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TX Statutory GuidelineOffice of the Attorney General of Texas (OAG) Child Support Division

Texas Statutory Child Support Calculator

Texas bases child support exclusively on the paying parent’s (Obligor’s) Net Resources. The custodial parent’s income is not factored into the basic guideline calculation. Net resources are subject to a statutory monthly cap of $9,200. Official statutory authority: Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133.

Specialized Scenarios:50/50 Shared Custody ↓High-Income Deviation ↓Sole Custody Guidelines ↓
Statutory Scope: This page calculates estimated Child Support under Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133. It does not compute Spousal Support (Alimony). Child support is determined strictly for minor children.

Statutory Case Parameters

Texas (TX)
1Governing Jurisdiction
Statutory Basis: Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133
2Monthly Incomes & Allowable Deductions
$
Pre-tax salary, wages, business revenue
$
Mandatory union dues & retirement
$
Pre-tax salary, wages, business revenue
$
Mandatory union dues & retirement
3Number of Dependent Children Covered
4Annual Custody Overnights (Out of 365)
Parent A: 183 Overnights (50.1%) Parent B: 182 Overnights (49.9%)
0 nights (Sole Parent B)183 nights (Equal 50/50)365 nights (Sole Parent A)
5Children's Health Insurance Premium
$
Only incremental premium for child(ren)
Cost is credited or prorated by income shares
Parent A (Possessory Conservator)TX Guideline
Estimated Baseline Guideline Amount
$501 / mo
Annualized: $6,012 / year
⚠️ESTIMATE ONLY — NOT LEGAL ADVICE

This automated tool calculates a preliminary statutory guideline estimate. Actual child support orders are determined by a judge and frequently deviate based on health insurance, childcare, taxes, and judicial discretion.

Notice: This tool calculates Child Support, not Spousal Support (Alimony).
Combined Income$12,000
Basic Support Total$1,382
Parent A Share62.5%
Parent B Share37.5%
Independent Legal NoticeTX Family Law Guidance

When to Consult a Licensed Texas Family Law Attorney

Judges in Texas routinely depart from statutory guideline math when specific deviation factors exist (unusual travel costs for visitation, private school tuition, extraordinary medical needs, or dual-household expenses).

  • ■Evaluate discretionary deviation thresholds for your specific jurisdiction
  • ■Verify allowable self-employment deductions & net resource offsets
  • ■Draft enforceable formal stipulations with the clerk of court
Find Licensed Counsel via Official Bar Directory →

Alimonify is an independent informational calculation tool and is not a law firm, legal aid provider, or certified lawyer referral service. Alimonify does not provide legal representation, legal advice, or attorney referral services.

Statutory Framework Analysis

Texas Legal Mechanics & Court Standards

Legislative Formula & Terminology

Net Resources = Gross Income - (Social Security + Medicare + Federal Income Tax + Union Dues + Health Insurance). Guideline support is 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 30% (3), 35% (4) of Net Resources capped at $9,200/month.

  • Custodial Parent Term: Primary Managing Conservator (Obligee)
  • Obligor Parent Term: Possessory Conservator (Obligor)
  • Shared Custody Regime: 50/50 Joint Managing Conservatorship (Offset Method)
  • Official Court Form: Texas Child Support Guidelines Calculation Worksheet (154-A)

Key Statutory Thresholds (2025/2026)

Shared Custody Trigger183 Overnights
Triggers cross-credit calculation
Statutory Cap$9,200/mo
$110,400/yr ceiling
Self-Support Reserve$1,200/mo
Protected subsistence income
Minimum Order Floor$100/mo
Statutory floor for indigent payors
Custody & Income Case Law Compendium

Texas Custody Schedules, High-Income Caps & Precedent

How Texas family courts apply Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133 across 50/50 equal parenting schedules, high-net-worth income deviations, and traditional sole physical custody orders:

Equal Parenting Time

Texas: 50/50 Shared Custody

Load 50/50 Shared Custody Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: Texas courts apply the judicial "offset method", calculating each parent’s percentage obligation and ordering the higher earner to pay the net difference.

Key Statutory Rules

  • The Texas Family Code (Chapter 154) does not contain a statutory 50/50 shared custody calculation table.
  • Texas family courts uniformly apply the common law "Judicial Offset Method" for 50/50 physical possession schedules.
  • Each parent’s hypothetical obligation is computed under standard percentages (20% for 1, 25% for 2, 30% for 3 children) against their net resources.
  • The parent with the higher net resources pays the net difference between the two obligations.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Texas family court judges enforce the offset method in equal custody agreements, capped at the $9,200 monthly net resource statutory ceiling.

Controlling Authority: In re A.M.P., 368 S.W.3d 842 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2012); Tex. Fam. Code § 154.123.

Practical Calculation Benchmark

Parent A ($6,000 net resources) owes $1,500 (25% for 2 children). Parent B ($3,000 net resources) owes $750. Parent A pays the net offset of $750/month.

Cap Deviation Analysis

Texas: High-Income Deviation

Load High-Income Deviation Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126 caps guideline calculations at $9,200 monthly net resources. Additional support requires evidence of specific proven needs.

Key Statutory Rules

  • Texas Family Code § 154.126 establishes a strict statutory cap on net resources of $9,200 per month (adjusted for inflation every six years).
  • The maximum presumptive guideline order for 2 children is 25% of $9,200, which equals $2,300 per month.
  • To receive support exceeding $2,300/mo, the custodial parent must prove specific, documented lifestyle needs of the child.
  • Additional support cannot be ordered simply because the obligor earns millions; it must directly correlate with child expenses.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Texas judges rarely exceed the $9,200 cap for general child support, instead ordering direct payment of private school tuition, travel, or medical coverage.

