Texas Child Support Calculator 2026
Calculate Your Estimated Child Support Under the New $11,700 Cap
This calculator provides estimates only. Each case is different and ultimately a judge decides on an appropriate amount.
This calculator does not calculate support in excess of the $11,700 net resource amount per Texas Family Code Sec. 154.125(a).
Personal Information
Deductions & Children
Important Legal Information
- • This calculator provides estimates only. Actual court orders may differ based on specific circumstances.
- • The new $11,700 cap became effective September 1, 2025, increasing from the previous $9,200 cap.
- • Multi-child support calculations follow Texas Family Code Section 154.129.
- • Courts may deviate from guidelines based on the best interests of the child and other factors.
- • Consult with a family law attorney for specific legal advice regarding your situation.
How Texas Child Support Is Calculated
Texas child support is calculated by applying a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources (up to $11,700) based on the number of children. For one child, the guideline amount is 20% of net resources, increasing by 5% for each additional child up to 40% for five or more. The free Texas child support calculator above can help you estimate your potential obligation.
If you're going through a divorce or establishing paternity, understanding how child support works is one of the most pressing concerns you'll face. Texas uses a formula-based system that provides predictability while still giving courts flexibility to address unique family circumstances. This guide explains exactly how the calculations work, what the 2025 changes mean for families in 2026, and when a judge might order more or less than the guideline amount.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
Texas determines child support using a straightforward percentage-based formula outlined in Texas Family Code § 154.125. The court first calculates the paying parent's monthly net resources, then applies the appropriate percentage based on how many children need support.
The standard guideline percentages for parents with children in one household are:
| Number of Children | Percentage of Net Resources | Maximum at $11,700 Cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | $2,340/month |
| 2 children | 25% | $2,925/month |
| 3 children | 30% | $3,510/month |
| 4 children | 35% | $4,095/month |
| 5+ children | 40% | $4,680/month |
These percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources. If the paying parent earns more than this amount, the court presumes the guideline amount is appropriate but may order additional support based on the child's proven needs under Texas Family Code § 154.126.
What Are Net Resources Under Texas Law?
Net resources are not the same as take-home pay. Under Texas Family Code § 154.062, net resources include virtually all income sources minus specific deductions allowed by law.
Income that counts toward net resources includes wages and salary, overtime pay, commissions and bonuses, self-employment earnings, interest and dividends, rental income, severance pay, retirement and pension payments, trust income, and most Social Security benefits. Non-service-related VA disability payments are also included.
Texas law allows the following deductions from gross income: federal income taxes (based on single filing status with one exemption), Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA), the cost of health and dental insurance for the child, union dues, and certain nondiscretionary retirement contributions if the parent does not pay Social Security taxes.
The court cannot include a new spouse's income when calculating child support. Under Texas Family Code § 154.069, the resources of a spouse are excluded from the calculation entirely.
The 2025 Child Support Cap Increase: What It Means in 2026
On September 1, 2025, the Texas child support cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700 in monthly net resources. This was the first adjustment since 2019 and represented a 27% increase to account for inflation.
Under Texas Family Code § 154.125(a-1), the Texas Office of the Attorney General is required to adjust the cap every six years based on the Consumer Price Index. The next scheduled adjustment will occur in 2031.
For parents earning at or above the cap, this change had significant financial implications. A parent supporting one child saw their maximum guideline obligation increase from $1,840 to $2,340 per month. For three children, the maximum jumped from $2,760 to $3,510. If you have a child support order that was calculated under the old $9,200 cap, it will not automatically update. Either parent must file a formal modification request with the court to recalculate support under the new guidelines.
How Does Support Work When a Parent Has Children in Multiple Households?
When the paying parent has a legal duty to support children from different relationships, Texas uses a different calculation method outlined in Texas Family Code § 154.129. This formula reduces the percentage applied to each household to account for the parent's total support obligations.
For example, if a parent has one child from a previous relationship and is now in court for support of one new child, the percentage drops from 20% to 17.50% for the child before the court. The reduction ensures that children in all households receive appropriate support without placing an impossible burden on the paying parent.
The multi-family percentage chart can get complex with multiple children across several households. The calculator above factors in these adjustments automatically when you enter the number of children you support outside the current case.
When Can Courts Order More or Less Than the Guidelines?
Texas courts presume the guideline amount is in the child's best interest, but judges have discretion to deviate when circumstances warrant. Under Texas Family Code § 154.123, courts consider factors including the age and specific needs of the child, the ability of each parent to contribute to support, educational expenses, childcare costs necessary for the custodial parent to work, extraordinary medical expenses, travel costs for visitation, and whether either parent has significant debt or property obligations.
