Spousal support in Texas refers to a voluntary arrangement between divorcing spouses, wherein one spouse agrees to provide financial support to the other. It is treated like a contract and is enforceable as such. Spousal maintenance, on the other hand, is a court-ordered obligation that may be awarded in certain circumstances. It is determined based on specific criteria outlined in the Texas Family Code, considering factors such as the duration of the marriage and the requesting spouse's ability to support themselves. Spousal maintenance is meant to provide financial assistance to the spouse in need for a specific duration.