Texas Child Support Laws: Guidelines and Calculations

Quick Summary: Texas Child Support

• Guideline Model: Percentage of Income Model (non-custodial parent's income only)
• Net Resources Cap: $11,700 per month (effective September 1, 2025)
• Basic Percentages: 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 30% for 3, 35% for 4, 40% for 5+
• Low-Income Percentages: 15% for 1 child, 20% for 2, 25% for 3, 30% for 4, 35% for 5+ (when net resources are below $1,000/month)
• Age of Termination: 18 (or high school graduation, whichever is later)
• Modification Threshold: 20% or $100 difference, or 3 years since last order
• Governing Statute: Texas Family Code Chapter 154
• Agency: Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division (CSD)

How to Apply for Child Support in Texas

In Texas, the Child Support Division (CSD) under the Office of the Attorney General handles child support services. The CSD can help with establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders, as well as establishing paternity.

To apply for services, create a CSD account online or visit the nearest child support office in person. You can also find your nearest office location on the CSD map.

The application process can take up to an hour to complete. You will need to provide accurate information the first time, because errors may require you to restart the process from the beginning.

The CSD needs personal information from the applying parent, including both parents' names, last known addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, and employer names and addresses.

You will also need the name of each child, birth certificates, locations of birth, and any other supporting documents you can provide.

Important details about applying:

• Parents who have experienced domestic violence or fear applying can seek help from the Child Support and Family Violence program.
• Custodial parents using "register only" payment processing and record-keeping must pay a $3 monthly service fee.
• The CSD may close your case if you fail to respond to communications or provide requested information.
• To request an application form by mail, call (800) 252-8014. Mailed applications take longer than online or in-person applications.
• Parents who have never received TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or other state support must pay a $35 annual service fee.

Download all Texas child support forms here.

How Is Paternity Established in Texas?

Under Texas child support law, a biological father does not have legal rights or obligations toward the child until paternity is legally established. There are two main paths to establish paternity in Texas.

Voluntary acknowledgment happens when a father completes the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form at the hospital after childbirth or at a local child support office.

Involuntary establishment occurs when the court or CSD orders genetic testing to determine paternity.

Texas law also presumes that a man is the father if the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after a divorce, death, or legal separation.

Important details about paternity:

• If either parent refuses to take a paternity test, the Office of the Attorney General may petition the court to order testing.
• Minors can sign the AOP form without parental consent.
• Either parent has 60 days to rescind an AOP by filing a "Rescission of the Acknowledgement Form."
• If a DNA test comes back negative, the father may file a petition asking the court to terminate his legal relationship with the child.

What Is Child Support Supposed to Cover in Texas?

Texas child support guidelines set the amount a parent must pay. The courts apply these guidelines when doing so serves the best interests of the child.

In determining a child's best interests, the court considers medical and educational expenses, daycare costs, and basic needs including shelter, clothing, and food.

When strict application of the guidelines would place unnecessary strain on either parent's financial resources, the judge may deviate from the guideline amount. Texas Family Code Section 154.123 lists several factors for deviation:

• The changing needs of a growing child
• Each parent's ability to contribute to raising the child
• College or higher education expenses
• Each parent's financial resources and obligations
• Any special needs of the child, including costs for health care not covered by insurance

How to Calculate Child Support in Texas

Texas courts calculate child support based solely on the paying (non-custodial) parent's net resources. The state's formula does not consider the custodial parent's income or the amount of parenting time each parent has.

What Are Net Resources?

"Net resources" is a specific legal term defined in Texas Family Code Sections 154.062 through 154.065. Net resources are not the same as take-home pay.

Income sources that count as resources include:

• Wages, salary, tips, commissions, overtime pay, and bonuses
• Self-employment income (including gig economy work such as rideshare or delivery apps)
• Interest, dividends, and royalties
• Workers' compensation benefits
• Retirement, pension, and trust income
• Spousal maintenance (alimony) received

Income sources excluded from resources:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• TANF benefits
• Return of principal or capital
• Payments received for foster care of a child

Allowed deductions from gross resources:

• Federal income taxes (calculated at the single filing status with one personal exemption)
• Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA)
• Cost of health and dental insurance premiums for the child
• Union dues
• Nondiscretionary retirement contributions (only if the parent does not pay Social Security taxes)

The Office of the Attorney General publishes annual Tax Charts that standardize the tax deductions used to compute net resources.

The 2025 Net Resources Cap Increase

Effective September 1, 2025, the maximum monthly net resources cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700. This is a $2,500 increase and the largest adjustment in the history of the guideline cap.

The Texas Family Code requires the Office of the Attorney General to review and adjust this cap every six years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The previous adjustment occurred in 2019, when the cap rose from $8,550 to $9,200.

This change was enacted through House Bill C.S.H.B. 2643 during the 2025 Texas legislative session. All new child support orders entered on or after September 1, 2025 use the updated cap. Existing orders do not change automatically. A parent must file a petition to modify to apply the new cap to an existing order.

