Texas Child Support Guide 2026: How the Guideline Formula Really Works
Texas child support is one of the simpler systems in the country: a fixed percentage of one parent’s income, set by a single statute. This guide answers the questions parents ask most — what the percentages are, what “net resources” actually means, and how the new $11,700 cap works in 2026.
Get your number first with the free Texas child support calculator — it estimates net resources from gross pay and applies the guideline percentages for you.
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Texas calculates child support as a fixed percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources — the income left after Social Security tax, federal income tax figured as a single filer, and the children’s health insurance premiums. The percentage runs from 20% for one child to 40% for five children, under Family Code §154.125.
Example: at $5,000 a month in net resources, two children means 25% — $1,250 a month; three children means 30%, or $1,500. Nothing else enters the basic formula: just net resources and the number of children.
What are the Texas child support percentages in 2026?
The guideline percentages are 20% of net resources for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five children. For six or more children, support is no less than the five-child amount. These percentages have not changed; what changed recently is the income cap they apply to.
The percentages assume all the children are in one case. If the paying parent also supports children in another household, §154.129 reduces each percentage — one child in each of two households drops the rate from 20% to 17.5%. The FAQ below explains that adjustment.
What counts as net resources in Texas?
Net resources include nearly everything the paying parent receives: wages, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, tips, rental income, and retirement or disability benefits. The court then subtracts Social Security taxes, federal income tax as a single filer, union dues, and premiums paid for the children’s health and dental insurance (§154.062).
To estimate your own figure, start from your gross pay and take off payroll taxes and federal income tax. Our paycheck calculator shows that take-home breakdown for any salary, and the salary to hourly calculator helps if you are converting shift or contract work into a monthly figure.
What is the maximum child support in Texas?
Guideline support is capped because percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources, a limit that took effect September 1, 2025. That makes the maximum guideline payment $2,340 a month for one child, rising to $4,680 for five. Above the cap, extra support requires proof of the child’s needs.
The cap rose from $9,200, where it had sat since 2019 — the Attorney General adjusts it every six years for inflation. An older order does not update by itself: applying the new cap requires filing for a modification.
Does the other parent’s income matter in Texas?
No. Texas is not an income-shares state, so guideline support depends only on the paying parent’s net resources. The receiving parent’s earnings, and any new spouse’s income, are excluded from the formula. Their income can only come up if a court is asked to deviate from the guidelines for a specific reason.
That surprises many parents, because most states combine both incomes. New York is the clearest contrast: it adds both parents’ incomes together before applying its percentages. If you are comparing the two systems, run the same incomes through the New York child support calculator and compare the results side by side.
How long do you pay child support in Texas?
Support generally ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If the child is still enrolled in an accredited secondary school, payments continue until graduation. Support for a disabled child who cannot support themselves can continue indefinitely, and unpaid back support remains collectible after the end date.
Parents can agree in writing to a different arrangement, which a court can build into the order. Whatever the signed order says governs — never stop paying early on a verbal understanding, because arrears accrue automatically.
Can a Texas child support order be changed?
Yes, either parent can ask a court to modify the order if circumstances have materially and substantially changed, or if at least three years have passed and the guideline amount now differs from the order by 20% or $100 a month. Job loss, a big raise, or a child’s changing needs are common grounds.
The cap increase is itself a reason to review older orders: a high earner’s guideline amount under $11,700 can be several hundred dollars higher than under the old $9,200 cap. But nothing changes until a court signs a modification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for the children’s health insurance in Texas?
The court orders medical and dental support alongside child support, usually requiring the paying parent to provide coverage if it is available at a reasonable cost through an employer. Premiums the paying parent actually pays for the children’s coverage are deducted from their net resources before the percentage is applied.
What if the paying parent is unemployed on purpose?
A court can apply the guidelines to the parent’s earning potential instead of their actual income if it finds intentional unemployment or underemployment (§154.066). Judges look at work history, qualifications, and local job availability. The same principle stops a parent from quitting a good job to shrink their support bill.
Do overtime, bonuses and commissions count?
Yes — overtime, commissions, bonuses and severance all count. When income swings month to month, courts typically average earnings over a longer period, often the previous year or more, rather than using one unusually good or bad pay period.
What if the paying parent has children in another household?
Texas uses a reduced multi-family table (§154.129) so one parent’s income stretches across all their children. With one child before the court and one child in another household, the percentage falls from 20% to 17.5%. The more children elsewhere, the larger the reduction in each individual case.
This guide and the calculator it links to provide general estimates only and are not legal advice. Texas guideline figures follow Family Code Chapter 154, with the $11,700 net-resources cap effective September 1, 2025; a court can deviate based on the facts of your case. For advice about your order, consult a Texas family law attorney.
