Child Support Calculations in Texas
Child support in Texas follows guidelines in the Texas Family Code, Chapter 154. The guidelines assign percentages of net income based on the number of children the obligor (person responsible for paying child support) must support. The child support guidelines apply to only the first $8,550 of monthly net income. Read more below from Shawn M. Rudisel, your Houston child support lawyer.
- How Child Support is Calculated in Texas
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- Houston Child Support Lawyer: Above the Guidelines
Net Income is all income (including overtime) minus taxes, union dues, and the cost of health insurance for the obligor’s child ordered by a court. A spouse’s income is not considered when calculating child support.
The Texas Child Support guidelines are as follows:
- 1 Child = 20% of Obligor’s net income
- 2 Children = 25% of Obligor’s net income
- 3 Children = 30% of Obligor’s net income
- 4 Children = 35% of Obligor’s net income
- 5 Children = 40% of Obligor’s net income
These percentages may be lower if the Obligor has other children he or she is under an obligation to support. Courts may also deviate from the guidelines and order additional amounts of Texas child support depending on the parties’ income and the proven needs of the child or children.