Spousal Support in Tacoma, Washington – A Practical Guide for Pierce County Residents

In Tacoma and throughout Pierce County, spousal support, officially known as spousal maintenance, is a court-ordered financial arrangement that may be awarded during or after a divorce. Its purpose is to ensure that a lower-earning or financially dependent spouse can maintain a reasonable standard of living and transition toward economic independence. Whether short-term or ongoing, spousal maintenance is guided by Washington’s commitment to fairness and financial equity after marital dissolution.

If you are divorcing in Tacoma, are currently subject to a support order, or considering a post-divorce modification, it’s important to understand how Washington State law governs these decisions. This guide outlines the relevant legal framework, including statutes and key factors considered by judges in Pierce County.

Understanding Community Property in Washington

“Property not acquired or owned, as prescribed in RCW 26.16.010 and 26.16.020, acquired after marriage… is community property.”
— RCW 26.16.030(1)

In Tacoma, community property includes the majority of income and assets earned or acquired by either spouse during the course of the marriage. This may encompass wages, retirement plans, investment accounts, and marital real estate. In spousal support proceedings, Pierce County courts evaluate how community property is divided to determine whether one party requires maintenance to offset any financial imbalance.

Separate Property Acquired Before the Marriage

“Property and pecuniary rights owned by a spouse before marriage… shall not be subject to the debts or contracts of his or her spouse.”
— RCW 26.16.010

Assets owned before the marriage—such as real estate, savings, or inheritance—are usually considered separate property and are not subject to division. However, these assets may still be relevant to the spousal maintenance analysis. If one spouse holds considerable separate wealth, the court may find that little or no financial support is warranted.

How Pierce County Courts Calculate Spousal Maintenance

“The maintenance order shall be in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just… after considering all relevant factors including but not limited to:”
— RCW 26.09.090(1)

Key statutory factors include:

• Financial resources of the spouse requesting support
  “…including separate or community property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently…”
• Time required for education or training
  “…the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment…”
• Marital standard of living
  “…the standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership…”
• Length of the marriage or partnership
  “…the duration of the marriage or domestic partnership…”
• Age and condition of the requesting spouse
  “…the age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance…”
• Ability of the other spouse to pay
  “…The ability of the spouse… to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.”
  

There is no fixed formula for calculating support in Tacoma. Pierce County judges evaluate each case individually, weighing the duration of the marriage, current and future earning potential, and both parties’ financial situations to craft a fair support order.

Eligibility to Request Alimony in Tacoma

“The court may grant a maintenance order… in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just, without regard to misconduct.”
— RCW 26.09.090(1)

Either spouse may request maintenance, regardless of gender or fault in the divorce. What matters is financial necessity and the ability of the other spouse to contribute. Temporary maintenance may be awarded during the divorce process, while long-term support may be appropriate if one spouse needs time to become self-supporting.

Modifying a Spousal Support Order in Tacoma

“The provisions as to property disposition may not be revoked or modified, unless the court finds the existence of conditions that justify the reopening of a judgment…”
— RCW 26.09.170(1)

Spousal maintenance orders in Tacoma can be modified if a substantial change in circumstances occurs. Common examples include involuntary job loss, serious illness, or a significant change in income. While property settlements are final, maintenance orders remain subject to judicial review and adjustment.

Whether you are seeking spousal support, contesting an order, or pursuing a post-divorce modification in Pierce County, understanding your legal rights is essential. Partnering with an experienced Tacoma family law attorney can help ensure your financial interests are protected

Spousal Support in Tacoma – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does community property mean for Tacoma residents seeking divorce?
In Washington, community property refers to most income and assets acquired by either spouse during the course of a marriage. This includes wages, retirement benefits, real estate, and business income, regardless of whose name is on the title. During a divorce, Pierce County courts treat these assets as jointly owned. When considering spousal maintenance, judges assess how community property is divided to determine whether one spouse requires financial support to maintain post-divorce stability.
Helpful Link: Property & Debt Division