Standard Guideline Percentages

Texas Family Code Section 154.125 sets the following guideline percentages:

Number of Children	Percentage of Obligor's Net Resources
1	20%
2	25%
3	30%
4	35%
5	40%
6+	Not less than the amount for five children

Example: If a non-custodial parent has monthly net resources of $5,000 and one child, the guideline child support amount would be $1,000 per month (20% of $5,000).

Maximum guideline amounts under the $11,700 cap:

Number of Children	Maximum Monthly Support
1	$2,340
2	$2,925
3	$3,510
4	$4,095
5+	$4,680

For income above the $11,700 cap, the court has discretion to order additional support based on the needs of the child and the ability of the obligor to pay.

Low-Income Guidelines

Texas provides reduced guideline percentages for obligors whose monthly net resources fall below $1,000. These reduced rates help ensure that very low earners retain enough income to meet their own basic needs.

Number of Children	Percentage (Net Resources Below $1,000/month)
1	15%
2	20%
3	25%
4	30%
5+	Not less than the amount for five children

The Attorney General of Texas provides a child support calculator that you can use to estimate your support obligation.

Important details about calculations:

• The calculator provides an estimate only. Your court order may differ.
• Parents can agree on a child support amount outside of court, but the court must approve it.
• If the non-custodial parent's monthly net income exceeds $11,700, the court has discretion on amounts above the cap.
• Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

How to Modify Child Support in Texas

Texas child support law allows parents to request a review or modification on two grounds:

1. The petitioning parent must show a material and substantial change in circumstances.
2. The order was established or last modified at least three years ago, AND the monthly amount differs by either 20% or $100 from the amount that would be awarded under the current guidelines.

What Counts as a Material and Substantial Change?

A material and substantial change refers to a significant shift in the financial situation of either parent or in the needs of the child. The burden of proof rests on the parent requesting the change.

Common grounds for child support modification in Texas include:

• Involuntary job loss or involuntary reduction in work hours
• Significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
• The addition of new children into the household
• A change in the child's medical insurance coverage
• Change in custody or visitation arrangements
• A child becoming disabled or developing special needs

The September 2025 increase to the net resources cap may also justify a modification for parents whose income falls between $9,200 and $11,700 per month.

How to Request a Child Support Order Review

There are two ways to request a review in Texas:

1. Online: Submit a modification request through the CSD portal.
2. By mail: Download the "Request for Review" form and mail it to the CSD.

The CSD will first try to resolve the modification through the Child Support Review Process (CSRP) or an informal conference. If agreement cannot be reached, the modification request goes to court.

For more information, call (800) 252-8014.

What Happens if You Do Not Pay Child Support in Texas?

The Office of the Attorney General has multiple enforcement tools available to collect child support from parents who fail to pay:

• Income withholding: Most child support orders include an automatic Income Withholding Order (IWO) that requires the employer to deduct support directly from the obligor's paycheck.
• License suspension: Through more than 60 licensing agencies including the DMV, the OAG can suspend the delinquent parent's driver's, professional, hunting, fishing, or business license.
• Passport denial: Through the U.S. State Department, the OAG may deny or revoke a parent's passport if past-due support reaches $2,500 or more.
• Liens: The OAG can place liens on real property, bank accounts, retirement funds, personal injury claims, and other assets.
• Tax refund intercept: The OAG can intercept federal and state tax refunds to pay toward child support arrears.
• Credit bureau reporting: The OAG reports past-due child support to credit bureaus, which can negatively affect the obligor's credit score.

Contempt of Court Charges in Texas

Failure to pay child support can result in a judge finding the parent in contempt of court. Civil contempt carries a fine, jail time of up to six months, or both.

If the court determines that a parent "intentionally" or "knowingly" failed to pay child support, the offense can be prosecuted as criminal nonsupport under Texas Penal Code Section 25.05. Criminal nonsupport is a state jail felony, which can result in up to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.

Important details about enforcement:

• You can prevent enforcement action by staying current on your obligations.
• Obligors facing contempt proceedings who may be jailed have the right to request an appointed attorney.
• Child support arrears do not go away. Interest accrues on unpaid balances.
• Incarcerated parents should file an "incarcerated non-custodial parent affidavit of income and assets" and petition for a modification based on material and substantial change in financial circumstances.

When Does Child Support End in Texas?

Under Texas Family Code Section 154.001, child support obligations terminate when one of the following occurs:

• The child turns 18 years old, or graduates from high school, whichever happens later (but not past the child's 19th birthday for the high school extension)
• The child is emancipated through marriage, military service, or a court order removing the disabilities of minority
• The child dies
• The court order specifying support is modified or terminated

Indefinite Support for a Disabled Child

If a child has a physical or mental disability, the court may order child support to continue indefinitely past age 18. Texas Family Code Section 154.001(a-1) permits ongoing support for adult children who require substantial care and personal supervision because of a disability that existed before age 18.

How to End Child Support Early in Texas

Minors in Texas may petition the court for emancipation (removal of the disabilities of minority) at age 16 or older. To qualify, the minor must demonstrate:

• An ability to support themselves through legal income
• The capacity to manage their own financial and personal affairs
• That they are living apart from their parents

Other paths to early termination include joining the military or getting married, both of which legally emancipate the minor.

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