Controlling Authority: In re P.C.S., 320 S.W.3d 525 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2010); Tex. Fam. Code § 154.126.

Practical Calculation Benchmark

An obligor earning $40,000/mo net resources is ordered to pay guideline max $2,300/mo plus 100% of the child’s $2,500/mo private school and club sports.

Primary Custodian Baseline

Texas: Sole Custody Guidelines

Load Sole Custody Guidelines Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: Standard Texas guideline applies directly to the obligor’s net resources: 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children up to the $9,200 monthly cap.

Key Statutory Rules

  • Standard Possession Orders (SPO) in Texas (1st, 3rd, 5th weekends plus Thursdays and summer) are classified as sole custody for child support.
  • Obligor pays the flat statutory percentage of monthly net resources: 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children.
  • Custodial parent’s income is completely excluded from the statutory percentage calculation.
  • Obligor must provide health and dental insurance or pay cash medical support capped at 9% of gross income.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Texas courts apply Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 without variance for Standard Possession Order schedules.

Controlling Authority: Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125; In re J.R.P., 526 S.W.3d 770 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017).

Practical Calculation Benchmark

Obligor with $5,000 monthly net resources pays 20% ($1,000/month) for 1 child, plus provides medical coverage.

Statutory Adjustment Guide

Allowable Income Deductions in Texas

Under Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133, gross earnings are adjusted for mandatory expenses prior to applying the guideline schedule. The following statutory deductions reduce parental support obligations:

Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062(d)(1)

Social Security (FICA) and Medicare

Social Security taxes and federal Medicare tax withholdings are deducted from gross resources.

Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062(d)(2)

Federal Income Tax (Single filer standard)

Federal income tax withholding based on single claiming one personal exemption and standard deduction.

Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062(d)(3)

Union Dues

Mandatory union dues required as a condition of employment.

Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062(d)(4)-(5)

Child Health and Dental Insurance Premiums

Expenses for health insurance coverage and dental insurance for the obligor’s child.

Judicial Discretion

Grounds for Departure from Texas Guideline Math

Statutory child support formulas carry a rebuttable presumption of correctness. However, family court judges may depart from formula yields upon written findings of extraordinary circumstances:

⚖️ Age and Needs of the Child (§ 154.123(b)(1))

Special physical, mental, or educational needs requiring specialized funding.

⚖️ Ability of Parents to Support (§ 154.123(b)(2))

Substantial wealth, non-cash perquisites, or significant business expense write-offs.

⚖️ Child Care Expenses (§ 154.123(b)(6))

Extraordinary employment-related child care costs incurred by either parent.

⚖️ Travel Costs for Visitation (§ 154.123(b)(14))

Extensive long-distance transportation costs incurred by the non-custodial parent.

Mathematical Case Study

Worked Case Example: Texas Percentage of Net Resources (2 Children)

Case Facts: Obligor Parent A has gross monthly income of $8,000. After statutory tax chart deductions and child health insurance ($350/mo), Parent A has $6,000 in monthly net resources. Custodial Parent B has custody of 2 children.
Step 1: Calculate Monthly Net ResourcesGross $8,000 - Taxes $1,650 - Health $350 = $6,000 Net Resources / month

Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062, gross income is converted to statutory net resources.

Step 2: Check Against Statutory Net Resource CapNet Resources $6,000 is below the $9,200 statutory cap.

Because net resources do not exceed $9,200, the statutory percentage applies to the entire $6,000.

Step 3: Apply Statutory Percentage for 2 ChildrenTexas statutory rate for 2 children = 25%. Support = $6,000 × 25% = $1,500 / month.

Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125, the statutory guideline for two children is exactly 25% of net resources.

Step 4: Account for Medical & Dental SupportParent A maintains child health insurance directly ($350/mo).

Because Parent A directly provides health insurance, no additional cash medical support is ordered.

💡 Calculated Judicial Order: Obligor Parent A pays $1,500 / month in child support plus maintains $350/month health insurance under Texas Family Code Chapter 154.
State Legal Questions

Texas Child Support Guidelines FAQ

How is child support calculated in Texas for 50/50 custody?

While the Texas Family Code does not have a formal statutory 50/50 formula, Texas courts commonly use the "offset method" for equal custody. The court calculates each parent’s obligation as if they were paying the other, and the parent with the higher net resources pays the net difference.

What is the Texas maximum child support cap in 2025/2026?

The Texas statutory cap on obligor monthly net resources is $9,200. For one child (20%), the maximum guideline obligation is $1,840/month; for two children (25%), $2,300/month. Any support exceeding these amounts requires evidence of the proven lifestyle and educational needs of the child.

Does the custodial parent’s income matter in Texas?

Under Texas statutory guidelines, the custodial parent’s income is irrelevant to the standard calculation. Child support is calculated solely from the non-custodial parent’s net resources, unless there is a request for deviation under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.123.

How is child health insurance handled in Texas?

Under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.182, the obligor is required to provide medical support and health dental insurance for the child. The cost of health insurance is deducted from the obligor’s gross income to determine net resources, or ordered as cash medical support (capped at 9% of obligor’s gross income).

Administrative & Interstate Framework

Texas Title IV-D Agency & Interstate Support Framework

Official State Enforcement

Office of the Attorney General of Texas

Title IV-D child support services in Texas are administered through the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. The agency manages automated income withholding, interstate order registration, federal parent locator queries (FPLS), and medical support enforcement under Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.061 - 154.133.

Mandatory Court Worksheet: Texas Child Support Guidelines Calculation Worksheet (154-A)
Interstate Moves & UIFSA

Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction (CEJ)

If either parent or child relocates outside of Texas, modification and collection proceedings are strictly governed by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA, 42 U.S.C. § 666(f)) and the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act (28 U.S.C. § 1738B).

Read Interstate Child Support & UIFSA Guide →