Calculating Child Support in Texas (2025): What You Need to Know Before You Pay or Receive a Dime
Money is one of the biggest fights in any divorce or custody case, and child support is no exception. If you’re the one paying, you want to make sure you’re not overpaying or getting stuck with unfair obligations. If you’re receiving support, you need to know whether the amount you’re getting is accurate and enough to cover your child’s needs.
Texas has strict guidelines for calculating child support, but many parents misunderstand how net income is determined, what expenses are included, and how to handle unique situations like multiple children, self-employment, or medical costs.
Before you sign anything, let’s break down how child support is actually calculated in Texas for 2025, what’s changed, and what you can do if you think the numbers don’t add up.
Step 1: Know What Counts as Income (And What Doesn’t)
Texas doesn’t just look at your paycheck when calculating child support. The courts use net resources, which include a variety of income sources:
- ✔ Wages, salary, and commissions (from one or multiple jobs)
- ✔ Self-employment earnings (minus business expenses)
- ✔ Bonuses, overtime, and tips
- ✔ Rental property income
- ✔ Investment earnings (dividends, royalties, trusts)
- ✔ Retirement or pension payments
- ✔ Disability or workers’ compensation benefits
- ✔ Social Security benefits
However, some money doesn’t count toward child support calculations:
- 🚫 Government assistance programs (like SSI, SNAP, or TANF)
- 🚫 Certain veteran’s benefits
- 🚫 Child support you’re already paying for another child
Knowing what does and doesn’t count toward your income helps you double-check calculations and avoid mistakes that could raise or lower your support payments unfairly.
Step 2: Subtract Allowed Deductions to Find Net Resources
Once your total income is determined, the court subtracts certain expenses to get your net resources—the number child support is actually based on.
- ✅ Social Security taxes
- ✅ Federal income tax (calculated for a single person with one exemption)
- ✅ State income tax (if applicable)
- ✅ Union dues (if required for your job)
- ✅ Health and dental insurance premiums for the child
Example Calculation:
Let’s say your monthly income is $5,000. Your deductions might look like this:
- Social Security taxes: $350
- Federal income tax: $600
- Child’s health insurance: $150
Your net resources would be:
- 🧮 $5,000 – ($350 + $600 + $150) = $3,900
This is the number used to calculate child support under Texas guidelines.
Step 3: Apply the 2025 Child Support Percentage Guidelines
Texas applies a set percentage of your net resources for child support, depending on how many children you’re supporting in the case:
- One child → 20% of net resources
- Two children → 25%
- Three children → 30%
- Four children → 35%
- Five or more children → 40%
However, Texas has a cap on net resources used for child support calculations. As of 2025, the cap is $9,200 per month. If your net resources exceed this amount, child support is based only on the first $9,200, unless the court finds special circumstances to justify a higher amount.
Example Calculation:
For one child, if your net resources are $3,900 per month:
- 🧮 $3,900 × 20% = $780 in child support per month
For two children:
- 🧮 $3,900 × 25% = $975 per month
Step 4: Adjust for Multiple Families (If You Have Other Children to Support)
If you have other children from another relationship, the percentage applied to your income decreases to ensure fair support across multiple households.
Adjusted Percentages for Multiple Families
Number of Children in This Case |
If You Also Have 1 Other Child |
If You Also Have 2 Other Children |
If You Also Have 3 Other Children |
|---|---|---|---|
1 child |
17.5% instead of 20% |
16% instead of 20% |
14.75% instead of 20% |
2 children |
22.5% instead of 25% |
20% instead of 25% |
18.33% instead of 25% |
Example Calculation:
If you have two children in the current case but also one child from another relationship, the percentage is adjusted to 22.5% instead of 25%.
- 🧮 $3,900 × 22.5% = $877.50 per month
Step 5: Factor in Medical and Dental Support
On top of regular child support, Texas law requires parents to cover their child’s health and dental insurance (Texas Family Code § 154.181). This can be done in two ways:
- Providing insurance through your job
- Paying the other parent extra to cover insurance
As of 2025, the maximum a parent can be ordered to pay for medical support is 9% of annual net resources, and for dental support, it’s 1.5%.
Example Calculation:
If your annual net resources are $46,800 ($3,900 × 12 months):
- 🧮 Medical Support = 9% of $46,800 = $4,212 per year ($351 per month)
- 🧮 Dental Support = 1.5% of $46,800 = $702 per year ($58.50 per month)
Total additional payments: $409.50 per month on top of regular child support.
Step 6: What If You Think the Calculation Is Wrong?
Mistakes happen, and miscalculations can mean overpaying or not receiving enough support. If you believe the amount is incorrect:
- ✔ Request a modification – If your income changes by 20% or more, you may qualify for a review.
- ✔ Check for missing deductions – Ensure the court applied all allowable deductions.
- ✔ Verify net resources – Make sure bonuses, overtime, or self-employment income were calculated correctly.
- ✔ Consider hiring an attorney – If numbers aren’t adding up, a lawyer can help you challenge the calculation.
Texas Child Support FAQ: Answers to the Questions No One Else Is Answering
Child support calculations can feel unfair, confusing, and even frustrating—especially if you’re the one paying. Most online guides recycle the same basic information, but what about real-world scenarios that don’t fit neatly into the standard formula?
This FAQ tackles the tough, uncommon questions about child support in Texas that no one else is answering. If you’ve got a unique situation, read on—you may find exactly what you need to know.
My ex makes more money than me. Why do I still have to pay child support?
