Alimony & Spousal Support Lawyer in Burleson

Focused Family Law Representation for Burleson & Johnson County Since 1990

If you need spousal support to maintain your standard of living after divorce, a spousal support attorney at Coontz Cochran can help you build a compelling case. We also represent spouses who believe the support being requested is excessive or unworkable given their finances. Attorney Jeff Cochran handles the family law practice at our firm almost exclusively, bringing focused experience to recipients and payers alike.

Need help with spousal support in Burleson? Start with a free initial consultation. Call (888) 858-0536 or reach out to us online to get started.

What Is Alimony Under Texas Law?

During a divorce, the court aims to prevent a sharp financial decline for either spouse after the marriage ends. Alimony, spousal support, and the Texas Family Code term “spousal maintenance” all describe the same obligation: periodic payments from the higher-earning spouse to the financially dependent spouse for a defined period.

Texas law doesn’t provide automatic alimony. Courts evaluate the circumstances unique to each case, including marriage length and each spouse’s financial contributions. Burleson residents may have their case heard in either Johnson County or Tarrant County, depending on their home address, and the courthouse location affects filing procedures and hearing timelines.

Am I Eligible for Spousal Support in Texas?

Eligibility requires demonstrating genuine financial need and good-faith efforts toward self-sufficiency. The court reviews both spouses’ finances, living standards, and circumstances before making any award. There’s no set formula, which is why detailed preparation matters.

For Burleson residents, courts also consider child custody arrangements, medical challenges, and past employment history. Johnson County and Tarrant County courts may apply local expectations that further influence how eligibility factors are weighed under the Texas Family Code.

The court can consider several factors when setting a fair support amount, including:

• Debilitating mental or physical disabilities
• Child custody rights
• Criminal records
• Employment histories
• Educational accomplishments

When your former spouse earns significantly more, you may have grounds to seek support. Working with a spousal support lawyer in Burleson means your interests are represented at every stage of that evaluation.

How Long Does Spousal Support Last in Texas?

Texas law recognizes several types of alimony, each designed to meet different needs during and after divorce.

Our attorneys can help you identify which type may apply to your situation:

• Temporary alimony: Courts may grant this during divorce proceedings to provide financial stability until the divorce concludes.
• Rehabilitative alimony: This supports a spouse who needs time to retrain or pursue education before becoming self-sufficient.
• Long-term support: In marriages lasting 20 years or more, Texas courts may award support for longer durations. Support ends upon remarriage, death, or other terminating events.
• Lump-sum alimony: Instead of ongoing payments, this settles the obligation through a single one-time payment.

Texas law caps how long most spousal support awards last. Most alimony may end when the recipient gains employment, completes job training, or reaches the statutory duration limit. Marriage length and post-divorce circumstances shape the specific timeframe the court sets, and the presiding district court can establish a review period based on county and local practices.

Factors Courts Consider When Awarding Alimony

Courts weigh several factors when deciding whether to award alimony and how much support one spouse owes. These considerations reflect a balanced evaluation of both parties’ needs and financial resources.

Key considerations include:

• Length of the marriage: Longer marriages may increase the likelihood of a support award. Under the Texas Family Code, courts may award support in marriages lasting at least 10 years, especially where the lower-earning spouse can’t achieve self-sufficiency.
• Financial and non-financial contributions: Judges recognize career sacrifices, homemaking, and child-rearing as valuable contributions when determining support amounts.
• Earning capacity of the spouse seeking support: The court reviews the requesting spouse’s education, work history, and earning potential. Limited earning capacity may weigh in favor of an award.
• The paying spouse’s ability to provide support: The judge reviews the paying spouse’s income and expenses to determine whether payments are financially feasible.
• Physical and mental health of both parties: Judges may award alimony if one spouse can’t work due to a health condition and the other has the means to cover support.
• Standard of living during the marriage: Courts look at the lifestyle established during the marriage and try to limit drastic changes post-divorce.
• Age and physical condition of the spouse seeking support: Older or less healthy spouses who can’t maintain financial independence may qualify for support.

Judges in Johnson and Tarrant counties may interpret these guidelines differently, making full and accurate financial disclosure critical. Courts often require detailed documentation and may call for testimony about specific needs or expenses.

Modifying or Terminating Alimony in Texas

Modifications require formal court review and approval before taking effect. Depending on your address, your Burleson case could be heard in either the Johnson County Courthouse or the Tarrant County Family Court. Both courts follow Texas law but maintain different expectations for filings and hearing timelines. Thorough documentation throughout the process strengthens your position regardless of which court presides.

