When Can I Stop Paying Alimony in Texas?

 Posted on November 07, 2025 in Divorce

Many people who make spousal maintenance (alimony) payments after divorce wonder when those payments can legally end and whether there are ways to change or end them sooner. Chapter 8 of the Texas Family Code sets the rules about when spousal maintenance can be ordered, how long it lasts, and when it can stop.

If you are making alimony payments and think you have a good reason to ask a court to change or end these payments, call our San Antonio family lawyers today. 

What Is Spousal Maintenance Under Texas Law?

Spousal maintenance refers to money one ex-spouse pays the other after a divorce to help meet basic needs. The court can order maintenance only in specific situations, such as when:

• The paying spouse was convicted of domestic violence within two years of filing for divorce.

• The marriage lasted at least 10 years, and the receiving spouse cannot meet their minimum needs despite efforts to do so.

• The receiving spouse cannot work due to a physical or mental disability.

• The receiving spouse has custody of a child who requires ongoing care, preventing them from earning enough income.

Once you have a court order telling you to pay alimony, you cannot stop making payments except for very specific situations.

When Does Alimony End Automatically in Texas?

Texas law lists situations in which spousal maintenance automatically ends. The first is when one spouse dies. Alimony payments end right away when either the paying or receiving spouse passes away. The second situation is when the spouse receiving alimony remarries.

Finally, if the spouse receiving payments starts living with a new partner, this could justify ending alimony. However, you have to show the court that the spouse’s new partner is a romantic partner and they are living together on a continuing basis.

With the first two situations, no court paperwork has to be filed. But if you want to stop making alimony payments because your partner is living with someone new, you have to file a motion to terminate with the court. 

Can My Ex and I Just Agree to End Alimony Payments?

In some cases, people agree on their own to stop or reduce alimony before the official end date. If this happens, the agreement should be filed with the court and approved by a judge to make it legally binding. Verbal or informal arrangements are risky and do not protect either party if one person denies the agreement later.

Call a San Antonio, TX Alimony Lawyer Today

Ending or changing alimony payments takes an understanding of Texas law and the specific terms of your divorce decree. At Brandon Wong & Associates, our Bexar County spousal maintenance attorneys practice family law exclusively. We help our clients deal with complex issues such as petitioning to end alimony or proving that a former spouse is cohabitating with a new partner. 

Call 210-201-3832 today to schedule a consultation with an experienced member of our team.