Spousal support, also known as alimony, can help to make the economic outcome of divorce fairer. When there is a significant gap in the income of the spouses or if one spouse focused on home services more than employment, the spouse with the lower income can petition the courts for spousal support.
Provided that there is a need for support and the other spouse has the ability to pay, the courts may order one spouse to temporarily augment the monthly income of the other. The amount of support and how long payments last depend on unique details about the marriage, such as how long it lasted.
Typically, spousal support orders only last a set amount of time. If one of the spouses starts a new relationship before their spousal support order ends, can that new relationship alter spousal support obligations?
Some relationships affect support orders
If the spouse paying support begins another long-term relationship or remarries, their new marital responsibilities do not eliminate their obligations through the support order. They typically continue paying support until their order ends.
However, a new relationship started by the recipient spouse could affect their continued eligibility for spousal maintenance. The remarriage of a recipient spouse usually terminates their eligibility for continued support payments. In fact, permanently cohabitating with a new romantic partner can also be grounds to terminate social support.
Any substantial change in either spouse’s financial circumstances might warrant a review of spousal support. Those preparing to petition the courts for support, respond to a petition or request modifications may need legal guidance to understand the rules that govern Texas spousal support, and that’s okay.
