Child Support in Texas: How It Is Calculated and Who Collects It

The short answer

Texas child support is usually a percentage of the paying parent's monthly "net resources," which means income after certain taxes and costs Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(d). The guideline is 20% for one child, rising to 40% for five Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(b). Lower percentages apply when net resources are less than $1,000 a month Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(c). TexasLawHelp.org says the guidelines apply to net resources up to $11,700 per month TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas". The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Child Support Division is the state's official child support agency Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "Title IV-D and Child Support in Texas".

Who has to pay child support in Texas, and for how long?

A court may order either or both parents to support a child Tex. Fam. Code §154.001(a). The parent who pays is called the obligor. The parent who receives it is the obligee TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas". Support can be ordered in a divorce, a custody case (a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, or SAPCR), a paternity case, and other cases TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas".

Support can last until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later Tex. Fam. Code §154.001(a). It can end sooner if the child is emancipated, for example by marriage, or dies Tex. Fam. Code §154.001(a). For a disabled child, it can last for an indefinite period Tex. Fam. Code §154.001(a).

In a CPS case where DFPS is named temporary managing conservator (the party with legal custody for now), the court may order either or both parents to pay support Tex. Fam. Code §154.001(b).

How is child support calculated in Texas?

Step 1: find net resources. Resources include 100 percent of wages and salary, including commissions, overtime, tips and bonuses Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(b). They also include interest, dividends, royalties and self-employment income Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(b), plus other income actually being received, such as retirement and social security benefits other than SSI Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(b). TANF and other federal public assistance, and foster care payments, do not count Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(c).

The court then subtracts social security taxes, federal income tax figured for a single person, state income tax and union dues Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(d). It also subtracts the cost of court-ordered health or dental insurance for the child, and certain retirement contributions if the parent does not pay social security taxes Tex. Fam. Code §154.062(d).

Step 2: apply the percentage. If monthly net resources are at least the low-income amount and not above the maximum, the court presumptively uses this schedule Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(b):

Number of children	Guideline child support
1 child	20% of Obligor's Net Resources
2 children	25% of Obligor's Net Resources
3 children	30% of Obligor's Net Resources
4 children	35% of Obligor's Net Resources
5 children	40% of Obligor's Net Resources
6+ children	Not less than the amount for 5 children

If monthly net resources are less than $1,000, the court presumptively uses the low-income schedule instead Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(c):

Number of children	Low-income guideline
1 child	15% of Obligor's Net Resources
2 children	20% of Obligor's Net Resources
3 children	25% of Obligor's Net Resources
4 children	30% of Obligor's Net Resources
5 children	35% of Obligor's Net Resources
6+ children	Not less than the amount for 5 children

Suppose a parent has $3,000 a month in net resources and two children in the case. 25% of $3,000 is $750 a month. That simple math is only a starting point. If the parent has children in more than one household, the amount changes TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas", and TexasLawHelp.org points to the Texas Attorney General Child Support Calculator for that situation TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas".

Is there a cap on child support in Texas?

Yes, for the percentages. The guidelines are designed for net resources up to a maximum the Title IV-D agency publishes in the Texas Register Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(a). That amount is adjusted every six years for inflation Tex. Fam. Code §154.125(a-1). TexasLawHelp.org says it is $11,700 per month TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas".

Above the cap, the court applies the percentage only to net resources up to the cap, and may order more, depending on the parents' income and the child's proven needs Tex. Fam. Code §154.126(a). But the paying parent can never be ordered to pay more than the greater of the guideline amount or 100 percent of the child's proven needs Tex. Fam. Code §154.126(b).

Can the judge order more or less than the guidelines?

Yes, but the guidelines are the starting point. A guideline order is presumed reasonable and in the child's best interest Tex. Fam. Code §154.122(a). The court may decide that the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a case Tex. Fam. Code §154.122(b), and order a different amount if the evidence justifies it Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(a).

The law lists 17 factors Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b). They include:

• the child's age and needs, the parents' ability to pay, and the time each parent has with the child Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b);
• child care costs a parent pays in order to work Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b);
• health insurance and uninsured medical costs Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b);
• travel costs for visits Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b);
• any other reason consistent with the child's best interest Tex. Fam. Code §154.123(b).

