Texas Child Support Calculations

Texas child support guidelines ensure that parents continue to support their minor children after a divorce or legal separation. Generally, the noncustodial parent becomes the obligor, but Texas law lets the court order child support from either or both parents.

Courts calculate a child support obligation by totaling both parents' monthly gross incomes and deducting monthly expenses. This net income calculation considers the number of children. It also includes how much time the children spend with each parent.

The Child Support Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office enforces child support orders. The OAG can't enforce child custody and visitation orders. You must contact a family law attorney immediately if you have child custody issues.

What Is Child Support in Texas?

Texas child support laws ensure that a child continues to enjoy the same standard of living after parents divorce or separate. To determine how much child support the paying parent owes, courts calculate the needs of the child based on the monthly net resources of both parents.

Parents must provide food, clothing, shelter, and basic educational needs for their minor children. This lasts until the child is 18 or graduates from high school. Child support payments may include:

• Health insurance and dental insurance
• Child care expenses
• Extra child support if the child has special needs

Parents can agree on the amount of child support. Judges will approve private agreements if they meet legal requirements and are otherwise fair and equitable.

Texas Child Support Calculations

Texas Family Code § 154.125 applies a standard percentage formula to the parents' net monthly income (after deductions). This determines the base child support amount. Judges have discretion to consider other factors. These include the parent's income and ability to pay, when making the final support order.

Net Resources Calculated for Determination of Child Support Liability

When determining child support amounts, the court will consider the following sources of income:

• All wages, salary income, and other compensation including unemployment benefits
• Annuities, dividends, and trust income
• Self-employment income
• Net rental income (rent after deduction of expenses and mortgage payments)
• Pensions, disability benefits, and Social Security payments (but not SSI)
• Alimony and spousal support (but not child support payments for other children)

Some sources of income are not included when calculating child support amounts:

• Return of principal or capital
• Accounts receivable
• TANF or other public support payments
• Foster care payments

Deductions

When calculating the net monthly income, the court deducts mandatory and court-ordered payments and allowable expenses:

• Social Security taxes
• Federal income taxes
• State income taxes
• Union dues (if any)
• Court-ordered health insurance, dental insurance, or other medical support
• Retirement plan contributions

Imputed Income

Sometimes a parent appears to make less than what they could earn due to intentional unemployment or underemployment. The recipient parent can request the court impute income. The court will base the child support payment on the parent's earning potential. The obligor parent must show their inability to secure a better-paying job and their continued lack of income.

Monthly Child Support Calculator

The court will have the final say on child support amounts. But the Office of the Attorney General of Texas provides a Monthly Child Support Calculator to help you get a general idea.

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) before making any legal decisions.

Research the Law

• Official State Codes
• Texas Statutes and Constitution

Texas Child Support Calculations: Related Resources

• Texas Child Support and Custody Modification
• Texas Paternity Suits
• Texas Divorce Laws

Get Legal Advice from a Texas Family Law Attorney

The judge determines the amount of child support, but you need an attorney to modify or enforce your support payments. Get legal advice from an experienced Texas family law attorney if you have any issues with the terms or conditions of your child support order.