Texas Child Support Guideline
Texas Child Support Guidelines
How much do I need to pay in child support? How can I calculate my child support payment amount?
There are stories where a parent receiving child support uses the money for personal gain; however, child support payments are for the benefit of the child.
The obligor is the person the judge commands to pay the child support. The court determines the amount based on the Texas guidelines and other factors, including the need of the child. Whether or not you are the custodial parent, you must use the payment you receive to take care of the child. Child support is not the same as spousal support or alimony.
The amount of child support is based on the non-custodial parent’s income. To calculate the payment, the court considers wages, salaries, tips, 1099 for independent contractors, e.t.c – monthly net resources of the obligor. The net resources is reduced by the taxes below.
- Federal income tax,
- State income tax,
- Social Security taxes,
- Union dues (if they apply),
- Expenses for health insurance coverage for obligor’s children, and
- Expenses for health insurance coverage for obligor’s children.
Then the court applies a percentage based on the number of children before the court and other factors.
What percentage of child support is taken out in Texas?
If you owe child support or are trying to secure support for your child, an attorney is best equipped to handle the finer points of Texas family law. But the following plain-language charts will help you get a general sense of child support guidelines in the Lone Star State.
Based on the Texas Family Code, section 154.001, here are the percentages. If you have:
- 1 Child: 20%
- 2 Children: 25%
- 3 Children: 30%
- 4 Children: 35%
- 5 Children: 40%
- 6+ Children: 40%
Other Guidelines or Factors
Also, a judge may reduce the percentage a parent’s child support payment if he or she already has children that they owe a duty to support. The chart below gives an example of the reduction of child support based on the number of other children already obligor is supporting. This is how to read the chart.
- The number of children for which the obligor already has a duty to support (0-7) is listed in the left-hand column; and
- The number of children currently before the court (1-7) is listed in the horizontal row at the top.
|
No. of Other Children (Below): |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
0 |
20.00 | 25.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 |
|
1 |
17.50 | 22.50 | 27.38 | 32.20 | 37.33 | 37.71 | 38.00 |
|
2 |
16.00 | 20.63 | 25.20 | 30.33 | 35.43 | 36.00 | 36.44 |
|
3 |
14.75 | 19.00 | 24.00 | 29.00 | 34.00 | 34.67 | 35.20 |
|
4 |
13.60 | 18.33 |
23.14 |
28.00 | 32.89 | 33.60 | 34.18 |
|
5 |
13.33 | 17.86 | 22.50 | 27.22 | 32.00 | 32.73 | 33.33 |
|
6 |
13.14 | 17.50 | 22.00 | 26.60 | 31.27 | 32.00 | 32.62 |
|
7 |
13.00 | 17.22 | 21.60 | 26.09 | 30.67 | 31.38 | 32.00 |
Note: This chart is for information purpose and is subject to change. Please contact an attorney for the specific amount that apply to your case.
Confused About the Texas Child Support Guidelines? We Can Help.
Generally, child support in Texas is determined using a number of formulas and considerations. It follows specific guidelines. If you have any questions or need help getting the support you need, a child support attorney can help.
(832) 529-1255