How Child Support is Calculated in Texas

In Texas, child support is calculated using a percentage of the paying parent’s net monthly resources, with the specific percentage depending on how many children need support. The formula is set by state law, but what counts as income, what gets deducted, and when a court can go above or below the standard amount are details that can significantly affect the final number.

If you are working through a child support issue in San Antonio, Prince Contreras PLLC offers free consultations. Contact us online or call 210.227.7821 to talk through where you stand before anything is finalized.

The Formula Texas Courts Use

Texas child support is not split equally between parents. Courts focus on the paying parent’s net monthly resources and apply a fixed percentage to that number. Under the Texas Family Code § 154.125, one child means 20% of net resources, two children means 25%, and the scale continues from there.

The word “net” is what trips most people up. Net resources are not the same as take-home pay or gross income. Under Texas Family Code § 154.062, the court starts with all income sources, then subtracts specific allowable deductions to arrive at the number used in the calculation.

What Texas Counts as Income and What Gets Deducted

Before the percentage is applied, the court identifies total gross income from all sources. This includes more than just a paycheck.

Income sources Texas courts consider include:

• Wages, salaries, and tips
• Self-employment income and business profits
• Rental income
• Dividends, interest, and royalties
• Pension and retirement benefits
• Unemployment and workers’ compensation benefits
• Prizes or gifts that are regular or significant in amount

From that gross income, specific deductions are subtracted to get to net resources:

• Federal income tax based on the parent’s actual filing status
• Social Security taxes
• Medicare taxes
• State income tax (Texas has none, so this is $0 for most)
• Union dues, if applicable
• The cost of health insurance or cash medical support paid for the child

What remains after those deductions is the number the court applies the child support percentage to.

The Standard Percentages by Number of Children

Once net monthly resources are established, Texas applies the following guideline percentages under Texas Family Code § 154.125:

• 1 child: 20% of net monthly resources.
• 2 children: 25% of net monthly resources.
• 3 children: 30% of net monthly resources.
• 4 children: 35% of net monthly resources.
• 5 or more children: 40% of net monthly resources.

These percentages apply to the first $11,700 in monthly net resources. If the paying parent earns above that cap, a court may order additional support, but it is not automatic. The judge would weigh the child’s actual needs and the parent’s ability to pay before going beyond the cap.

When a Judge Can Order More or Less Than the Guidelines

The standard percentages are a starting point, not a guarantee. A judge can order a different amount when applying the formula strictly would produce a result that is either too high or too low, given the real circumstances.

Under Texas Family Code § 154.123, factors that may lead to an adjustment include the child’s medical or educational needs, significant travel costs between parents, the paying parent’s existing support obligations for other children, and whether each parent’s actual financial picture differs meaningfully from what the formula assumes.

If your situation involves any of these factors, raising them before an order is finalized matters. Modifying child support after the fact is possible, but it requires going back to court and showing a material change in circumstances. Getting it right the first time is easier.

How Shared Custody Affects Child Support

Parents in San Antonio sometimes assume that a shared custody arrangement automatically reduces child support. That is not how Texas law works. The amount a parent pays generally follows the same guideline formula regardless of how parenting time is divided, unless the paying parent spends a substantial amount of overnight time with the child each year.

When a parent reaches that threshold, the court may use a different calculation that accounts for the costs both parents carry when the child spends significant time in each home. Without meeting that standard, guideline support typically applies.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings we see in custody cases. The actual number of overnights matters more than the general label of the custody arrangement, and the difference can have a real impact on what a parent pays or receives.

How Our Firm Helps San Antonio Families With Child Support

Child support cases in San Antonio move through Bexar County courts, and the facts in front of a judge can push a case in very different directions depending on how well they are presented. Our San Antonio child support attorneys work with parents throughout the region, both those paying support and those receiving it, to make sure the income information being used is accurate, the right deductions are accounted for, and the final order actually reflects the child’s needs.

We have seen cases where income was underreported, where deductions were overstated, and where the standard formula produced a number that did not match the family’s actual situation. Our firm takes the time to go through the details before anything is submitted to the court. You get real answers you can rely on before making any decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Texas

Can Child Support Be Modified After the Order Is Set?

Yes. Either parent can ask the court to modify child support if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, a change in the child’s needs, or a change in custody or parenting time. Under Texas Family Code § 156.401, a modification can also be requested every three years without proving a specific change, as long as the new amount would differ by at least 20% or $100 per month from the current order.

What If the Other Parent Is Self-Employed or Underreporting Income?

If a parent owns a business or works independently, income can be harder to verify. Texas courts can look at bank records, business financials, lifestyle factors, and other documentation to determine actual income. In some cases, the court may impute income based on what a parent is capable of earning rather than what they claim to earn. This is a situation where having someone in your corner who knows how to gather and present financial evidence makes a real difference.

Does Child Support in Texas Include Health Insurance?

Medical support is handled separately from the base child support amount. Under Texas Family Code § 154.181, courts are required to address health insurance coverage in every child support order. One or both parents may be ordered to provide coverage, or to pay a monthly cash medical support amount if health insurance is not available at a reasonable cost.

Can Parents Agree on a Different Child Support Amount?

Parents can agree to an amount that differs from the guidelines, but a Texas court must still approve it. A judge will not sign off on an agreement that falls below what the guidelines require unless there is a clear reason that the lower amount still serves the child’s best interests. A private agreement between parents is not enforceable on its own. It has to be formalized in a court order.

Get Answers About Your Child Support Case in San Antonio

Whether you are trying to understand what you will owe, questioning the number being proposed, or dealing with a situation where income is not being accurately reported, the time to get guidance is before the order is signed. Once a child support order is in place, changing it takes time and requires going back to court.

Prince Contreras PLLC represents parents throughout San Antonio in child support proceedings, modifications, and enforcement matters. Our firm offers free consultations, so there is no cost to sit down and go through the facts of your case. Contact us online or call 210.227.7821 to schedule yours today.