McKinney Alimony Attorney 

Protecting Your Financial Future After Divorce

When a marriage ends, questions about money can feel just as overwhelming as the emotions involved. Whether you are worried about how you will pay your bills without your spouse’s income or concerned that you may be ordered to pay more support than you can afford, an experienced alimony attorney can help you understand where you stand and what options you may have.

Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers has guided North Texas families through divorce and support issues since 1998. With more than 110 years of combined legal experience focused on family law, our attorneys help clients in McKinney and the surrounding Collin County area make informed decisions about spousal maintenance, contractual alimony, and long term financial planning after divorce.

If you are unsure what your rights or obligations might be, you do not have to sort it out alone. Our team works to provide clear explanations, realistic guidance, and step by step support so you can move forward with greater confidence.

To speak with our experienced McKinney alimony lawyers, call us at (940) 293-2313 or contact us online today. 

Why Choose Our Spousal Support Team

Choosing a lawyer to handle alimony or spousal support is not just a legal decision. It is a financial and personal decision that can affect your daily life for years. At Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, clients find a team that combines advanced credentials with a practical, compassionate approach to these difficult issues.

The firm is led by three Texas Board Certified Family Law attorneys, Duane L. Coker, Kelly K. E. Robb, and Jacqueline Cannon. Board Certification comes from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and reflects significant courtroom experience, additional testing, and peer evaluation in a specific area of law. For clients dealing with complex income questions, business ownership, or long marriages, that level of focus can be especially important.

Nearly 40 percent of our attorneys and 80 percent of our paralegals are also Board Certified. This is far above statewide averages and means that when you work with our firm, you benefit from a deep bench of professionals who handle financial discovery, document review, and preparation every day. We operate as a true team, which allows us to match the right people to the right parts of your spousal support matter.

Clients also tell us that communication matters just as much as credentials. Our attorneys and support staff prioritize returning calls, answering emails, and keeping appointments. We strive to explain options in clear language and to be honest about likely costs and tradeoffs so that you can decide what is best for you and your family. Our long record of service to North Texas families and recognition as “Best Family Law Firm” and “Best Law Firm” in Denton County reflect the trust our community has placed in us.

How Texas Spousal Support Works

Many people arrive at our office unsure whether alimony is even available in Texas. The answer is that Texas law allows several types of support after divorce, but the rules are specific and limits often apply. Understanding the framework is the first step toward realistic expectations.

Under the Texas Family Code, what most people think of as alimony is usually called spousal maintenance. Court ordered maintenance is typically available only when certain eligibility requirements are met. Examples include situations involving a long term marriage, a spouse who cannot meet basic needs despite sincere efforts, disability, or the need to care for a child with special needs.

Even when maintenance is an option, there are statutory caps on the amount and duration in many cases. Courts commonly look at factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, property awarded in the divorce, age and health, history of family violence, and contributions as a homemaker. Our goal is to help you understand how these factors might apply to your specific situation, whether you expect to pay or request support.

Separate from spousal maintenance, Texas law also recognizes contractual alimony. This is support that spouses agree to in a settlement, often to tailor payments to their unique financial circumstances. Contractual alimony can provide more flexibility in amount or duration than court ordered maintenance, but it is still subject to enforceability rules. An experienced alimony lawyer can help you evaluate both options and structure an agreement that reflects your priorities while staying within Texas law.

Our Approach to Alimony Cases

Every family’s financial picture is different. Our attorneys take time at the first consultation to listen to your story, review the broad outlines of your income and expenses, and identify your most pressing concerns. Some clients are focused on keeping a home in McKinney, others worry about supporting children while rebuilding a career, and some are approaching retirement and want to protect savings. We work to understand what matters most to you before discussing strategy.

Once we begin working together, our team helps you gather and organize key financial documents. These often include pay stubs, tax returns, bank and investment statements, retirement account information, and a realistic monthly budget. For business owners or self employed individuals, we may review business records or other documentation that reflects actual income. Our attorneys and paralegals then analyze this information to build a clear picture of needs and available resources on both sides.

Many spousal support issues are resolved through negotiation or mediation rather than a contested hearing. In those settings, we aim to present your financial situation clearly and support your position with facts. We talk through possible ranges for payment amounts and duration, discuss how health insurance, retirement accounts, and other benefits may factor in, and help you weigh offers against the likely costs and stress of continued litigation. Our focus is on reaching fair, durable arrangements whenever possible.

