Texas Child Support Calculator

How Texas Calculates Child Support

In Texas, your child support is calculated by taking a simple percentage of your monthly net resources, which is your income after certain taxes and deductions. Governed by Texas Family Code § 154.125, this percentage depends only on the number of children you support; the other parent's income is not used in the basic guideline calculation.

Understanding Net Resources and Deductions

Texas law does not use a specific overnight count or percentage of time to automatically adjust child support for shared custody. However, under Texas Family Code § 154.123, a judge can deviate from the standard guideline amount if the non-primary parent has possession of the child for a significant period of time that is substantially equal to the primary parent's time.

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✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Texas Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Percentage of Obligor Income
Governing Legal Authority Texas Family Code § 154.125
Shared Custody Threshold Substantial Equal Time
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or upon High School graduation, whichever is later)
Modification Standard 3 years passed and 20% or $100 change in support, or a material and substantial change in circumstances

Frequently Asked Questions About TX Child Support


At what age does child support end in TX?

Child support in Texas ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. This termination rule is established under Texas Family Code § 154.001.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in TX?

If a parent is unemployed or underemployed in Texas, the court will typically order them to pay child support based on an 'imputed' income. This means support is calculated based on what the parent could or should be earning given their skills and local job opportunities, as authorized by Texas Family Code § 154.066.

How do I modify a child support order in TX?

You can modify a Texas child support order if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, or if it has been at least three years since the order and the new calculated amount would differ by 20% or $100. This legal standard for modification is set forth in Texas Family Code § 156.401.

Does TX child support cover college expenses?

No, Texas law does not require a parent to pay for college expenses as part of a child support order. Support for post-secondary education can only be court-ordered if the parents have a separate, written agreement to pay for those expenses.

How does TX handle health insurance and childcare costs?

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is typically ordered as additional child support, while necessary work-related childcare costs are also added to the base support obligation. The Texas Family Code, particularly in sections like § 154.182, provides the framework for how these essential costs are handled in addition to the guideline support amount.