How is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

Compassionate Guidance & Aggressive Representation for DFW Families

Quick Overview: How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

Texas calculates child support using a percentage of the paying parent’s net resources, not gross income. The percentage depends on how many children are being supported. While the formula seems simple, real-life cases involve adjustments for health insurance, special needs, high-income households, and parents who own businesses or receive variable income.

Key Facts for How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

If you’re going through a divorce or custody case in the DFW area, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is how child support is calculated. Texas uses a specific formula, but the way it plays out depends on your income, the number of children, and a few important guidelines most parents don’t know about. Understanding the formula helps you anticipate what’s ahead and avoid surprises.

Texas uses a standard guideline formula, starting at 20% for one child and increasing for each additional child.

Child support is based on the paying parent’s net resources, which includes wages, bonuses, commissions, and even certain benefits.

The state caps the amount of net resources applied to the formula.

Medical and dental support are required in addition to guideline child support.

Courts can adjust support amounts for high earners or children with special needs.

What Texas Parents Should Know About Child Support

Texas child support is designed to be predictable, but there are several key pieces that shape how much a parent pays or receives.

Child support in Texas is calculated using a straightforward—but detailed—process:

• Determine Net Resources
Net resources include:

Wages and salary
Overtime and commissions
Bonuses
Self-employment income
Rental income
Royalties
Disability and worker’s comp benefits
Severance pay
Certain trust income

Texas subtracts taxes, Social Security, union dues, and health insurance for the child to get the “net” number.

• Apply the Texas Guideline Percentages
The guideline percentages are:

20% for 1 child
25% for 2 children
30% for 3 children
35% for 4 children
40% for 5 children
Not less than 40% for 6+ children

These numbers apply unless the parent already supports children from another relationship.

• Understand the Cap on Net Resources
Texas applies the guideline percentage only up to a capped monthly net resource amount (adjusted every six years).
Parents who earn above the cap may still pay more, but the court must find that the child’s proven needs exceed guideline levels.

• Factor in Medical and Dental Support
Parents must provide:

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Payment of uninsured medical expenses

This is separate from child support.

• Adjust for Multiple Households
If the paying parent has other children to support, the guideline percentage drops slightly.

• Account for High-Income Families
DFW sees many parents with significant income—executives, physicians, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
Courts may award above-guideline support if:

The child has higher needs
Lifestyle and schooling costs are well-documented
The paying parent’s income greatly exceeds the cap

• Consider Variable or Self-Employment Income
Parents with fluctuating income (sales, bonuses, commissions, real estate, or business owners) may have:

Income averaging
Additional documentation requirements
Forensic accounting if income is unclear or disputed

• Recognize When Courts Deviate from Guidelines
Judges can increase or decrease support based on:

Special needs
Educational expenses
Travel costs for visitation
The child’s age
The parents’ financial circumstances

The guidelines are a starting point—not always the final answer.

• Understand That Child Support Is Enforceable
Texas can enforce child support through:

Wage garnishment
License suspension
Tax refund intercepts
Court sanctions
Jail time for repeated nonpayment

Support isn’t optional and can’t be negotiated away.

How Ashmore Law can help

hild support can feel simple on paper but complicated in real life—especially for high earners, business owners, or families with unique needs. Ashmore Law has deep experience navigating Texas child support guidelines and the way DFW courts apply them.

Ashmore Law helps parents by:

Calculating accurate guideline support
Identifying income sources the other parent may be hiding
Handling cases involving bonuses, RSUs, stock options, and variable income
Working with forensic accountants for complex financial situations
Arguing for or against above-guideline support
Structuring fair medical and dental support arrangements
Protecting high earners from unfair or inflated requests
Ensuring children receive the financial support they need

Whether you’re seeking support or paying it, Ashmore Law brings clarity, strategy, and strong advocacy to make sure the final number is fair, accurate, and grounded in Texas law.

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