Child Support - Texas Law Help

Home » How Does Child Support Work In Texas » Child Support - Texas Law Help

Maybe your like

Skip to main content Home
  • Topics
    • Common Topics
      • Family, Divorce, and Children
      • Virtual Court
      • Health and Benefits
      • Veterans and Military
    • All Topics
      • Court Basics
      • Child Protective Services (CPS)
      • Criminal Records and Traffic
      • Money and Debt
      • House & Apartment
      • Individual Rights
      • Protection from Violence or Abuse
      • School and Work
      • Wills, Estate Planning, and Probate
  • Self Help
    • Featured Self-Help
      • Self-Help Guides
      • Ask a Question
      • Guided Forms
      • Informative Articles
    • More Resources
      • Court Information
      • Helpful Non-Legal Organizations
  • Legal Assistance
    • Find Help
      • Legal Help Directory
      • Legal Events & Clinics
    • More Resources
      • Qualifying for Legal Aid
      • Working with Private Attorneys
      • Professional Use Only (Forms)
      • Family Help Link
EN Search Search

Learn how to calculate child support, where it comes from, how long child support lasts, when and why the Office of the Attorney General may be involved, and more.

Special thanks to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for its contribution to this article.

Page Sections

  • What resources are counted for child support?
  • What income is subject to child support withholding?
  • What can be withheld from a paycheck in addition to current child support?
  • Percentage of Income Withheld from Income for Child Support
  • Multiple Families: Percentage of Income Withheld from Income for Child Support
  • How long do I have to pay support?
  • How can I change the amount of child support?
  • Why can’t I send child support directly to the custodial parent?
  • We don’t have a child support order. Why is the Attorney General involved?
  • Do I have to pay support if my child gets dependent benefits based on my disability?
  • Can a Texas child support order be enforced in other states?
  • What if we don’t agree on child support?

What resources are counted for child support?

With a few exceptions, child support is based on net income from all sources. Your employer is required by law to withhold child support from your wages, and any ordered medical and dental support and back child support.

Read Texas Family Code 154.061 and 154.062 for a full list of net resources.

What income is subject to child support withholding?

Income subject to child support withholding
Wages, overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions, self-employment incomeYes
Social Security Disability (SSDI); VA DisabilityYes
UnemploymentYes
Social Security RetirementYes
Worker's Compensation BenefitsYes
Self-employment from ride sharing or delivery appsYes
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)No
VA PensionNo
TANFNo

What can be withheld from a paycheck in addition to current child support?

In addition to current child support, withholding may include:

  • Medical support (cost of health insurance, CHIP, Medicaid),

  • Dental support (cost of dental insurance),

  • Arrearages (past due or “back” child support), and

  • Retroactive child support (support from parents' separation until orders are made by the court).

Texas Family Code 154.062.

Percentage of Income Withheld from Income for Child Support

Basic Guideline Child Support
Number of Children12345+
% Net Monthly Income20%25%30%35%40%

Multiple Families: Percentage of Income Withheld from Income for Child Support

Multiple Family Adjusted Guidelines% Net monthly

Number of Children Before the Court

12345+
Number ofOtherChildren forWhom theObligor Hasa Duty ofSupport020%25%30%35%40%
117.5%22.5%27.38%32.2%37.33%
216%20.63%25.20%30.33%35.43%
314.75%19%24%29%34%
413.6%18.33%23.14%28%32.89%
513.33%17.86%22.50%27.22%32%
613.14%17.5%22%26.6%31.27%
713%17.22%21.6%26.09%30.67%

Texas Family Code 154.125(b).

How long do I have to pay support?

Usually, child support ends when the last child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. If your child has a disability, it might last longer.

If the Department of Family and Protective Services ("DFPS," also known as "CPS") has temporary conservatorship of a child or permanent conservatorship of a child but parental rights have not been terminated, the court might order either or both parents to pay child support.

Even if your parental rights have been terminated, you might be ordered to pay child support until the child is adopted or any of the above-mentioned instances happen.

