally lack sufficient property to provide for their minimum reasonable needs, AND typically must have been married for at least 10 years (unless there is a disability or recent family violence).
1. The "Lesser of" Rule for Monthly Payments
If eligibility is met, Texas law caps the monthly maintenance amount at the lesser of two figures:
- $5,000 per month; OR
- 20% of the paying spouse's average monthly gross resources.
"Gross resources" is a broader term than net income but includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, royalty income, and dividends.
2. Duration Limits Based on Marriage Length
Texas law presumes spousal maintenance should be temporary to allow the recipient to gain financial independence. The duration is strictly limited based on how long the marriage lasted:
| Length of Marriage | Maximum Duration of Support |
|---|---|
| Less than 10 Years* | 0 Years (Ineligible unless violence/disability) |
| 10 to 20 Years | 5 Years |
| 20 to 30 Years | 7 Years |
| 30 or More Years | 10 Years |
*Note: If eligibility is based on family violence or incapacitating physical/mental disability, the duration rules may vary significantly.
Minimum Reasonable Needs
Even if the calculator shows a maximum cap of $3,000, if the receiving spouse only proves they need $1,500 to cover their "minimum reasonable needs" (housing, food, utilities), the court will likely award the lower amount. Texas spousal maintenance is not designed to equalize the standard of living, but strictly to provide a safety net.
Using This Calculator
Enter the duration of the marriage in years and the paying spouse's gross monthly resources. The calculator will apply the Texas Family Code percentage cap and duration limits to show the maximum exposure the paying spouse faces.