Texas calculates child support based on the paying parent's monthly net resources — roughly what's left of their income after taxes and a few specific deductions. The court applies a set percentage to that number based on how many children are covered. For one child, that percentage is 20%. For two children, it's 25%. The formula runs up to 40% for five or more children. As of September 2025, those percentages apply to the first $11,700 in monthly net resources.
How Texas defines "net resources" and what gets subtracted from your income, the guideline percentages by number of children, the 2025 income cap increase, a worked example with real numbers, what happens when you support children in more than one household, and when a judge can order a different amount.
What Texas calls "net resources"
Most states use "net income" for child support. Texas uses a term called net resources, and the definition matters because it's broader than what you might expect.
Net resources start with gross income — salary, wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, rental income, interest, dividends, and most government benefits all count. The court then subtracts only four things:
- Federal income taxes — calculated at the single-filer rate, regardless of how you actually file
- Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA)
- Union dues, if applicable
- The actual cost of health and dental insurance for the children covered by the order
That's it. State income taxes are not deducted. Retirement contributions are not deducted. Car payments, rent, and other living expenses are not deducted. Texas courts look at a fairly wide slice of what you earn, which often means the net resources number is higher than people expect when they first hear the term "net."
One thing worth knowing: the health insurance deduction covers only the children's portion of the premium — not your total premium. If your employer plan costs you $400/month and adding your child costs an additional $120/month, only the $120 is deducted.
The guideline percentages
Once net resources are calculated, Texas applies a fixed percentage based on the number of children being supported. The percentages below apply when the paying parent is supporting children in one household only.
| Number of children | Percentage of net resources | Max monthly payment (at $11,700 cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | $2,340 |
| 2 children | 25% | $2,925 |
| 3 children | 30% | $3,510 |
| 4 children | 35% | $4,095 |
| 5 or more children | 40% | $4,680 |
These percentages are guidelines, not guarantees. A judge can deviate from them under specific circumstances — more on that below. But in most cases, if your net resources fall under the cap, the formula produces a straightforward number.
The income cap — updated September 2025
On September 1, 2025, Texas raised its child support income cap from $9,200 to $11,700 in monthly net resources. This is a 27% increase, meant to account for inflation since the last adjustment. The new cap applies to all orders entered or modified on or after that date.
The cap means the guideline percentages only apply to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources. If the paying parent earns more than that, courts generally presume the cap amount is sufficient — but they can order more if the child's actual proven needs require it.
In practice, the cap affects relatively few cases. Most families going through divorce in Texas have a paying parent with net resources well under $11,700/month. But for higher-income households, the cap is a significant number to understand. A parent with $20,000 in monthly net resources does not owe 20% of $20,000 ($4,000). Under the guidelines, they'd owe 20% of $11,700 ($2,340) for one child — unless the court finds the child's needs require more.
Worked Example — Single-income household, one child
This is a hypothetical example using round numbers to show how the formula works in practice.
The paying parent earns $5,500/month in gross wages as a salaried employee. They pay $180/month to add their child to their employer's health plan.
Applying the guideline percentage for one child:
If this parent were supporting two children instead:
This is a simplified estimate. Actual tax withholding, deduction amounts, and court orders may vary. Always verify with a licensed family law attorney in Texas.
What if you support children in more than one household?
Texas has a separate set of adjusted percentages for parents who are already paying child support for children in another household, or who have children living with them from a different relationship. This matters because applying the full guideline percentage to each household separately could produce an obligation that exceeds what's reasonable given the paying parent's total income.
Under Texas Family Code §154.129, courts use adjusted tables that reduce the percentage applied to each household. The exact adjustment depends on how many children are in each household. As an example, a parent supporting one child in each of two separate households may owe a lower percentage for each child than the standard 20% guideline would suggest.
If this applies to your situation, the adjusted tables are something to discuss specifically with a Texas family law attorney — the math gets more complex quickly, and the right outcome depends heavily on the specific numbers in your case.
When a judge can order a different amount
Texas courts start with the guideline number. But under Texas Family Code § 154.123, a judge may deviate from that amount if applying the guideline would be "unjust or inappropriate" given the circumstances.
Factors courts may consider when deciding whether to deviate include:
- The child's age and specific needs — including extraordinary medical, educational, or psychological expenses
- The amount of time each parent spends with the child
- Childcare costs the custodial parent pays in order to work
- Travel costs associated with the custody and visitation schedule
- Whether either parent supports other children
- Significant income disparity between the parents beyond what the formula captures
- Any property or assets being divided that affect each parent's financial picture
The party asking for a deviation — whether upward or downward — generally carries the burden of showing why the guideline amount doesn't serve the child's best interest. Courts don't deviate casually. The guideline number is the presumptive starting point, and it takes real facts to move away from it.
How custody time affects child support in Texas
Here's something that surprises many Texas parents: the amount of time you spend with your child does not automatically reduce your child support obligation the way it does in some other states.
States like California build parenting time directly into the child support formula — more overnights means a lower support obligation by design. Texas doesn't work that way. The standard guideline percentages apply regardless of how the custody schedule is arranged. Equal possession time does not automatically produce a lower payment.
A judge can consider parenting time as a reason to deviate from the guidelines — but that's a discretionary decision, not a built-in adjustment. If you have a 50/50 or near-equal custody arrangement and believe that should affect the support amount, that argument needs to be made explicitly to the court, not assumed.
Texas courts often use what's called the Standard Possession Order — typically every other weekend, one weeknight per week during the school year, and extended time during summer. This schedule does not automatically change the guideline child support calculation. The formula is based on net resources and number of children, not overnights.
How long does child support last in Texas?
In most cases, Texas child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If a child is still in high school at 18, support generally continues through graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.
Support may also continue beyond 18 for a child with a disability that requires ongoing care. Courts can order support for as long as the disability-related need persists, depending on the circumstances.
When a child's disability requires ongoing care and the disability originated before age 18, Texas courts have authority to order support beyond the normal age limits. The duration and amount depend on the specific circumstances and the child's documented needs.
Can Child Support Be Modified in Texas?
Yes. Either parent may request a modification when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order — or when it has been three years since the order was entered and the monthly support amount differs by either 20% or $100 from what the guidelines would produce today. The most common reasons for modification are a significant income change, a change in the custody arrangement, or a change in the child's needs.
The modification process requires filing a motion with the court and providing updated income and custody information. Courts use the same percentage-of-income formula with current figures. Support can go up or down depending on how circumstances have changed.
See how Texas child support estimates apply to your numbers.
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