Note: If you owe back child support (arrearages), payments will continue even after the child turns 18—until the debt plus interest is paid in full. Terminating parental rights will not erase child support arrearages.

Read Texas Family Code 154.001 and 154.006 for more information.

How can I change the amount of child support?

To increase or decrease support, you must show a change in circumstances for the child or either party since the entry of the last child support order. Read Changing a Child Support Order for more information.

If you want to modify (change) your child support, use our child support modification guide. You can also ask the Office of Attorney General Child Support Division (OAG) to review the amount of current support if it’s been at least three yearssince the last child support order and the current amount varies from the child support guidelines by 20% or $100.

Why can’t I send child support directly to the custodial parent?

For court-ordered child support, the law requires all payments to go through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (SDU) so it is recorded before forwarding the payment to the custodial parent.

Payments sent to the custodial parent are not automatically credited against the child support obligation, and may even be considered a "gift."

Texas Family Code 154.004.

We don’t have a child support order. Why is the Attorney General involved?

If your child receives food stamps, Medicaid, WIC, or other government benefits, the OAG has the right to file for a child support order to offset the cost of those services, even if the parents don’t apply for support.

Do I have to pay support if my child gets dependent benefits based on my disability?

Possibly. Disability payments are subject to child support withholding. The court will use the child support guidelines (above) and subtract (offset) the amount of benefits paid to or for the child as a result of your disability.

Texas Family Code 154.132.

Can a Texas child support order be enforced in other states?

Yes. Every state is required to uphold the child support orders of another state under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Depending on the country, it can also be enforced internationally.

If you want to learn more, read Interstate Child Support Issues: Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).

What if we don’t agree on child support?

If you and the other party do not agree on child support your case is contested. It’s a good idea to talk with a lawyer if your case is contested.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) may also be able to help. Although the OAG cannot represent either parent, the OAG can ask a judge to make an order for child support, medical support, custody, and possession.

Once there is a final court order for custody and support of your children and you need a divorce, you can use the guide I need a divorce. We have minor children. A final custody and support order is already in place.

For information about opening a case with the OAG, call 800-255-8014 or visit their website.

Was this helpful? 16 -21
  • Print

Related Guides

  • I need a custody order. I am the child's parent (SAPCR).

    Child Custody & Visitation

    This guide tells you how to ask for a custody, visitation, child support, medical support, and dental support order. Explore Guide

  • I need to change a custody, visitation, or support order (Modification).

    Child Custody & Visitation

    This guide tells you how to modify an existing custody, visitation, child support, and medical/dental support order. Explore Guide

  • I need a custody order. I am not the child's parent (SAPCR).

    Nonparent Custody and Support Cases

    How to ask for a custody, visitation, child support, and medical support order. For grandparents and other nonparents. Explore Guide

    • Related Articles

    • Child Support in Texas

      This article discusses child support in Texas, including how to get or change a child support order. Read More

    • Why You're In Child Support (IV-D) Court

      This article explains why you may end up in IV-D Court, your role in the case, and other parties' roles in the case. Read More

    • Changing a Custody, Visitation, or Child Support Order

      This article answers frequently asked questions about changing an existing custody, visitation, child support, medical support, or dental support o... Read More

    • What to Expect in Child Support (IV-D) Court

      This article explains what to expect if you are ordered to appear in a IV-D Court (also known as child support court). Read More

    • Child Support and Lower Incomes

      This article explains the different guidelines for calculating child support when obligors have limited resources. Read More

    • Veterans and Child Support Issues

      This article provides basic information about veterans and child support issues. Read More

    Related Forms

  • Low-Income Child Support Guidelines Handout

    FM-CS-800

    Tables explaining child support guidelines when the obligor has less than $1,000/month in net resources. Download Form

    • Topics

    • Child Support & Medical Support
    • Divorce
    • Paternity
    • Family, Divorce & Children
    Back to top Quick escape Live Chat Available Open chat Live Chat Offline Live Chat Unavailable

    Tag » How Does Child Support Work In Texas