Understanding Texas Child Support Guidelines
If you’re going through a custody or support case in Texas, one of the most common questions is:
“How much child support will I have to pay or receive?”
Texas law sets out very specific guidelines for calculating child support. These guidelines are based on the Texas Family Code, which considers two main factors:
- The number of children before the court, and
- The number of other children the parent has a duty to support (for example, children from another relationship).
The chart below shows how those percentages are typically applied to a parent’s net monthly resources (after taxes, Social Security, and certain deductions).
How the Percentages Work
The percentages above are applied to the parent’s net resources, which can include:
- Wages and salary
- Self-employment income
- Bonuses, overtime, and commissions
- Retirement and disability benefits
The law currently caps the amount of income subject to guideline support at $11,700 in net resources per month (as of Sept. 2025). The court can order more than the guideline amount only if it finds that the child’s proven needs exceed that limit.
Adjustments for Other Children
If the paying parent supports other children from a different relationship, the percentage is reduced — as shown in the left column of the chart. This ensures that all children receive fair support and that one case does not unfairly reduce the parent’s ability to support others.
Can the Court Deviate from the Guidelines?
Yes. Judges have discretion to increase or decrease support if applying the standard guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. The court may consider special circumstances, such as:
- The child’s medical or educational needs
- Shared or split custody arrangements
- Each parent’s income and resources
- Travel costs for visitation
- Any proven financial hardship
Modifying Child Support
Either parent can request a modification if there has been:
- A material and substantial change in circumstances, such as job loss or income increase, or
- The order is more than three years old, and the new calculation would differ by at least $100 or 20%.
Click HERE to calculate your child support.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article or visiting this website does not create an attorney–client relationship. Child support calculations can vary based on specific facts and local court practice. For personalized advice, consult a Texas family law attorney about your particular case.