How Are Child Support Obligations Calculated and Modified?
In Texas, child support is generally calculated using the paying parent's monthly net resources, the number of children receiving support, and state guidelines. The courts may adjust the amount based on specific circumstances, and parents can request a modification if their circumstances change significantly or an existing order meets certain legal requirements.
Whether you pay or receive child support, a job loss, salary increase, or change in your child's needs can affect your existing arrangement. Understanding the calculation and modification process can help you determine your options.
At Tefera Law Firm, PLLC, based in Colleyville, Texas, we help parents understand and make informed decisions about child support calculations, modifications, and related family law matters. Contact us now to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation to discuss your case and explore how child support obligations are calculated and how they can be modified in Texas.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Texas courts generally calculate child support by determining the paying parent's monthly net resources and applying a percentage based on the number of children covered by the order. The paying parent is called the obligor. When determining child support, the courts will typically follow the below procedure.
Step 1: Determine the Paying Parent's Net Resources
A parent's net resources include more than regular wages. The courts will generally consider income from several sources, including the following:
Salaries, wages, overtime, commissions, and bonuses
Self-employment and business income
Rental income, interest, and dividends
Certain retirement, disability, and unemployment benefits
The court will subtract any allowable deductions, including applicable taxes, Social Security contributions, union dues, and qualifying medical and dental insurance expenses for the child. If a parent's income records are unavailable or unreliable, the court may consider other evidence of financial resources to determine an appropriate support amount.
Step 2: Apply the Texas Child Support Guidelines
Texas courts will apply the applicable guideline percentages to the paying parent's monthly net resources. When the parent has no other children they are legally obligated to support, the following percentages generally apply:
One child: 20% of the parent's monthly net resources
Two children: 25% of the parent's monthly net resources
Three children: 30% of the parent's monthly net resources
Four children: 35% of the parent's monthly net resources
Five children: 40% of the parent's monthly net resources
Six or more children: At least 40% of the parent's monthly net resources
For example, if your monthly net resources are $4,000 and you support two children under the same order, the standard calculation is $1,000 per month. Effective September 1, 2025, the guidelines established under Chapter 154 of the Texas Family Code apply to monthly net resources up to $11,700. If your resources exceed this amount, the court may order additional support based on the parents' financial circumstances and the child's proven needs.
Texas also applies reduced guideline percentages when monthly net resources are $1,000 or less. For instance, the guideline for one child decreases from 20% to 15%. If you believe the court is using inaccurate income figures or deductions, our attorneys can help you review the calculation and address disputed financial information.
What Factors Can Affect Child Support Payments?
Texas's child support guidelines provide a starting point for calculating payments, but the courts may consider other circumstances when determining the final amount. These include the parent's obligations to other children, medical and dental expenses, and the child's specific needs.
Other children the parent must support: If you have a legal duty to support children from another relationship, Texas provides adjusted guidelines that account for those responsibilities. The adjustment depends on how many children you must support and which guideline applies to your financial circumstances.
Medical and dental support: Texas generally addresses medical and dental coverage separately from regular child support payments. A court may require a parent to provide insurance or contribute toward coverage costs. The order may also specify how parents divide medical expenses that insurance does not cover. These obligations can increase your total financial responsibility beyond the monthly child support amount.
Special financial or family circumstances: The courts may depart from standard guidelines when factors such as the child's educational or medical needs, the parents' financial resources, and the time each parent spends caring for the child justify a different amount. If a parent intentionally remains unemployed or earns less than they reasonably could, the court may consider earning potential. However, a lower income alone does not establish that a parent is intentionally avoiding support.
When Can Child Support Be Modified?
In Texas, you can request a child support modification if you experience a significant change in your financial or family circumstances. However, the court must determine whether your situation meets the legal requirements before approving an increase or decrease in payments.
A Material and Substantial Change in Circumstances
A material and substantial change means an important circumstance affecting the child or someone covered by the order has changed enough to justify reconsidering support. Examples include a significant decrease in income, job loss, or changes in your child's healthcare or insurance needs.
The Three-Year Review Rule
A court may modify child support when at least three years have passed since the order was established or last modified, and the existing payment plan differs from the current guidelines by either 20% or $100.
For example, if your existing payment is $500 per month and the updated guideline amount is $650, the $150 difference exceeds both $100 and 20% of your current payment. Either threshold is sufficient when the other requirements are met. However, if the parents previously agreed to a support amount that differed from the guidelines, a material and substantial change is generally required instead.
How Can You Request a Child Support Modification?
To modify a child support order, you must follow the legal modification process. You cannot simply agree with the other parent to change payments. The process generally involves four steps:
Review your existing order: Check the payment amount, the order date, and whether your circumstances meet the modification requirements.
Gather supporting evidence: Collect pay stubs, tax returns, employment records, insurance documents, and other relevant financial information.
Request a modification: Request a review through the Texas Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division or file a modification case in the appropriate court.
Complete the legal proceedings: The matter may proceed through the Child Support Review Process or a court hearing. Any agreed modification must receive the required legal approval.
At Tefera Law Firm, PLLC, we provide child support modification assistance to parents seeking an increase or decrease in their obligations. We can evaluate whether your circumstances justify a change, prepare supporting documents, and represent you in disputed proceedings.
Get Legal Help With Your Texas Child Support Obligations
Texas child support guidelines determine how payments are calculated, while modification rules allow courts to reconsider existing obligations when circumstances justify a change. Knowing how these rules apply to your situation can help you address payment disputes and your child's financial needs.
At Tefera Law Firm, PLLC, our attorneys, Chrissy Tefera and Jessica Arreguin, can review your child support concerns and advocate for your interests. Located in Colleyville, Texas, we represent parents throughout Tarrant County, including Keller, Grapevine, Southlake, Fort Worth, and Arlington, as well as Dallas, Denton, and surrounding communities. Contact us today to schedule your free 30-minute phone consultation.