Texas Child Support Guidelines
By Susan Buckner, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed March 26, 2025
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Texas child support laws base child support payments on a percentage of the noncustodial parent's income. The amount of child support depends on the noncustodial parent's net monthly income and other financial resources.
Judges write child support orders with the best interests of the child in mind. All support orders contain provisions for health care, education, and other needs. In general, child support is separate from child custody matters. Under Texas law (Texas Family Code § 154.011), a support order can't make child support payments conditional on visitation rights.
Determining Child Support Payments
Courts calculate a parent's child support obligation after determining the obligor's monthly gross income. Income is derived from the parent's net resources and includes:
- All wages, salary, and other compensation
- Self-employment income
- Interest, dividends, and royalties
- Net rental income
- Pensions, unemployment benefits, disability and retirement benefits
The court deducts allowable expenses, including:
- Social Security taxes
- Federal income tax (based on the tax rate for a single person claiming one personal exemption and the standard deductions)
- State income tax
- Union dues (if they are withheld)
- Expenses for health insurance coverage for obligor's children (if these payments are withheld).
Using the monthly net resources as a guide, the court will then apply a percentage based on the number of children before the court. The guideline child support chart does not state how much child support each additional child must receive. The amount must match the needs of the child before the parents' separation.
Child support must cover the child's food, clothing, shelter, and education needs. The court may order more child support for other needs, such as:
- Medical support
- Dental insurance
- Child care expenses
- Education or medical coverage for special needs children
If the obligor has health care or dental coverage for the child through employer health insurance, the order divides the cost by the number of dependents (§ 154.062). Court orders can include a requirement to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Texas Child Support Guidelines at a Glance
If you owe child support or are trying to secure support for your child, an attorney can handle the finer points of Texas family law. The following charts will help you get a general sense of child support guidelines.
| Statutes | Texas Family Code Section 154.001, et seq. (Support of Child) |
|---|---|
| Standard child support guidelines | Child support amounts are based on a percentage of the monthly net resources of the obligor and the number of children:
Note: These guidelines apply to situations in which the obligor's monthly net resources are no greater than $7,000 (this amount is adjusted every six years). |
| Monthly child support calculator | While the court will have the final say on child support amounts, 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 laws before making any legal decision.
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Texas Child Support Guidelines: Related Resources
Get Legal Advice From a Texas Family Law Attorney
Courts have discretion to modify or deviate from child support guidelines. If parents write their own support agreement, a judge may approve it if it meets other legal requirements. If you have questions or concerns about your child support payments, consult an experienced Texas child support attorney to ensure you get the right answers.
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