Texas law doesn’t automatically base child support on which parent makes more money. The non-custodial parent (the one who has less time with the child) is typically the one who pays—even if the custodial parent earns more. The court assumes the custodial parent is already contributing financially by covering housing, food, and other daily expenses for the child.
Can this be changed?
Possibly. If your ex’s income is significantly higher and your combined household incomes exceed the child support cap, you may be able to argue for lower payments.
What if I’m self-employed and my income changes every month?
Texas courts don’t just look at one paycheck—they want a full financial picture. If you’re self-employed or earn irregular income (like a contractor, freelancer, or business owner), the court will:
- Average your income over time (usually 12 months)
- Look at tax returns, business expenses, and deposits
- Use past earnings to predict future payments
What if I have a bad year?
If your income drops significantly, you’ll need to request a modification—otherwise, the court expects you to keep paying based on past earnings.
I have joint custody. Do I still have to pay child support?
Maybe. Texas doesn’t automatically eliminate child support in 50/50 custody arrangements. Instead, the court will:
- Compare both parents’ net incomes
- Determine who has the child more overnight (even in a 50/50 split, one parent often has slightly more)
- Apply the standard child support formula
If one parent earns significantly more, they might still have to pay support, even with equal custody time.
Can we agree to waive child support?
Yes—if both parents agree and the judge believes it’s fair for the child, the court may approve a no-support arrangement.
My ex moved in with a rich boyfriend. Can I lower my child support?
Probably not. Texas law doesn’t consider your ex’s new partner’s income when calculating child support. However, if your ex stops working and relies on the new partner, you may be able to argue that she’s voluntarily unemployed to collect more child support.
How do I prove it?
- ✔ Show previous earnings vs. current earnings
- ✔ Provide evidence of financial support from the new partner
- ✔ File for a modification if her income has changed significantly
I lost my job. Can I stop paying child support until I find work?
No. Child support doesn’t pause just because you lost your job. Texas courts assume you can and should find work—even if it’s temporary or in a different field.
- You must keep paying the current order until a modification is granted.
- The court may impute income, meaning they assign you an amount you should be earning based on your job history and qualifications.
- If you’re on unemployment, the court may take child support directly from benefits.
What if my ex is hiding income to get more child support?
This is more common than people think—especially with cash-based jobs, under-the-table payments, or self-employment.
- ✔ Request financial discovery (bank statements, tax returns, business records)
- ✔ Hire a forensic accountant if you suspect fraud
- ✔ File a motion to compel income disclosure
If the court finds out your ex lied about income, they could face legal penalties, and you may be entitled to a reduction in child support.
Can my ex spend child support however she wants?
Technically, yes. Texas does not require parents to track child support spending or show receipts.
What if she’s misusing it?
- If your child is neglected or lacks essentials (food, clothing, medical care), you can petition for a custody modification.
- If your ex is blatantly misusing funds (spending on vacations, gambling, or luxury items while the child lacks necessities), you may be able to request a change in payment structure (like paying directly for school tuition or medical expenses instead of giving cash).
My income went up. Does my ex automatically get more child support?
No. Child support doesn’t increase automatically—your ex has to request a modification. The court will only approve it if:
- ✔ It’s been three years since the last order AND
- ✔ The change would result in a $100+ or 20% increase in payments
If you get a huge raise, your ex might file for more support—especially if your net resources are now above the $9,200 cap.
What if I pay for everything already—do I still have to pay child support?
Many fathers pay extra expenses like school tuition, extracurriculars, or medical bills on top of child support—but that doesn’t reduce the required amount unless it’s in the court order.
- ✔ If you want credit for additional payments, request a modification to factor in those expenses.
- ✔ Get everything in writing—verbal agreements with your ex won’t hold up in court.
Can child support be taken out of my bonus or commission checks?
Yes. Texas courts include bonuses, commissions, and overtime when calculating child support. If you receive a one-time bonus, your ex can request a percentage of it.
- ✔ If you get regular bonuses, they may be included in ongoing calculations.
- ✔ If the bonus is unpredictable, the court may require yearly adjustments.
Tip: If you expect big bonuses in your job, consider negotiating a flat monthly amount rather than a percentage-based order.
What happens if I remarry? Will my new spouse’s income affect child support?
No. Your new spouse’s income is not factored into child support calculations—only your income counts.
However: If you have more children with your new spouse, you may be eligible for a reduction in your support payments for children from a previous relationship.
What happens if I move to another state? Do I still have to pay Texas child support?
Yes. Child support follows you, even if you move out of Texas. Your payments are enforced through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which means every state honors Texas child support orders.
- ✔ If you move to a state with different child support laws, Texas rules still apply.
- ✔ You can only modify your order in Texas courts.
Get Ahead of Child Support Issues Before They Cost You
If you’re paying or receiving child support in Texas, understanding the details can help you avoid legal headaches, overpayments, and unexpected modifications.
📞 Got questions? Call Longworth Law Firm at (832) 759-5100. Whether you need help modifying payments, disputing an unfair order, or enforcing a child support agreement, we’ll make sure your rights are protected.
Final Thoughts: Get the Right Child Support Calculation
Understanding how Texas calculates child support in 2025 puts you in a stronger position—whether you’re paying or receiving support.
- 🔹 Know what counts as income and what doesn’t.
- 🔹 Make sure deductions are applied correctly.
- 🔹 Understand how the percentage guidelines work.
- 🔹 Factor in health and dental costs.
- 🔹 Review calculations if something seems off.
📞 Need help ensuring your child support is fair? Call Longworth Law Firm at (832) 759-5100 to discuss your case. Our lawyers know Texas child support law and will help you get the right numbers, protect your rights, and avoid costly mistakes.