For high-income parents earning above the $11,700 cap, the receiving parent can ask the court to order additional support by proving the child has needs beyond what the guideline amount covers. This might include private school tuition, specialized medical care, or extracurricular activities the family supported before separation.
Courts can also order less than the guidelines suggest. A parent with significant medical expenses, crushing debt from a prior divorce, or responsibility for elderly parents might receive a reduction. The key is demonstrating that applying the standard percentage would be unjust or inappropriate.
What About Medical and Dental Support?
Child support calculations assume the paying parent will also provide health and dental insurance coverage for the child. This is a separate obligation from the basic support amount. Under Texas Family Code §§ 154.181-154.187, every child support order must address medical and dental support.
If employer-provided insurance is available at a reasonable cost (generally defined as no more than 9% of gross income), the court will typically order the obligor to provide coverage. When insurance isn't available or is unreasonably expensive, the court may order cash medical support instead, which the receiving parent uses to obtain coverage for the child.
The cost of providing health insurance for the child is deducted from gross income before calculating net resources. This means your child support obligation decreases slightly to account for the insurance premiums you're already paying.
How Do I Modify an Existing Child Support Order?
Texas allows modification of child support orders under two circumstances defined in Texas Family Code § 156.401. First, if three years have passed since the last order and the recalculated amount would differ by at least 20% or $100 from the current order. Second, if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the order was entered.
The 2025 cap increase qualified as a material and substantial change, giving either parent grounds to request modification. If your order was calculated under the $9,200 cap and the paying parent earns more than that amount, you may be entitled to an increase.
To modify support, you must file a petition with the court that issued the original order. Gather current financial documents including pay stubs, tax returns, bonus records, and proof of any deductions. The court will recalculate support using the current guidelines and the parent's current income.
What Happens If the Paying Parent Is Unemployed or Underemployed?
Texas courts don't allow parents to avoid child support by refusing to work. Under Texas Family Code § 154.066, if a court finds that a parent is intentionally unemployed or underemployed, it can calculate support based on that parent's earning potential rather than actual income.
Courts look at education, work history, job skills, and the local job market. A former software engineer who quits their job to work part-time at a coffee shop may find support calculated based on what they could earn as an engineer. Similarly, a parent who takes a significant pay cut right before a custody case may not benefit from that strategic decision.
For parents who are genuinely unemployed through no fault of their own, courts often presume minimum wage earnings (currently $7.25 per hour in Texas, or approximately $1,257 per month gross) as a baseline. Courts can also impute income from assets that aren't producing earnings, such as rental property that sits vacant.
Can Child Support Continue After Age 18?
In most cases, child support in Texas ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Under Texas Family Code § 154.002, courts can order support to continue past age 18 if the child is still enrolled in an accredited secondary school program leading to a high school diploma.
The child must be attending school on a full-time basis and complying with minimum attendance requirements. Support ends when the child graduates or turns 19, whichever happens first, unless the child is disabled.
For children with disabilities that require substantial care and supervision, support can continue indefinitely. The disability must have existed before the child turned 18, and the child must require ongoing support due to the condition.
Why You Need a Family Law Attorney
While this calculator provides a useful estimate, child support involves nuances that a simple formula can't capture. Self-employment income requires careful analysis of business expenses and deductions. High-income cases demand proof of the child's additional needs. Multi-household situations need accurate accounting of all support obligations.
At Varghese Summersett, our family law attorneys handle child support matters in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and throughout Texas. We help parents navigate initial support orders, modifications, and enforcement when the other parent falls behind. Our team includes board-certified family law specialists who understand how local courts in Tarrant, Dallas, Harris, and surrounding counties approach these cases.
If you're facing a child support issue, don't rely solely on online calculators. Contact our office at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation. We'll review your specific situation and help you understand what to expect in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Child Support
What is the maximum child support in Texas in 2026?
The maximum guideline child support in Texas is based on the $11,700 monthly net resources cap that took effect September 1, 2025. For one child, the maximum is $2,340 per month (20% of $11,700). For two children, it's $2,925. Courts can order additional support above these amounts if the paying parent earns more than the cap and the receiving parent proves the child has additional needs.
How often does Texas adjust the child support cap?
Texas adjusts the child support cap every six years to account for inflation, as required by Texas Family Code § 154.125(a-1). The most recent adjustment occurred on September 1, 2025, when the cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700. The next scheduled adjustment will be in 2031.
Will my child support automatically increase with the new cap?
No. Existing child support orders do not automatically update when the cap changes. If you want your order recalculated under the new guidelines, you must file a formal modification petition with the court. The cap increase qualifies as a material and substantial change in circumstances, which provides grounds for modification.
Does Texas count a new spouse's income for child support?
