When going through a divorce, one of the most contentious issues can be spousal support, commonly known as alimony. Typically, the spouse who is financially stronger makes the payments to the other by the amounts and timeframes set by the court during the divorce proceedings. While there is no difference between spousal support and alimony, there is a difference between alimony and child support. While child support is the statement of financial assistance for both the child and their custodial parent, spousal support or alimony is the financial assistance awarded to the former spouse. Both agreements require complex negotiation and can be challenging to reach a satisfactory resolution without the aid of an attorney who specializes in both areas.
Knowledgeable legal representation is critical to ensure that your rights and needs are protected when it comes to getting your ex-spouse to pay spousal payments. BB Law Group PLLC will work to help you resolve issues in the most agreeable manner possible, but if your spouse refuses to cooperate, we will fight on your behalf and your children’s behalf and will pursue every legal avenue possible to get you the support you need.
Our Woodlands spousal support law firm services clients in the Woodlands and surrounding areas. Our team is prepared to help you with your spousal support case, while also handling related issues, including divorce, separation, child custody and support, alimony, and other legal issues. Contact a Woodlands spousal support lawyer today at (832) 534-2589 to discuss the specifics of your situation with the attorney that so many others in  this area trust to protect their family.
Do I Need An Attorney?
If you are considering divorce from your spouse, you likely are wondering about how the process works and how you will be able to move on with your life. You are likely worried about yourself and your children, and you may have questions about financial support and other needs. You want to work with an attorney that you can trust, and one that you know has your best interests in mind at all times. A divorce is often accompanied by emotional pain and stress, but ultimately, it may turn out to be the best decision for all involved.
Why Choose Us?
Trial Attorney Bryan J. Bleibdrey and the entire team at the BB Law Group PLLC understand the legal complexities as well as the emotional implications of divorce and spousal support issues. Bryan leads a firm that acts by the highest ethical standards, understands the concerns of the individual client, and is committed to providing exceptional service.
Some of the factors that distinguish BB Law Group PLLC from other family attorneys are our attention to our clients and our commitment to their needs. We value transparent, open, and honest communication with the people that we serve. The firm has the experience and dedication to navigate the legal system to get your desired results. We give each of our clients’ cases the thorough care and attention that they deserve. Our experienced team is happy to review any of your concerns with you at any time so feel free to contact our offices at (832) 534-2589.
Cases We Handle
At the BB Law Group PLLC, we understand that divorce proceedings are an emotional and complicated process, and we are willing to go the extra mile for our clients. In addition to the spousal support/alimony issues, our firm covers numerous closely related areas of family law, including but not limited to adoption, divorce, child custody, child support, paternity actions, property division, domestic violence and restraining orders and mediation and arbitration. It is recommended to consult with an experienced Woodlands spousal support attorney from BB Law Group PLLC who can assist you in:
- Temporary alimony / spousal support – We are prepared to help you if you need to secure temporary alimony or if you need to set up a long-term spousal support agreement.
- Modifying alimony – Modifying an existing alimony arrangement can be difficult without the help of an experienced attorney on your side. Contact us today to learn about your options.
- Enforcing alimony – If your spouse has failed to uphold their legally-binding agreement, contact us to discuss how we can help you take action to secure the alimony payments you are owed.
Whether you will be paying spousal support or receiving alimony, our knowledgeable team is ready to assist you, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you in your time of need.
When it comes to spousal support, ensuring that both you and your children are being treated fairly after a divorce can be somewhat challenging. That’s why we will work hard to ensure that your needs are met and you get the support that you are owed by law.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spousal Support
For your convenience, the skilled Woodlands spousal support attorneys have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions and answers to give you a basic understanding of what to expect from the separation and divorce process.
What is family law?
Family law handles the legal issues surrounding family relationships, including but not limited to marriage, divorce, separation, adoption, child custody, child support, property division, domestic violence and restraining orders, alimony, and mediation and arbitration. A skilled family law professional can help you protect your rights, your finances, and your child or children’s well-being through a variety of family-related legal disputes. For example, an experienced spousal support lawyer can help you arrive at a fair, satisfactory divorce settlement.
Can alimony payments be enforced if my ex-spouse won’t pay?
If one spouse makes more than the other spouse, they may be legally required to pay alimony payments to their ex for a certain specified period of time. If your spouse fails to pay or pays less than the required amount, a lawyer may be able to help you pursue additional legal action to enforce these payments. You should not have to suffer financial hardship due to an ex-spouse’s refusal to pay what they are obligated to pay you, so don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer today.
Can alimony payments change?
Alimony payments may indeed change if there is a change in the incomes of the ex-spouses in question. If the receiving spouse’s financial situation improves due to a new job or remarriage, their payment amount may be reduced or eliminated completely. If their situation worsens, the payments may actually increase. The state of Texas allows for changes over time in order to assist the dependent spouse to achieve financial independence on their own over time.
Do I still need an attorney if my spouse and I agree to our divorce terms?
In uncontested divorces, spouses agree on their divorce settlement terms, including those involving commonly contested issues such as alimony, child support, child custody and visitation, property division, and debt division. However, many people undergoing uncontested divorce still have questions that arise during their divorce negotiations, so having an attorney who is familiar with your case can be highly beneficial because you will always have someone available to answer your questions and avoid any potential conflicts.
Divorce Statistics
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people decide to divorce, for various reasons. The Texas Health and Human Services track state divorce rates, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows nationwide rates.
- In 2014, there were 813,862 divorces in the U.S.
- In 2014, the divorce rate in Texas was 2.7 percent while the national average was 3.2 percent
From 2012 through 2015, Texas divorces have been on the steady decline every year. According to Texas Health & Human Services, Department of State Health Services:
- In 2012, there were 80,030 divorces in Texas, at a rate of 3.0
- In 2013, there were 76,423 divorces in Texas, at a rate of 2.9
- In 2014, there were 71,988 divorces in Texas, at a rate of 2.7*
Also, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, in 2015 the rate of divorce was still on the decline at 2.6. While Texas may be below the national average, these rates are still high in numbers.
*(Rates are based on provisional counts of divorces by the state of occurrence. Rates are per 1,000 total population residing in the area).
Contact Us Today
The spousal support attorneys at the BB Law Group PLLC are committed to our friends and neighbors here in the Woodlands, we always put you and your children first, and we will seek every legal avenue to help get the results you need. If you need assistance regarding a spousal support agreement, it is essential to have an experienced legal team on your side to ensure that you get the fair treatment that you deserve. Complete our online form, chat live or contact a Woodlands spousal support lawyer at the BB Law Group PLLC today at (832) 534-2589.