When an agreement cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to present your case in the Collin County courts that hear family law matters for McKinney residents. We prepare thoroughly, from organizing exhibits to developing testimony that explains your needs and circumstances in practical terms. While no lawyer can promise a specific outcome, long experience in these courts helps us anticipate the kinds of questions judges may ask and the evidence they usually find helpful.

Throughout the process, we strive to be candid about what the law allows, what the likely financial impact of different options may be, and how legal fees could change depending on the path you choose. This transparency helps you stay in control of your decisions, even in a difficult season.

Modifying or Enforcing Spousal Support

Life rarely stays the same for long. Job changes, health issues, or new family responsibilities can make an existing support order feel unworkable. Other times, a former spouse simply does not follow the order or agreement that was put in place. Our attorneys regularly assist clients in McKinney and throughout Collin County who find themselves in these situations.

Texas law may allow a modification of court ordered spousal maintenance when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances. Examples can include significant loss of income, serious illness, or a substantial increase in the other party’s earnings. Contractual alimony is governed by the terms of the agreement and by contract law, so options can differ. We review your decree or agreement carefully and explain what paths might be available in your case.

Enforcement can become necessary when a person who is ordered to pay support falls behind or stops paying altogether. In appropriate cases, courts in Collin County may have authority to order payment of arrears or take other enforcement actions. Our role is to help you evaluate whether enforcement is practical, gather proof of nonpayment, and represent you in seeking compliance with the order.

If you are struggling to pay an order that no longer reflects your reality, or if you are not receiving the support that was ordered, it is important to get individualized advice before agreeing to informal changes. Our attorneys can talk through your options and help you take thoughtful next steps rather than reacting under pressure.

What To Do About Spousal Support Now

When you are worried about money, it can be tempting to put off decisions or to agree quickly just to end conflict. Taking a few simple steps now can give you a clearer picture and help you feel more prepared for a conversation with a spousal support attorney.

Consider starting with these practical actions:

• Gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, and statements for bank, retirement, and investment accounts.
• Write down your typical monthly expenses, including housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, and debt payments.
• Make a list of your questions about alimony and spousal maintenance, even if they feel basic or emotional.
• Avoid making informal promises or side agreements about support without understanding the legal effect.
• Schedule time to speak with an attorney so you can hear how Texas law might apply to your facts.

You do not need to have every document organized before you contact our firm. Part of our work is helping you identify what information will be most useful. With offices in North Texas and the option of video consultations, Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers offers flexible access for clients who live or work in McKinney and throughout Collin County.

Our goal is to walk beside you, explain your options in plain language, and help you choose a path that reflects your needs and your values. When you are ready to talk about your situation, our team is here to listen.

To speak with our experienced McKinney alimony lawyers, call us at (940) 293-2313 or contact us online today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is spousal support decided in Texas?

Texas courts generally look at need, ability to pay, and specific eligibility rules in the Family Code. Important factors can include length of the marriage, income and earning potential, health, property division, and family violence. Our attorneys help you understand how these factors could apply in your case.

Will I be able to afford your help?

During your initial consultation, we explain our fee structure and talk frankly about how complexity, conflict level, and goals can affect overall cost. We work to balance your objectives with the financial impact of pursuing them so that you can make informed choices about moving forward.

Can your attorneys change my existing support order?

In some situations, it may be possible to seek a modification of court ordered spousal maintenance based on a material and substantial change in circumstances. We review your decree, your current situation, and applicable law, then advise you on whether requesting a change is realistic and worthwhile.

Do I need a Board Certified lawyer for alimony?

A Board Certified lawyer is not legally required, but many clients find it reassuring in complex support matters. Our firm is led by three Texas Board Certified Family Law attorneys, and a large share of our team holds similar credentials, which can add depth to financial analysis and preparation.

How familiar are you with Collin County courts?

Our attorneys have represented clients in Collin County family courts for many years. We are familiar with local procedures and the expectations these courts often have in divorce and support cases involving McKinney residents, which helps us prepare your case and guide you through each step.

To speak with our experienced McKinney alimony lawyers, call us at (940) 293-2313 or contact us online today.