No. Under Texas Family Code § 154.069, courts cannot include a spouse's income when calculating either parent's net resources for child support purposes. The calculation is based solely on the paying and receiving parents' individual incomes.
What if I have children with more than one person?
Texas uses a special calculation under Texas Family Code § 154.129 when the paying parent supports children in multiple households. The percentage applied to your income is reduced to account for your obligations to children not involved in the current case. The calculator above factors in these adjustments automatically.
Texas child support is calculated by applying a percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources (up to $11,700) based on the number of children. For one child, the guideline amount is 20% of net resources, increasing by 5% for each additional child up to 40% for five or more. Our free Texas child support calculator above can help you estimate your potential obligation.
If you’re going through a divorce or establishing paternity, understanding how child support works is one of the most pressing concerns you’ll face. Texas uses a formula-based system that provides predictability while still giving courts flexibility to address unique family circumstances. This guide explains exactly how the calculations work, what the 2025 changes mean for families in 2026, and when a judge might order more or less than the guideline amount.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
Texas determines child support using a straightforward percentage-based formula outlined in Texas Family Code § 154.125. The court first calculates the paying parent’s monthly net resources, then applies the appropriate percentage based on how many children need support.
The standard guideline percentages for parents with children in one household are:
| Number of Children | Percentage of Net Resources | Maximum at $11,700 Cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | $2,340/month |
| 2 children | 25% | $2,925/month |
| 3 children | 30% | $3,510/month |
| 4 children | 35% | $4,095/month |
| 5+ children | 40% | $4,680/month |
These percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources. If the paying parent earns more than this amount, the court presumes the guideline amount is appropriate but may order additional support based on the child’s proven needs under Texas Family Code § 154.126.
What Are Net Resources Under Texas Law?
Net resources are not the same as take-home pay. Under Texas Family Code § 154.062, net resources include virtually all income sources minus specific deductions allowed by law.
Income that counts toward net resources includes wages and salary, overtime pay, commissions and bonuses, self-employment earnings, interest and dividends, rental income, severance pay, retirement and pension payments, trust income, and most Social Security benefits. Non-service-related VA disability payments are also included.
Texas law allows the following deductions from gross income: federal income taxes (based on single filing status with one exemption), Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA), the cost of health and dental insurance for the child, union dues, and certain nondiscretionary retirement contributions if the parent does not pay Social Security taxes.
The court cannot include a new spouse’s income when calculating child support. Under Texas Family Code § 154.069, the resources of a spouse are excluded from the calculation entirely.
The 2025 Child Support Cap Increase: What It Means in 2026
On September 1, 2025, the Texas child support cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700 in monthly net resources. This was the first adjustment since 2019 and represented a 27% increase to account for inflation.
Under Texas Family Code § 154.125(a-1), the Texas Office of the Attorney General is required to adjust the cap every six years based on the Consumer Price Index. The next scheduled adjustment will occur in 2031.
For parents earning at or above the cap, this change had significant financial implications. A parent supporting one child saw their maximum guideline obligation increase from $1,840 to $2,340 per month. For three children, the maximum jumped from $2,760 to $3,510. If you have a child support order that was calculated under the old $9,200 cap, it will not automatically update. Either parent must file a formal modification request with the court to recalculate support under the new guidelines.
How Does Support Work When a Parent Has Children in Multiple Households?
When the paying parent has a legal duty to support children from different relationships, Texas uses a different calculation method outlined in Texas Family Code § 154.129. This formula reduces the percentage applied to each household to account for the parent’s total support obligations.
For example, if a parent has one child from a previous relationship and is now in court for support of one new child, the percentage drops from 20% to 17.50% for the child before the court. The reduction ensures that children in all households receive appropriate support without placing an impossible burden on the paying parent.
The multi-family percentage chart can get complex with multiple children across several households. Our calculator above factors in these adjustments automatically when you enter the number of children you support outside the current case.
When Can Courts Order More or Less Than the Guidelines?
Texas courts presume the guideline amount is in the child’s best interest, but judges have discretion to deviate when circumstances warrant. Under Texas Family Code § 154.123, courts consider factors including the age and specific needs of the child, the ability of each parent to contribute to support, educational expenses, childcare costs necessary for the custodial parent to work, extraordinary medical expenses, travel costs for visitation, and whether either parent has significant debt or property obligations.
For high-income parents earning above the $11,700 cap, the receiving parent can ask the court to order additional support by proving the child has needs beyond what the guideline amount covers. This might include private school tuition, specialized medical care, or extracurricular activities the family supported before separation.
Courts can also order less than the guidelines suggest. A parent with significant medical expenses, crushing debt from a prior divorce, or responsibility for elderly parents might receive a reduction. The key is demonstrating that applying the standard percentage would be unjust or inappropriate.
