What You Should Know About Child Support in Texas

ByMarci Martinez

Child support in Texas is based on state guidelines that consider the number of children involved and the  parent’s income who is ordered to pay child support (Obligor). Payments typically go through the State Disbursement Unit, to the receiving parent (Obligee) and support may include health and dental insurance. Texas does allow child support modifications when income changes significantly.

Understanding Child Support in Texas

If you are going through a divorce or custody matter, child support is likely one of your biggest concerns. Texas has specific policies that determine how child support is calculated, who pays it, and how payments are handled. Understanding these rules helps you make informed decisions for your family.

Who Pays Child Support?

In most Texas cases, the parent who has the right to designate the child’s primary residence receives child support. The other parent, who is the joint managing conservator to the primary parent, is usually responsible for making the payments.

The purpose of child support is to help pay for the child’s needs and promote the children’s best interests. Children require housing, food, clothing, school-related items, and many other necessities. Child support is meant to be one sum number each month that contributes toward those expenses.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Texas uses child support guidelines based primarily on the number of children involved.

Current guideline percentages include:

  • One child: 20% of net resources
  • Two children: 25% of net resources
  • Three children: 30% of net resources

The percentage increases as the number of children increases.

Child support may also include obligations related to health insurance and dental insurance coverage for the child.

Is There an Income Cap?

Yes. Texas places a cap on the net resources used for guideline child support calculations. The current cap is approximately $11,700 in monthly net resources. This means that even if a parent earns substantially more than that amount each month, the guideline calculation is based on the capped figure rather than total earnings.

How Are Child Support Payments Made?

Child support payments are typically outlined in a court order and processed through the Texas State Disbursement Unit in Austin.

The paying parent sends support payments to the State Disbursement Unit, which then forwards the funds to the receiving parent. The state tracks payments for record keeping and enforcement purposes. This system helps establish a clear payment history. If payments are not made as ordered, those records can become important in an enforcement action if a parent fails to pay child support

How Is the Child Support Money Received to be Used?

A common concern involves how child support funds are spent. Generally, the paying parent does not have the right to dictate how the receiving parent uses the money. Likewise, the receiving parent is not entitled to demand additional funds beyond the court-ordered child support amount.

In short, child support is intended to contribute toward the child’s overall needs, including housing, food, clothing, and other everyday expenses.

What If Your Income Changes?

Texas law allows child support modifications if circumstances change. For example, if your income decreases because of a job change or reduced earnings, you may qualify for a modification. If you believe your financial circumstances have changed, speaking with an attorney is a good first step to determine whether modification may be available.

Contact Martinez Legal, P.C.

If you’re navigating divorce and need guidance on agreements, parenting plans, or protecting your interests, the dedicated team at Martinez Legal, P.C. is ready to help you move forward with confidence. Don’t let uncertainty shape your future, secure your peace of mind, reduce stress, and build a strong foundation for the next chapter.

Our office is located at 1317 E McKinney St #109, Denton, TX 76209. Call us at 940-242-2433.

FAQs

1. Does child support include health insurance in Texas?
Child support obligations can include health insurance and dental insurance coverage for the child.

2. Does the paying parent get to decide how child support is spent?
No. The paying parent does not have the right to direct how the receiving parent spends child support funds or require receipts.

3. What happens if I earn less than I did when the order was entered?
You may qualify for a child support modification if your income has decreased significantly. An attorney can help determine whether you meet the requirements for modification.

Marci Martinez

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As a founding partner of Martinez Legal P.C., Marci B. Martinez works with clients regarding their family law needs. She has extensive court experience, handling cases involving divorce, estate planning, adoptions, premarital agreements and private mediation for clients in Denton, the Dallas Metroplex and across Texas.
Ms. Martinez received her Bachelor of Science in human resource management from Arizona State University in 2002, Magna Cum Laude.

She earned her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2005. At law school, she was an Editor for the Arizona State Law Journal and the executive officer of the Christian Legal Society.

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