Even when a Georgetown spouse qualifies for maintenance, Texas puts firm limits on how long it can last. SMB Law, PC makes sure the duration in your order matches what the statute actually allows — no more and no less.
As the Williamson County seat, Georgetown is where these orders are entered, and we regularly see parties argue over years of payments without realizing the law already caps the clock based on the length of the marriage.
Where a Georgetown spousal support case is handled
Georgetown is the Williamson County seat, so spousal maintenance is decided as part of the divorce at the Williamson County Justice Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Street, right in town.
How long spousal maintenance can last
Texas ties the maximum duration of maintenance to how long the marriage lasted. For marriages of at least ten but under twenty years — or shorter marriages that qualify through family violence — maintenance can run up to five years. Marriages of twenty to under thirty years allow up to seven years, and marriages of thirty years or more allow up to ten. Even within those ceilings, the court must order maintenance for the shortest reasonable period that lets the receiving spouse earn enough to meet their minimum reasonable needs, unless a disability or the care of a disabled child makes that impractical. A Georgetown order that ignores these caps invites a later challenge, so getting the duration right the first time matters.
How property division affects maintenance
Spousal maintenance is never decided in a vacuum — in a Georgetown divorce it is tightly linked to how the marital estate is split. Because maintenance turns on whether a spouse can meet their minimum reasonable needs, a larger share of cash, retirement accounts, or income-producing property can reduce or even eliminate the need for ongoing payments. Retirement assets divided through a qualified domestic relations order, in particular, can reshape both sides’ long-term picture. The disability exception can also extend maintenance beyond the usual duration caps when a spouse or a child of the marriage has a disabling condition. We look at duration, amount, and the property division together, so the overall settlement actually works rather than solving one piece while breaking another.
Working with us from Georgetown
Our downtown Austin office is about 30 miles south of Georgetown, a 35-to-40-minute drive on I-35. Most Georgetown spouses handle a maintenance matter by phone, video, and e-signature.
At SMB Law, PC you work directly with attorney Shane M. Boasberg, who has represented Texans for more than two decades and has been licensed by the State of Texas since 2003. We explain things in plain English, give you a plan instead of more stress, and keep you informed from your first confidential consultation through final resolution.
Why clients choose SMB Law, PC
Direct attorney access — you talk to Shane, licensed since 2003, not a call center.
Honest advice — if a fight is not worth the cost, we say so.
Transparent fees explained before you commit.
What working with us looks like
Confidential consultation to understand your goals and the law that applies.
Strategy and records tailored to your situation.
Negotiation or court — we settle when we can and litigate when we must.
Resolution implemented correctly so you can move on.
It depends on the length of the marriage: up to five years for 10-to-20-year marriages, up to seven for 20-to-30, and up to ten for 30-plus, with disability exceptions.
Does the court have to order the maximum duration?
No. The court must order maintenance for the shortest reasonable period that lets the receiving spouse meet their minimum reasonable needs, subject to disability exceptions.
Where is a Georgetown spousal support case heard?
At the Williamson County Justice Center in Georgetown, since the city is the county seat.
Can a larger share of property replace maintenance?
Often, yes. Receiving income-producing assets or more of the savings can meet a spouse’s minimum reasonable needs and reduce or eliminate the basis for ongoing maintenance.