Williamson County, TX · Free Consultation
Round Rock, TX Spousal Support Lawyer
Texas does not hand out alimony freely — the law starts from the assumption that both spouses will support themselves after divorce. If you need spousal maintenance in Round Rock, or your spouse is asking for it, SMB Law, PC makes sure the eligibility rules are applied honestly to your facts.
Many Round Rock spouses are surprised to learn how narrow the door to court-ordered maintenance is, and how much the outcome turns on meeting specific statutory thresholds rather than on what simply feels fair.
Where a Round Rock spousal support case is handled
Round Rock sits primarily in Williamson County, so a spousal maintenance request is decided as part of the divorce filed with the Williamson County District Clerk at the Justice Center in Georgetown. Most terms are negotiated, but the county court is where a contested maintenance claim is resolved.
Who actually qualifies for spousal maintenance
Texas allows court-ordered spousal maintenance only when the spouse asking for it lacks enough property or income to meet their minimum reasonable needs and one of four gateways applies: the marriage lasted at least ten years; the other spouse was convicted of family violence within roughly two years of filing; the requesting spouse cannot earn enough because of a physical or mental disability; or that spouse cares for a child of the marriage whose disability prevents them from working. Meeting one gateway is only the start — the court still weighs whether maintenance is truly needed. Because the standard is ‘minimum reasonable needs,’ not the marital standard of living, proving up the numbers carefully is where a Round Rock case is won or lost.
What ‘minimum reasonable needs’ really means
The phrase that decides most Round Rock maintenance claims — minimum reasonable needs — has no fixed dollar figure. Texas courts determine it case by case, looking at a spouse’s realistic basic living expenses rather than the lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage. That distinction matters: a comfortable standard of living does not by itself create a right to maintenance. How the marital estate is divided also feeds directly into the question, because a spouse who receives income-producing property or a large share of savings in the divorce may be able to meet those needs without ongoing support. We prepare a clear, documented budget and show how it lines up with the property award, so the maintenance question is decided on real numbers instead of assumptions.
Working with us from Round Rock
Our office is about 20 miles south in downtown Austin, a 25-to-35-minute drive down I-35. We handle most Round Rock spousal support consultations and updates by phone and video.
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.
Family matters in Round Rock rarely stay in one lane โ we also help clients with a disputed divorce, dividing complex assets, and a modification case, and you can learn more from our Austin spousal support attorneys.
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas award alimony automatically?
No. Texas presumes both spouses will support themselves and allows court-ordered maintenance only when a spouse cannot meet their minimum reasonable needs and meets one of the statutory eligibility gateways.
What are the ways to qualify for spousal maintenance?
A marriage of at least ten years, a recent family-violence conviction, a disability that prevents self-support, or caring for a disabled child of the marriage — combined with an inability to meet minimum reasonable needs.
Do I have to go to Georgetown for a Round Rock case?
A contested Williamson County maintenance claim is decided at the Justice Center in Georgetown, but we handle most of the process for Round Rock spouses remotely.
Can I get spousal support in a short Round Rock marriage?
Usually only if it qualifies through a recent family-violence conviction or a disability; otherwise the ten-year threshold generally applies to court-ordered maintenance.
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