Texas Child Support Calculator

How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

Child support in Texas is governed by the Texas Family Code, which uses a statutory “net resources” model to determine a parent’s monthly child support obligation. Whether you are the parent who pays support or the parent who receives it, understanding this framework is critical to making informed decisions.

Unlike many states that calculate support based on both parents’ combined income, Texas primarily focuses on the net monthly resources of the parent ordered to pay child support (the “obligor”).

The 2025–2026 Statutory Framework

Under Texas Family Code §154.125, child support guidelines are applied to a parent’s net monthly resources, subject to a statutory cap.

For child support orders entered on or after September 1, 2025, the Office of the Attorney General increased the maximum amount of net monthly resources subject to guideline percentages to $11,700.

If a parent’s net resources exceed this cap, the guideline percentages generally apply only to the capped amount. A court may order additional child support only upon evidence of the child’s proven needs, and such additional support is not presumed.

Note: Net resource caps are subject to periodic adjustment under Texas law.

How Texas Courts Calculate “Net Resources”

To determine a parent’s net resources, the court begins with the parent’s gross monthly resources, which may include wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, and other income defined by statute.

The court then subtracts specific deductions permitted under Texas Family Code §154.062, including:

• Federal income tax
  Calculated using statutory assumptions (single filer, standard deduction, and one personal exemption), not actual withholding.

• Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
  Mandatory payroll contributions.

• State income tax, if applicable
  Deductible only if the parent is subject to income tax imposed by another state.

• Union dues
  Required, recurring payments necessary to maintain union membership.

• Medical and dental insurance for the child
  The actual cost of health or dental insurance coverage provided for the child in the case.

The result is the parent’s net monthly resources, which are then used to calculate guideline child support.

Guideline Percentages by Number of Children

Once net resources are determined, Texas applies statutory guideline percentages based on the number of children before the court:

• 1 child: 20% of net resources

• 2 children: 25% of net resources

• 3 children: 30% of net resources

• 4 children: 35% of net resources

• 5 or more children: 40% of net resources

When a parent has a legal duty to support other children outside the current case, Texas law applies a multiple-family adjustment, which reduces the applicable percentage using a statutory table.

Additionally, Texas law provides a reduced guideline schedule for parents whose net resources are below $1,000 per month, recognizing the financial limitations of low-income obligors.

When Guideline Child Support May Change

While guideline child support is presumed reasonable, Texas courts may deviate from the guideline amount when justified by the facts of a particular case.

Factors a court may consider include, among others:

• The specific needs of the child

• Extraordinary medical or educational expenses

• Travel costs associated with possession and access

• Additional financial resources available to either parent

• Any other factor relevant to the child’s best interests

Possession schedules, including equal or near-equal possession arrangements, may be considered as part of the court’s overall analysis, but Texas law does not apply an automatic formula based solely on parenting time.

Why a Strategic Evaluation Matters

A Texas child support calculator provides a valuable starting point, but it cannot account for every factor that may influence a court’s final decision. Understanding where guideline support applies — and where deviations may be appropriate — can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

Our legal team at The Ramage Law Group provides strategic, fact-specific advocacy to ensure that any child support order is calculated correctly, supported by the law, and aligned with your child’s needs and your financial reality. We work on a fixed monthly cost so you always know what to expect.