Texas Child Support Calculator

Q: What is the Texas Standard Possession Order?

The Texas Standard Possession Order gives the NCP the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends, Thursday evenings, alternating holidays, and 30 summer days — roughly 100 overnights per year (27%). An Expanded SPO totals about 145 overnights (40%).

Q: Does the other parent's income affect Texas child support?

No. Texas only considers the non-custodial parent's net resources. The custodial parent's income is irrelevant to the guideline calculation, unlike income shares states.

Q: How does Texas handle multiple families and other children?

When the NCP has other children, Texas uses a modified percentage schedule from Family Code §154.129 that reduces the guideline percentage proportionally to account for obligations to other children.

Q: When can Texas child support be modified?

Texas allows modification after 3 years if the new amount differs by $100 or 20%, or when there is material and substantial change in circumstances. Modification is prospective — it does not eliminate past arrears.

Estimate TX guideline child support as a percentage of net resources. Rates: 20%–40% depending on number of children. $9,200/mo net resources cap.

All calculations are private — nothing leaves your browser

NCP Monthly Gross Income

All sources of income

Children in This Case

NCP Overnights Per Year

nights

Standard possession = ~100 nights

Texas Child Support (Guideline)

$1,425/mo

Net Resources$5,701/mo

Applied %25%

TX Net Resources Cap$9,200/mo

TX rates: 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 30% (3), 35% (4), 40% (5+) of net resources. Net resources cap: $9,200/mo.

Advanced Calculator

TX net resources visualization, $9,200/mo cap bar chart, multiple families offset (FC §154.129), and year-by-year projection.

+ Open Advanced Calculator

TX Inputs

NCP Gross Annual Income

Children in this Case

Health Insurance/mo

TX Child Support

$1,546/mo

Net Resources$4,983/mo

Base CS %25%

Base CS$1,246/mo

Medical Support$300/mo

Net Resources Breakdown for $85,000/yr

Gross Income$85,000/yr

Est. Federal Tax (22%)−$18,700/yr

FICA (7.65%)−$6,503/yr

Net Resources$59,798/yr ($4,983/mo)

Monthly CS (2 children) by Gross Income

Gold bars = income above $9,200/mo net cap

Professional Simulator

Full TX net resources breakdown, FICA/federal tax calculation, other children offset, possession schedule financial impact, and 20-year lifetime projection.

+ Open Professional Simulator

NCP Income — Gross Total: $100,000/yr

W-2 / Wages

Self-Employment Net

Bonuses

Rental Income

Disability / Social Security

Unemployment Benefits

Union Dues

Retirement Contributions

Children & Medical Support

Children

Other Children (other families)

Health Insurance/mo

Dental Insurance/mo

TX Professional Child Support Analysis

$1,936/mo

Net Resources Calculation

Gross income: $100,000/yr

Federal income tax: −$13,702

FICA (7.65%): −$7,650

SE tax: −$2,543

Net Resources: $76,105/yr ($6,342/mo)

Support Breakdown

Base CS (25%): $1,586/mo

Health insurance: +$300/mo

Dental insurance: +$50/mo

Total: $1,936/mo

% of Net Resources25.0%

% of Gross Income23.2%

NCP Net After CS$4,407/mo

How Texas Child Support Works

Texas uses the Percentage of Net Resources model, applying a flat percentage directly to the non-custodial parent's net resources. This is simpler than income shares models but only looks at one parent's income rather than both parents combined.

Texas Guideline Percentages

1 child: 20% of net resources
2 children: 25%
3 children: 30%
4 children: 35%
5 or more children: 40%

Net Resources Cap

Texas caps the net resources at $9,200 per month (as of 2023, adjusted periodically). For NCP income above this cap, support on the excess is at court discretion based on the children's proven needs. This means the maximum guideline support for 2 children is approximately $2,300/month.

What Counts as Net Resources in Texas

Texas defines net resources as gross income minus: Social Security taxes (FICA), federal income taxes (based on single-filer, one personal exemption per child), state income taxes (none in TX), union dues, and health insurance premiums for the children.

Net Resources = Gross Income − FICA − Federal Tax − Union Dues − Child Health Ins.
Net Resources = min(calculated net, $9,200)
Monthly Child Support = Net Resources × Guideline %

Worked Example

Dad (NCP): $7,500/mo gross. Two children. Standard possession order.

Gross Monthly Income$7,500

FICA (7.65%)-$574

Federal Tax (approx 15%)-$1,125

Net Resources$5,801

× 25% (2 children)$1,450

+ Health Insurance+$180

Total Monthly Support$1,630

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Texas Standard Possession Order? ▼

The Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) gives the non-custodial parent the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of each month, Thursday evenings during the school year, alternating holidays, and 30 days in the summer — roughly 100 overnights per year (about 27% of the time). An Expanded SPO adds Thursday overnight and extends summer to 42 days, totaling about 145 overnights (40%). These possession orders do not directly change the guideline support amount in Texas.

Does the other parent's income affect Texas child support? ▼

No. Unlike income shares states, Texas only considers the non-custodial parent's net resources. The custodial parent's income is irrelevant to the guideline calculation. This can result in very different support amounts depending on which parent is custodial. Courts may consider the custodial parent's income when deciding whether to deviate above the cap, but not for below-cap calculations.

How does Texas handle multiple families and other children? ▼

When the NCP has other children — either from another relationship or in a new household — Texas uses a modified percentage schedule. The guideline percentages are reduced proportionally to account for the NCP's obligations to other children. For example, if an NCP pays support for 1 child from a previous relationship and has 1 child in the current case, the percentage applied to net resources is reduced. The exact calculation requires a table lookup from Texas Family Code §154.129.

Is medical support mandatory in Texas? ▼

Yes. Texas courts must order medical support in addition to basic child support. The court orders one or both parents to provide health insurance coverage when it is available at a reasonable cost — generally defined as not more than 9% of the parent's annual resources. The premium is added to the monthly support obligation. Texas also divides uninsured medical expenses 50/50 by default or proportionally to income.

When can Texas child support be modified? ▼

Texas allows modification when: (1) it has been 3 years since the order was set or last modified AND the new calculated amount differs by $100 or 20% from the existing order, OR (2) there is a material and substantial change in circumstances. Common triggers include significant income changes, job loss, new children, changes in custody, or changes in the children's needs. Modification applies only going forward — it does not eliminate past-due arrears.