How Child Support Is Calculated in Texas

What Factors Affect Child Support Calculations in Texas

Concern about child support can arise quickly, especially when rent is due, daycare costs keep rising, or a new court date appears on your calendar.

Most parents are not trying to “win” child support; they are trying to keep life steady for their child while two households run on real budgets.

Texas uses a guideline system that is fairly predictable once you know the steps, but small details can swing the final number.

These guidelines affect how child support is calculated in Texas, what counts as income, and when the court can move up or down from the recommended amount. If you need help, our attorneys at Murrah & Killough, PLLC can work to obtain the support you deserve.

Please call (281) 501-1601 or contact us online for a confidential case review. 

The Basic Idea Behind Texas Child Support

In most cases, the parent who does not have the primary right to decide where the child lives pays child support. Texas refers to that parent as the “obligor.” The other parent is the “obligee.” The court begins with monthly net resources and then applies a percentage based on the number of children.

We can help you spot issues that often get missed, like irregular pay, job perks, or insurance costs that should be credited the right way.

Finding Monthly Net Resources

Texas does not base support on gross pay alone. The court considers “net resources,” a defined term under Texas Family Code Section 154.062. Net resources typically begin with income from multiple sources, not solely a base salary.

Common examples include wages, overtime, tips, bonuses, dividend income, self-employment income, severance pay, retirement benefits, and certain government benefits.

Deductions then come off the top to reach net resources. Some of the most common items the court subtracts include:

• Social Security Taxes: A required payroll tax that is taken out of most paychecks.
• Federal Income Taxes: Calculated as if the person files as a single taxpayer.
• Health and Dental Coverage for the Child: Premium costs, or cash medical support, if paid by the support payor.
• Union Dues: Amounts required as a condition of employment.
• Certain Retirement Contributions: Only in the limited situation where the person does not pay Social Security taxes.

Applying the Guideline Percentages

After net resources are set, Texas law applies guideline percentages. This is the part most people have heard about, but it only makes sense after the net resources step is done. The standard guideline percentages for child support in Texas include the following:

• One Child: 20 Percent of Net Resources.
• Two Children: 25 Percent of Net Resources.
• Three Children: 30 Percent of Net Resources.
• Four Children: 35 Percent of Net Resources.
• Five Children: 40 Percent of Net Resources.
• Six or More Children: At Least 40 Percent of Net Resources.

Checking the Net Resources Cap

Texas applies the guideline percentages to net resources up to a monthly cap. As of September 1, 2025, the net resources cap is $11,700 per month, but that amount is subject to legislative adjustment. If net resources exceed the cap, the court may still order additional support.

However, the court will not do so automatically. 

At Murrah & Killough, PLLC, our child support lawyers can be useful in higher-income cases because the discussion often shifts from a simple percentage to evidence about the child’s proven needs and what is reasonable under the facts.

If the Numbers Do Not Add Up, Contact an Attorney Right Away

If the numbers you are seeing do not match what you actually earn, or if the other parent’s income story keeps changing, a short case evaluation can help you test the calculation before you agree to an order. 

Child support calculations often intersect with divorce, custody, modification, and enforcement proceedings, and reviewing income documentation, net resource deductions, and guideline percentages before signing an order can prevent long-term financial mistakes.

When the Court Can Deviate From the Guidelines

Texas law begins with the premise that guideline support is in the child’s best interest. However, the court can order a different amount when the facts justify it. Judges may consider several factors when changing a guideline number. These reasons include: 

• The Child’s Needs and Healthcare Costs: Ongoing medical care, therapy, prescriptions, or special-needs supports.
• Parenting Time Realities: A schedule that shifts costs more heavily to one household.
• Child Care Expenses: Work-related daycare or after-school care that is necessary and documented.
• Travel Costs for Visitation: Long-distance parenting plans that create steady transportation expenses.
• Parents’ Resources Beyond Wages: Assets and other resources that affect the obligor’s ability to pay.

Our family law attorneys also help keep a request for deviation from state guidelines focused. Doing so is important, since courts tend to want clear proof and a clear explanation of why the guideline result does not fit the child’s day-to-day needs.

Why Murrah & Killough, PLLC?

Parents often state that they want three things from the process: a correctly calculated number, a clearly written order, and a plan for what happens if circumstances change. Our Murrah & Killough, PLLC child support lawyers can help turn the math into a practical plan. This plan will include what documents to gather, how to present irregular income, and how to frame a modification request when the current order no longer fits the facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if the Paying Parent Is Unemployed or Underemployed?

Texas courts can assign income based on earning capacity rather than actual wages if a parent is intentionally unemployed or working below their skill level. Evidence about work history, education, and job opportunities can influence the calculation.

Does Child Support Automatically End When a Child Turns 18?

In many cases, support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Orders may also extend in situations involving disability, so the specific terms of the decree should be reviewed carefully.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas If Net Resources Are Under $1,000?

Lower-income guidelines may apply, with reduced percentages relative to the standard schedule. 

When Can Child Support Be Modified After an Order Is Signed?

A modification usually requires a legal basis, like a substantial change in circumstances or a guideline-based review point. The specific facts matter, so job loss, custody changes, or major shifts in a child’s needs should be documented early. We can help you compare the current order to current net resources and decide whether a court filing or an agency review path makes more sense.

Please Do Not Hesitate to Call Our Child Support Lawyers for Guidance on Calculations

If you are close to signing a child support order, or you already have one that feels off, it is worth running the numbers carefully one more time.

How child support is calculated in Texas can look simple on the surface, but a small mistake in net resources, insurance credits, or multiple household adjustments can follow you for years.

A quick review with a lawyer can confirm whether the guideline math was applied correctly and whether the proposed order protects your rights.

Murrah & Killough, PLLC brings courtroom strength and careful, document-focused preparation in Houston, so you can sign with confidence or push back with clear proof. You can schedule a case evaluation by using our online form or calling (281) 501-1601.