Understanding Child Support in Texas
Raising a child comes with financial responsibilities, and child support ensures that both parents contribute—even if they’re no longer together. In Texas, child support laws are designed to make sure that a child’s basic needs, education, and healthcare are financially covered by both parents, regardless of custody arrangements.
If you’re navigating a child support case—whether you’re the parent paying or receiving—it’s important to understand who pays child support, how it’s calculated, what it covers, and how it can be enforced or modified.
This guide will break down:
- How child support works in Texas
- Who is responsible for paying child support
- How the amount is determined
- How long child support lasts and what happens if a parent doesn’t pay
What Is Child Support?
Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation that one parent pays to the other to help cover the costs of raising their child. The purpose is to ensure that the child’s food, clothing, education, medical care, and other basic needs are met, even when parents are living separately.
Example of Child Support in Action
“Child support is money that one parent pays to the other to help take care of the child’s day-to-day needs, like food, clothing, and education.”
Child support payments help bridge financial gaps so that children receive a consistent standard of care regardless of which parent they are living with.
Who Pays Child Support?
How Courts Determine Who Pays
Typically, the non-custodial parent (the parent who does not have primary custody) is the one who pays child support to the custodial parent (the parent who primarily lives with the child). This system helps balance financial responsibility between both parents.
Example of Who Pays Child Support
“If your child lives with you most of the time, the other parent would likely pay child support to help with the costs of raising the child.”
Even if both parents share decision-making under Joint Managing Conservatorship (JMC), one parent may still be responsible for child support payments, depending on income and parenting time.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
Texas follows a standard formula for calculating child support, based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent’s net resources (income after taxes and allowable deductions).
Child Support Guidelines in Texas
- 1 child: 20% of the non-custodial parent’s net resources
- 2 children: 25% of net resources
- 3 children: 30% of net resources
- 4 children: 35% of net resources
- 5 or more children: 40% of net resources
Example of Child Support Calculation
“If you have one child, the other parent would typically pay 20% of their net income in child support. If they earn $3,000 a month after taxes, they’d pay about $600 per month.”
Other Factors That May Affect Child Support Amounts
- Additional children: If the non-custodial parent has children from another relationship, the percentage may be adjusted.
- Medical expenses: Health insurance costs for the child can impact the final amount.
- Extraordinary expenses: Special medical or educational needs may be factored into the payment structure.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Child support is meant to cover the basic necessities of raising a child, but it can also be used for other important expenses.
Typical Expenses Covered by Child Support
✔ Housing & Utilities – Rent, mortgage, electricity, water, and other household costs that help provide a stable home.
✔ Food & Clothing – Groceries, school uniforms, seasonal clothing, and everyday necessities.
✔ Education Costs – School supplies, tuition (if applicable), tutoring, and extracurricular activities.
✔ Medical Expenses – Health insurance, doctor visits, medications, and dental care.
✔ Childcare – Daycare, babysitting, or after-school care expenses.
Example of What Child Support Covers
“Child support is used to cover your child’s everyday needs, like paying for groceries, school supplies, medical bills, and even extracurricular activities.”
While child support is not meant to cover personal expenses for the receiving parent, it does help ensure that the child’s financial needs are consistently met.
How Long Does Child Support Last?
Standard Child Support Duration in Texas
Child support usually continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school—whichever happens later.
However, there are some exceptions where child support may last longer:
- If the child has a disability, support may continue indefinitely.
- If the child is emancipated (gets married, joins the military, or becomes financially independent), child support may end early.
Example of Child Support Duration
“Child support will continue until your child turns 18 or finishes high school, whichever comes later. If your child has a disability, it could last even longer.”
Can Child Support Be Modified?
Life circumstances change, and so can child support payments. If there’s been a significant change in financial situation, a parent may request a modification of the child support order.
Common Reasons for Modifying Child Support
- The paying parent loses their job or has a significant decrease in income.
- The paying parent gets a substantial raise or promotion.
- The child’s financial needs increase due to medical or educational expenses.
- The custody arrangement changes (e.g., the child starts living with the paying parent).
Example of Child Support Modification
“If your financial situation changes—like if you lose your job or get a raise—you can request the court to modify the child support amount.”
To request a modification, you must file a petition with the court and provide evidence of the changed circumstances.
What Happens If a Parent Doesn’t Pay Child Support?
Failing to pay child support can lead to serious legal consequences. Texas courts have strict enforcement measures to ensure that children receive the support they are entitled to.
Ways Child Support Is Enforced in Texas
✔ Wage Garnishment – Child support can be automatically deducted from the parent’s paycheck.
✔ Tax Refund Interception – If the parent is behind on payments, their tax refund may be seized.
✔ License Suspension – Failure to pay can result in suspension of a driver’s license or professional licenses.
✔ Bank Account Seizure – The court may place a lien on bank accounts to recover unpaid support.
✔ Jail Time for Contempt of Court – In extreme cases, a parent who refuses to pay can be held in contempt and sentenced to jail.
Example of Child Support Enforcement
“If the other parent doesn’t pay child support, the court can take action to collect the money, like taking it directly from their paycheck or even placing liens on their property.”
If a parent is struggling to make payments, it’s always better to seek a modification rather than stop payments altogether.
Final Takeaways: Child Support in Texas
Child support is a legal obligation that ensures children receive the financial support they need from both parents. Here’s what to remember:
✔ The non-custodial parent typically pays child support to the custodial parent.
✔ Texas calculates child support based on a percentage of net income.
✔ Support payments cover essential expenses like housing, food, medical care, and education.
✔ Payments continue until the child turns 18 or graduates high school (whichever is later).
✔ Child support orders can be modified if financial circumstances change.
✔ Failure to pay child support can lead to serious legal consequences.
Need Legal Assistance? Contact Nida Din Today
Understanding Texas child support laws can be complicated, especially when dealing with modifications, enforcement, or disputes. Whether you need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support, Nida Din is an experienced family law attorney serving Austin and surrounding communities. Call (512) 333-0715 Today.