The most common reasons for modifying spousal support include:

• Change in financial circumstances: When the paying spouse’s income changes or the receiving spouse’s financial situation improves, either party can request a review of support payments.
• Remarriage or cohabitation: Remarriage by the support recipient typically ends payments. Under the Texas Family Code, cohabitation with a romantic partner on a continuing basis can also be grounds to terminate support, though the paying spouse must petition the court for a ruling.
• Disability or health issues: A significant change in either party’s health can prompt the court to review and adjust support payments.

We handle spousal support modifications in addition to initial proceedings. To avoid overpaying or receiving less than you’re owed, work with a spousal support attorney in Burleson at Coontz Cochran.

The Emotional Weight of Spousal Support Cases

Spousal support cases affect more than finances. Long-term legal uncertainty creates stress that touches work, parenting, and family relationships in ways that are difficult to anticipate, and the outcome can shape your financial life for years after the divorce is final.

For families in Burleson, local support systems in Johnson and Tarrant counties, including counseling centers and area programs, can provide supplemental emotional relief during proceedings. Clear legal guidance reduces that uncertainty. When you understand your options and have a defined path forward, you can focus on decisions rather than anxiety.

Our team guides clients through each step, answering questions and communicating consistently throughout. Our clients regularly note in reviews that we keep them informed and make complex legal procedures understandable. That clarity isn’t a courtesy. It’s part of how we build a strong case for you.

Enforcing Spousal Support Orders in Burleson

If a former spouse refuses to pay despite a court order, you have enforcement options through courts serving Johnson or Tarrant counties. Courts may hold hearings to review missed payments and issue enforcement orders, which can include wage garnishment or asset liens depending on your circumstances.

Texas law empowers local courts to impose penalties for ongoing violations. If payments lapse, document each missed instance and preserve all communication records. Organized documentation strengthens an enforcement petition and helps the court act efficiently when you file.

Coontz Cochran provides local guidance on what to expect during enforcement hearings and how Burleson-area courts handle unpaid support cases. Acting promptly and filing in the correct county can improve the likelihood of recovering past-due payments.

Tax Implications & Financial Planning for Spousal Support

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the federal tax treatment of spousal support for divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018. Under current rules, the paying spouse can’t deduct support payments from federal taxes, and the recipient doesn’t report payments as taxable income. Divorce orders entered before 2019 retain the prior deductibility rules unless the parties modify the agreement and specifically elect to apply the new treatment.

Johnson and Tarrant County courts require honest disclosure of income and expenses. Because the after-tax impact of support payments differs significantly under pre- and post-2018 agreements, that tax status can influence negotiated amounts during settlement discussions. Sound post-divorce financial planning also considers how support payments fit into your broader budget, retirement timeline, and community property settlement. Our team can explain how these financial factors affect court disclosures and what to expect as your case develops.

Why Burleson Families Choose Coontz Cochran for Spousal Support

Since 1990, Coontz Cochran has represented clients in Burleson, Johnson County, and across Greater Fort Worth in a broad range of family law matters. Our attorneys bring over 50 years of combined legal experience to every case, and Attorney Jeff Cochran has handled hundreds of family law matters since joining the firm in 1999, including high-net-worth divorces and complex property division cases.

The firm has been recognized in Texas Super Lawyers^®, which selects the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state, and holds an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest peer-review rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Attorney Greg Coontz grew up in Burleson and attended Burleson High School, giving us genuine hometown roots alongside our courtroom credentials.

Local families navigating spousal support often face overlapping jurisdictions across Johnson and Tarrant counties. We guide clients at each step, from the initial county filing to preparing financial disclosures and facilitating settlement discussions. Our familiarity with local courts helps us anticipate procedural hurdles and build cases that reflect how area judges approach support requests. Read what past clients have to say on our testimonials page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Courts Handle Spousal Support Cases for Burleson Residents?

Depending on your home’s location, your case may be heard in either Johnson County or Tarrant County. The courthouse affects the exact process and timeline for requesting, modifying, or enforcing spousal support, so identifying which court has jurisdiction early matters.

Does Spousal Support End Automatically If I Remarry?

Court-ordered spousal support typically ends when the recipient remarries. You should notify the court promptly after a remarriage so the order can be updated and payments can stop, helping avoid any dispute over amounts paid after that date.

What Can I Do If My Former Spouse Stops Making Alimony Payments?

You can file an enforcement petition with your county court, which may order wage garnishment or other collection methods. Document every missed payment and preserve any related communications. Organized records strengthen your petition and help the court act more efficiently.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free initial consultation with our spousal support lawyers in Burleson. Call (888) 858-0536 or contact us online to get started.