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State Guide · Texas
Child Support in Texas: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Texas child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Gross income minus Social Security taxes, income taxes for a single person with one exemption, and certain other deductions (union dues, health insurance, noncustodial children\'s support). The OAG tax charts convert gross wages to net.
Texas uses a flat percentage-of-income model under Family Code § 154.125 applied to the obligor's net resources. Rates: 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 30% (3), 35% (4), 40% (5), and not less than the 5-child amount for 6+. The schedule applies to net resources up to $11,700/month (adjusted for inflation under § 154.125, effective 2025); above that the court applies the percentages to the first $11,700 and may order more based on proven needs. Notable features: a low-income schedule when net resources are under $1,000 (15%/20%/25%/30%/35%), multiple-family rules in § 154.129, and a rebuttable presumption.
Open the Texas child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Texas calculator.
How a support order is established in Texas
Apply for services through the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Child Support Division, or file a petition in court.
The OAG locates the absent parent and establishes paternity if needed (voluntary acknowledgement or DNA test).
Calculate the guideline amount using the OAG Monthly Child Support Calculator and the tax charts.
A court enters the support order (or an administrative order in IV-D cases); medical support is included.
Payments are made through the OAG via income withholding; the OAG enforces the order.
To modify, request an OAG review or file a court action showing a material/substantial change in circumstances.
Worked examples
Illustrative example — one child — Obligor\'s net resources are $4,000/month, one child. 20% × $4,000 = $800/month. Texas applies 20% of net resources for one child; medical support is ordered separately.
Illustrative example — low-income schedule — Obligor\'s net resources are $900/month (below the $1,000 low-income threshold), two children. Low-income schedule: 20% × $900 = $180/month. When net resources are under $1,000, Texas\'s reduced low-income percentages apply.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Texas can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Texas Office of the Attorney General — Child Support — https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support
Texas Monthly Child Support Calculator (OAG) — https://csapps.oag.texas.gov/monthly-child-support-calculator
Gross income minus Social Security taxes, income taxes for a single person with one exemption, and certain other deductions (union dues, health insurance, noncustodial children\'s support). The OAG tax charts convert gross wages to net.
Is there a cap on the percentage?
The flat percentages apply to net resources up to $11,700/month (adjusted for inflation under § 154.125, effective 2025). Above that, the court applies the percentage to the first $11,700 and may add more based on proven needs.
What if the obligor supports children in another household?
Texas Family Code § 154.129 provides an alternative method for multiple families so the first household is not unfairly reduced.
How long does support last?
Generally until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later (whichever occurs first after turning 18).
Can the court deviate from the guidelines?
Yes, but only with written findings that applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate (e.g., extraordinary needs, special circumstances).
Texas child support calculator
Estimate for Texas
Texas uses the Percentage of Income model.
Enter the paying parent’s net (after-tax/deductions) monthly income.
Texas Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Percentage of Income · Income basis: net · Statute: Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 154.125
Paying parent income: $5,000.00/mo · Children: 2
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$1,250.00per month
Annual estimate$15,000.00
Effective rate25%
MethodFlat 25% of net monthly income (2 children)
View calculation breakdown
Statutory rate (2 children)
25%
net monthly income
$5,000
Estimated monthly support
$1,250
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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