Spousal Maintenance is the term used in Texas for spousal support paid after the marriage by one party to the other. This support is sometimes known as "alimony" outside of Texas. In determining whether one party should pay maintenance to the other, courts will usually look at the present and prospective earning capacities of the parties, the length of the marriage, the parties needs, the ages of the parties, the parties' overall financial situation, and whether one party contributed to the education or career of the other, among other considerations. Fault will not usually be a factor for the court to consider. There are general guidelines for the amount of maintenance to be awarded when appropriate. These guidelines typically will take into account the disparity between the parties’ gross incomes and the length of the marriage in determining the amount of maintenance.