There is alimony in Texas. After a minimum time requirement of marriage you can ask for spousal support. A modified alimony law took effect Sept 2011:
A new Texas alimony law went into effect this month, and it isn’t friendly to alimony obligors. Changes include:
1) Longer payment periods.
2) Recipient is no longer required to look for work or get career counseling. The only requirement now is that they show they need alimony to provide for their minimum reasonable needs.
3) Limits on levels of payment has been raised.
4) Makes an exception for DV victims, who now need not provide proof that they need alimony to provide for their minimum reasonable needs.
It should be noted that Texas alimony law generally has been fairer to obligors than those of most states, and is certainly more equitable than Massachusetts, California, or Florida law.