The court must put findings in the order, such as the net resources and the percentage used, if the amount varies from the guidelines or a party asks Tex. Fam. Code §154.130(a). You can ask out loud in court during the hearing, or in writing before the final order is signed, but not later than 20 days after the date of rendition (the judge's ruling) Tex. Fam. Code §154.130(a). The order must give the specific reasons for any variance Tex. Fam. Code §154.130(b).

What about health insurance for my child?

Whenever a court orders regular child support, it must also order medical support Tex. Fam. Code §154.181(a). Before the hearing, both parents must disclose what health insurance the child has, or could get Tex. Fam. Code §154.181(b). For one child, "reasonable cost" means insurance that does not exceed nine percent of the paying parent's annual resources; for more than one child, the nine percent limit applies to the total cost for all of them Tex. Fam. Code §154.181(e).

Support and visits are separate. A court may not make a parent's time with the child depend on paying support Tex. Fam. Code §153.001(b), and you cannot withhold visits because the other parent has not paid TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas".

Who collects child support in Texas?

The OAG Child Support Division is the official "Title IV-D agency" in Texas Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "Title IV-D and Child Support in Texas". Title IV-D is the federal law that requires states to manage a public child support program Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "Title IV-D and Child Support in Texas". The division helps establish paternity, set child, medical and dental support orders, collect support and change support orders Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "Title IV-D and Child Support in Texas". It does not act as your lawyer, but it can go to court to get an order TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas". Payments go through its State Disbursement Unit (SDU) TexasLawHelp.org, "Child Support in Texas".

The OAG says applying online is the fastest way Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "How to Apply for Child Support". To get a paper application by mail, call (800) 252-8014 Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "How to Apply for Child Support". Give as much information as you can about yourself, the other parent and your children Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "How to Apply for Child Support".

In Parker County

In Parker County, district court family cases, including child support cases, are filed with the District Clerk in Weatherford. The clerk serves the 43rd and 415th Judicial District Courts, and all district court family cases are filed there Parker County, "District Clerk". Parker County's county courts at law have the same jurisdiction as a district court Tex. Gov't Code §25.1862, and the County Clerk keeps their court records Parker County, "County Clerk".

• Payments and records. The District Clerk says it updates child support information with the State Disbursement Unit Parker County, "District Clerk".
• Case or payment questions. The clerk's FAQ lists the Attorney General's Fort Worth Division at 817-731-9811 and the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit at 800-252-8014 Parker County, District Clerk FAQs.
• Local OAG office. The OAG lists a Weatherford child support office at 516 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford, TX 76086-6503 Office of the Attorney General of Texas, "Find Child Support Locations".
• Costs. The District Clerk's court costs sheet dated 1/1/2026 lists $350.00 for a new family suit and $80.00 for a modification or enforcement Parker County District Clerk, "Civil/Family Court Costs" (1/1/2026). If you cannot pay, its forms page has an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs Parker County District Clerk, "Forms".

Court addresses and phone numbers are on the Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help page. For help finding a lawyer, see Finding a Family Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County: Divorce, Custody, Child Support and Protective Orders.

What the law says

The amount of a periodic child support payment established by the child support guidelines in effect in this state at the time of the hearing is presumed to be reasonable, and an order of support conforming to the guidelines is presumed to be in the best interest of the child.

In plain words: the judge starts with the guideline amount and treats it as fair unless the evidence shows otherwise.

If the obligor's net resources exceed the amount provided by Section 154.125 (a), the court shall presumptively apply the percentage guidelines to the portion of the obligor's net resources that does not exceed that amount. Without further reference to the percentage recommended by these guidelines, the court may order additional amounts of child support as appropriate, depending on the income of the parties and the proven needs of the child.

In plain words: above the cap, the percentages stop, and any extra support depends on the child's proven needs and the parents' income.

Questions to ask a lawyer

• What counts in my net resources, and what can be subtracted?
• Do I have children in another household that change the amount?
• Is there a reason the court should vary from the guidelines in my case?
• Should I ask for written findings, and by when?
• Should I work with the OAG, hire a lawyer, or both?

Related

• Establishing Paternity in Texas
• Changing a Custody or Child Support Order in Texas (Modification)
• Child Custody in Texas: Conservatorship, Possession and the Best Interest of the Child
• Getting a Divorce in Parker County, Texas
• Finding a Family Lawyer in Weatherford and Parker County: Divorce, Custody, Child Support and Protective Orders
• Parker County and Weatherford, Texas: CPS and Family Courts, Court Records, DFPS Office and Free Legal Help