2. Will property I owned before the marriage be counted in spousal support?
Assets acquired before the marriage—such as individual bank accounts, homes, or inheritances—are generally classified as separate property. These assets usually remain with the original owner and are not subject to division. However, the court may consider separate wealth when determining whether a spouse should receive or pay support. A party with substantial separate assets may receive reduced support or be expected to contribute more.
Helpful Link: Divorce FAQs

3. How is spousal support determined in Tacoma?
There is no formula for calculating spousal support in Tacoma or anywhere in Washington. Instead, the Pierce County Superior Court considers several factors, including the length of the marriage, the lifestyle maintained during the relationship, and each spouse’s financial situation. The court also weighs future earning potential, education levels, and the time required for either spouse to become self-supporting. Each case is reviewed individually.
Helpful Link: Pierce County Superior Court

4. Who can qualify to receive spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance is available to either spouse, regardless of gender or the reasons for divorce. Washington does not base support on marital fault. Instead, the court focuses on economic need and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Judges may award temporary maintenance while a divorce is pending, or longer-term support depending on the marriage’s financial dynamics and the requesting spouse’s circumstances.
Helpful Link: Dividing Property and Debts

5. Can I change my spousal support order after divorce?
Yes. If your financial or personal situation changes significantly, you can petition the court for a modification of your spousal support order. Common reasons include job loss, medical emergencies, or a notable change in income. The Pierce County Superior Court will examine whether these changes justify altering the existing support arrangement.
Helpful Link: Family Law Forms

Talk to a Tacoma Spousal Support Attorney Who Knows the Law
Spousal support is more than a financial calculation—it’s about building a secure future after divorce. Whether you’re requesting support or responding to a claim for alimony, understanding your legal rights is essential. Every case is different, and the right legal strategy makes a difference.

At the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe, we represent clients in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County in all matters involving spousal maintenance. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, we provide practical guidance and determined advocacy through every step of the process.

Schedule your free consultation today and take control of your financial future with confidence.

Alimony Questions? Our Tacoma Spousal Support Attorneys Can Help

Divorce cases that involve spousal maintenance, also called alimony, can be especially challenging. Washington State doesn’t offer any clearly defined laws on how spousal support is rewarded. For this reason, it is important to talk to one of our Tacoma spousal maintenance lawyers whether you are seeking support or are the one potentially providing alimony.

A qualified Tacoma alimony attorney can also help you make informed decisions regarding your financial future. One thing is certain; you have alimony questions that you would like to have answered. Our Tacoma spousal support attorneys need to understand the specifics of your case, and then they can help in determining the answers. How much alimony will you receive? When should you expect your first spousal maintenance payment? Will child support be awarded in addition to the final alimony judgment?

Spousal support attorneys in Tacoma should help you get a better understanding of the law, and give you a general idea of what you could expect. Still, every spousal maintenance situation is different, but certain factors apply to most alimony cases. Our Tacoma spousal maintenance lawyers will want to determine the standard of living during the marriage, the financial resources of both parties, how long the marriage lasted, and the age and heath of each spouse. The court will also take these factors into consideration, so it’s important that your Tacoma alimony attorney have all of the facts well ahead of time.

Our Tacoma Spousal Maintenance Lawyers Understand the Stakes

A divorce is one of the most stressful life events a person can endure. One of the most important elements is protecting your financial future. One way your Tacoma alimony attorney will help you is to focus on critical goals that seek to protect your personal bottom line. Our Tacoma spousal support attorneys have decades of combined experience, resolving a large number of alimony cases for people just like you.

It doesn’t matter if you are seeking alimony, or are the one who will be required to pay for spousal maintenance, we offer sound advice based on the law and experience handling it on a daily basis. Implementing an aggressive alimony strategy is first and foremost in our plan of action, and you can start implementing your own plan today by contacting us for a free consultation.

Our spousal support attorneys in Tacoma can only help if you make the decision to take that first step. Because spousal maintenance cases are so fact specific, it is virtually impossible to ascertain how the law applies in your alimony case without first getting exact details about you and your marriage. Get an accurate analysis of your alimony case by contacting our team of legal professionals today. Your financial future could depend upon it.