Child Support in Texas Is Not a Flat Percentage – Here’s How It’s Actually Calculated and What Can Change It
Child support in Texas follows a percentage-based formula under the Texas Family Code, but the final number depends on net resources – not gross income – and can shift based on factors like multiple children, shared custody time, health insurance costs, and self-employment income. The income cap for guideline calculations is $9,200 per month in net resources as of 2025. Courts can deviate from standard percentages when circumstances warrant it, and informal agreements between parents carry no legal enforceability without a formal court order. Parents in Fort Bend County and Harris County benefit most from getting the calculation reviewed by an attorney before agreeing to any amount, especially when income is variable or possession schedules are non-standard.