Yes, spousal maintenance is a court-ordered payment to your former spouse following a divorce. Factors such as the length of your marriage and the difference in earnings between former spouses all contribute to the amount of spousal maintenance a Judge may award. Texas, unlike other states, is distinctive as the law limits the amount of spousal maintenance that can be awarded to a spouse.
On the other hand, spousal support (sometimes referred to as contractual alimony) is a contractual obligation that would not be ordered by the Court. To get Spousal Support, you and your spouse must agree to such provisions in your final divorce documents and from there, it becomes a contractual obligation. The amount and duration for which spousal support is received in Texas are not limited by the court in the way spousal maintenance is.