Texas calculates guideline child support as a percentage of the paying parent's monthly "net resources." The standard guideline percentages are 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more children. These percentages apply to net resources up to a statutory cap. Notably, Texas bases the calculation only on the paying parent's income rather than combining both parents' incomes, which differs from many other states. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount when applying it strictly would be unjust or inappropriate, considering factors such as the child's specific needs, medical or educational costs, and the possession schedule.

Texas uses the terms "conservatorship," which refers to a parent's rights and duties including decision-making, and "possession and access," which refers to parenting time, rather than the word "custody." In all decisions involving children, Texas courts are guided by the best interests of the child. Courts frequently appoint both parents as joint managing conservators, sharing rights and duties, though one parent is often given the exclusive right to determine the child's primary residence. Possession schedules set out when the child is with each parent. The specific arrangement depends on the family's circumstances, the child's needs, and each parent's situation, always centered on the child's best interests.

Net resources include most sources of income, then subtract a limited set of deductions. Income counted can include wages, salary, overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, interest, dividends, retirement income, Social Security benefits (excluding SSI), disability benefits, and unemployment benefits. Means-tested public assistance such as TANF, SSI, and SNAP is excluded. From that income, the court subtracts specific deductions: federal income tax calculated at the single-person rate, Social Security and Medicare taxes, union dues, and the cost of the child's health and dental insurance. Note that voluntary items like 401(k) contributions or a car payment are not deducted. The result is the net-resources figure the guideline percentages apply to.

Yes. Guideline child support is applied only to the paying parent's net resources up to a statutory cap. Effective September 1, 2025, that cap increased from $9,200 to $11,700 per month—the first adjustment since 2019. At the current cap, the maximum guideline amount is $2,340 per month for one child. For a parent earning below the cap, the percentage simply applies to their actual net resources. Courts can order support above the guideline amount when a child has proven needs that exceed it, such as extraordinary medical or educational expenses. Existing orders do not change automatically when the cap rises; a parent must seek a modification through the court.

No. Under Texas law, a new spouse's income cannot be counted when calculating child support. The court must exclude a spouse's resources, so remarrying does not by itself increase or decrease your child support obligation.

Not necessarily. A common misconception is that equal parenting time automatically means no child support, but that is not how Texas works. Even with a roughly 50/50 possession schedule, a court may still order the higher-earning parent to pay support to the lower-earning parent. The goal is to help ensure the child enjoys a reasonably similar standard of living in both homes rather than a large gap between them. The amount may be reduced to reflect the shared time, but it is not automatically zero. As with all support questions, the specific outcome depends on the parents' incomes and the details of the arrangement.