A decade is a long time, and if that’s how long it’s been since you first said “I do” when gazing into the eyes of your spouse, dissolving your marriage now may be both legally and emotionally complicated. To be sure, the longer that a couple is together, the more challenging separating assets–and feelings–can be. If you’re thinking of parting ways, here’s a look into what you should know about divorce after 10 years of marriage in Texas.
10-YEAR MARRIAGE AND ASSET DIVISION
As stated above, the longer a couple has been together, the more difficult it can be to divide assets. Regardless of the length of a marriage, though, Texas holds that when a couple parts ways, property must be divided in a manner that is just and equitable. For couples who have been together for 10 years or more, property that may be up for division might include:
● Real estate;
● Vehicles;
● Personal assets (jewelry, technology, furniture, etc.);
● A personal business;
● Retirement accounts;
● Pension; and
● More.
As a note, keep in mind that an ex-spouse can also claim benefits of their former spouse’s Social Security record if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer.
DIVORCE AND ALIMONY – MARRIAGE LENGTH MATTERS
Not only may your divorce case be more complicated by having more shared assets if you’ve been married for a significant amount of time, but the amount of alimony that you may be ordered to pay, or may be eligible to receive, can differ, too.
Whether or not a spouse will be awarded alimony, also referred to as spousal maintenance, is dependent upon a number of factors. For how long the spousal maintenance award will last, however, is capped based on the length of the marriage. To be sure, a marriage that lasted between 10 and 20 years may result in a spousal maintenance award, but such award can only last for up to five years. If your marriage lasted 20 years or more, you can receive alimony for up to seven years. For more than 30 years’ worth of marriage, you may be entitled to up to 10 years’ of support payments. These guidelines do not apply if a spouse is disabled or if there is a disabled child of the marriage.
YOU NEED A DIVORCE ATTORNEY WHO UNDERSTANDS ISSUES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO YOU
Couples who are divorcing after 10 or more years of marriage may face unique issues, ranging from alimony to property division, child support to child custody and more. When you are seeking a divorce after 10 years of marriage, you want an advocate on your side who understands what you’re going through and how to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
At the Law Office of Ben Carrasco, we can help. Attorney Ben Carrasco is experienced and passionate, and always puts his clients first. To schedule a consultation, please call our office today or send us a message at your convenience.