Texas Legal Glossary · Family Law

Child Support

Written and reviewed by Shane M. Boasberg, founder of SMB Law, PC · Licensed in Texas since 2003 · Updated October 2026

Definition: Child support is the court-ordered payment one parent makes for a child’s living expenses under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, calculated by guidelines that apply 20 to 40 percent of the paying parent’s net monthly resources, capped at $11,700, depending on the number of children.

Also called: guideline child support, support order, child maintenance

What child support means in Texas

Child support in Texas is governed by Family Code Chapter 154. Section 154.001 authorizes the court to order either or both parents to support a child until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, and indefinitely for a child who is disabled. Support is the child’s right, not the receiving parent’s, and it exists independently of possession and conservatorship.

The amount comes from the guidelines in § 154.125. For one child, support is 20 percent of the paying parent’s monthly net resources; for two children, 25 percent; three, 30 percent; four, 35 percent; and five or more, 40 percent. The percentages are reduced when the paying parent also supports children in another household, under the table in § 154.129.

How it works in practice

The guidelines apply to net resources up to a cap, which is adjusted every six years for inflation under § 154.125(a-1). Since September 1, 2025, that cap is $11,700 per month. A parent earning more pays guideline support on the first $11,700; the court may order additional support above that only if the other parent proves the child’s actual needs require it under § 154.126.

Guideline support is presumed to be in the child’s best interest under § 154.122. The court may vary from it under § 154.123 by weighing factors such as the child’s age and needs, the time each parent has the child, and the parties’ financial resources. Payments are made through the Texas State Disbursement Unit by wage withholding in nearly every case. The order also addresses medical and dental support, usually by requiring one parent to carry insurance and the other to reimburse part of the premium.

Why it matters in your case

Because the formula is public and the inputs are few, most support disputes come down to the paying parent’s true income. Self-employment, bonuses, and intentional underemployment are where the fights happen. A support order is also enforceable by contempt, license suspension, and liens, so the number matters long after the divorce. If circumstances change, either parent can seek a modification under Chapter 156.

This entry explains Texas law in general terms and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Statutes and case law change; the date above reflects the last review.