What About Medical and Dental Support?
Child support calculations assume the paying parent will also provide health and dental insurance coverage for the child. This is a separate obligation from the basic support amount. Under Texas Family Code §§ 154.181-154.187, every child support order must address medical and dental support.
If employer-provided insurance is available at a reasonable cost (generally defined as no more than 9% of gross income), the court will typically order the obligor to provide coverage. When insurance isn’t available or is unreasonably expensive, the court may order cash medical support instead, which the receiving parent uses to obtain coverage for the child.
The cost of providing health insurance for the child is deducted from gross income before calculating net resources. This means your child support obligation decreases slightly to account for the insurance premiums you’re already paying.
How Do I Modify an Existing Child Support Order?
Texas allows modification of child support orders under two circumstances defined in Texas Family Code § 156.401. First, if three years have passed since the last order and the recalculated amount would differ by at least 20% or $100 from the current order. Second, if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the order was entered.
The 2025 cap increase qualified as a material and substantial change, giving either parent grounds to request modification. If your order was calculated under the $9,200 cap and the paying parent earns more than that amount, you may be entitled to an increase.
To modify support, you must file a petition with the court that issued the original order. Gather current financial documents including pay stubs, tax returns, bonus records, and proof of any deductions. The court will recalculate support using the current guidelines and the parent’s current income.
What Happens If the Paying Parent Is Unemployed or Underemployed?
Texas courts don’t allow parents to avoid child support by refusing to work. Under Texas Family Code § 154.066, if a court finds that a parent is intentionally unemployed or underemployed, it can calculate support based on that parent’s earning potential rather than actual income.
Courts look at education, work history, job skills, and the local job market. A former software engineer who quits their job to work part-time at a coffee shop may find support calculated based on what they could earn as an engineer. Similarly, a parent who takes a significant pay cut right before a custody case may not benefit from that strategic decision.
For parents who are genuinely unemployed through no fault of their own, courts often presume minimum wage earnings (currently $7.25 per hour in Texas, or approximately $1,257 per month gross) as a baseline. Courts can also impute income from assets that aren’t producing earnings, such as rental property that sits vacant.
Can Child Support Continue After Age 18?
In most cases, child support in Texas ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Under Texas Family Code § 154.002, courts can order support to continue past age 18 if the child is still enrolled in an accredited secondary school program leading to a high school diploma.
The child must be attending school on a full-time basis and complying with minimum attendance requirements. Support ends when the child graduates or turns 19, whichever happens first, unless the child is disabled.
For children with disabilities that require substantial care and supervision, support can continue indefinitely. The disability must have existed before the child turned 18, and the child must require ongoing support due to the condition.
Why You Need a Family Law Attorney
While our calculator provides a useful estimate, child support involves nuances that a simple formula can’t capture. Self-employment income requires careful analysis of business expenses and deductions. High-income cases demand proof of the child’s additional needs. Multi-household situations need accurate accounting of all support obligations.
At Varghese Summersett, our family law attorneys handle child support matters in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and throughout Texas. We help parents navigate initial support orders, modifications, and enforcement when the other parent falls behind. Our team includes board-certified family law specialists who understand how local courts in Tarrant, Dallas, Harris, and surrounding counties approach these cases.
If you’re facing a child support issue, don’t rely solely on online calculators. Contact our office at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation. We’ll review your specific situation and help you understand what to expect in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Child Support
What is the maximum child support in Texas in 2026?
The maximum guideline child support in Texas is based on the $11,700 monthly net resources cap that took effect September 1, 2025. For one child, the maximum is $2,340 per month (20% of $11,700). For two children, it’s $2,925. Courts can order additional support above these amounts if the paying parent earns more than the cap and the receiving parent proves the child has additional needs.
How often does Texas adjust the child support cap?
Texas adjusts the child support cap every six years to account for inflation, as required by Texas Family Code § 154.125(a-1). The most recent adjustment occurred on September 1, 2025, when the cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700. The next scheduled adjustment will be in 2031.
Will my child support automatically increase with the new cap?
No. Existing child support orders do not automatically update when the cap changes. If you want your order recalculated under the new guidelines, you must file a formal modification petition with the court. The cap increase qualifies as a material and substantial change in circumstances, which provides grounds for modification.
Does Texas count a new spouse’s income for child support?
No. Under Texas Family Code § 154.069, courts cannot include a spouse’s income when calculating either parent’s net resources for child support purposes. The calculation is based solely on the paying and receiving parents’ individual incomes.
What if I have children with more than one person?
Texas uses a special calculation under Texas Family Code § 154.129 when the paying parent supports children in multiple households. The percentage applied to your income is reduced to account for your obligations to children not involved in the current case. Our calculator above factors in these adjustments automatically.
