Texas Child Support, Calculated Right
Child support in Texas runs on a guideline formula, but “running the calculator” misses the actual fight in most cases. The real questions are: what counts as income, what offsets apply, and whether the guideline number is even the right number for your situation.
How Texas Calculates Child Support
Texas uses a percentage-of-net-resources model. The paying parent’s net monthly resources (income minus certain mandatory deductions) are multiplied by a percentage based on the number of children before the court:
- 1 child: 20%
- 2 children: 25%
- 3 children: 30%
- 4 children: 35%
- 5 or more children: at least 40%
These percentages can be adjusted downward if the paying parent supports other children, and can be applied to a capped amount of net resources (currently $9,200/month, updated periodically by the Texas Attorney General).
What Counts as Income
“Net resources” is broader than a paycheck. It includes self-employment earnings, bonuses, commissions, rental income, dividends, retirement distributions, severance, and unemployment benefits. For business owners and high earners, getting this number right requires actual work — not just plugging W-2 income into a formula.
When the Guideline Isn't the Right Number
Courts can order above or below guideline support when the circumstances justify it. Common reasons:
- A child has extraordinary medical or educational needs
- Net resources exceed the statutory cap
- The paying parent has significantly more or less time with the child than a standard schedule
- One parent has voluntarily reduced their income
- Substantial assets exist outside reported income
Medical and Dental Support
In Texas, child support orders also address health insurance and dental insurance for the children. Usually one parent provides coverage and the other reimburses a portion. We make sure the order spells out who pays what for uncovered medical expenses — this is where post-decree fights usually start.
Enforcing a Support Order
If a parent isn’t paying, Texas has real teeth: wage withholding, license suspension, contempt of court, and in serious cases, jail. We handle enforcement actions when it gets to that point, and we work to avoid arrears in the first place by getting the order written tightly.
Modifying Child Support
Support can be modified if there’s a material change — a job loss, a significant income shift, a change in the child’s needs, or three years passing with at least a 20% or $100/month difference under current numbers. See for how that works.
Why Get a Lawyer Involved
The Texas Attorney General’s office handles child support too, but they represent the State’s interest, not yours. If your case has any complexity — variable income, business ownership, custody mixed in, or a parent likely to underreport — you want your own attorney running the numbers.
Book Your Free Case Evaluation
A real call with a real human. No pressure, no pitch — just a warm conversation about where you are and how we can help. We’ll listen first.
