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Many parents assume that child support only covers basics like food and clothing, but in reality, it goes much further. In Texas, the law provides clear guidelines outlining what child support covers, ensuring that a child’s full range of needs is met. This includes housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and other essential expenses tied to the child’s well-being. When one parent handles the majority of daily care, the other contributes through regular support payments to help balance the financial load. By understanding what child support covers, both parents can better follow court orders, reduce conflict, and focus on providing a stable, supportive environment for their child.
Who Pays Child Support?
In most cases, the noncustodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. The custodial parent is the one who has the child most of the time and usually covers more of the daily expenses. The law assumes both parents have a duty to support their child, even if only one makes the payments.
If the parents share custody equally, child support may still apply. The court looks at both incomes and may require the higher earner to pay support to balance the financial responsibilities.
How the Court Calculates Child Support
Texas follows a percentage-based model to calculate child support. The amount depends on the paying parent’s income and how many children are involved. The state uses the parent’s net income, not gross income, for these calculations.
Basic Percentage Guidelines
Here is the breakdown based on the number of children:
- One child – 20% of the net income
- Two children – 25%
- Three children – 30%
- Four children – 35%
- Five children – 40%
- Six or more – no less than 40%
These percentages apply only to the first $9,200 of monthly net resources as of 2024. If a parent earns more than that, the court may order additional support based on the child’s actual needs.
What Counts as Net Income?
First, net income includes the parent’s wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other earnings. Then, after calculating the total income, the court subtracts certain expenses—such as taxes, Social Security, union dues, and the cost of the child’s health insurance or medical support.
The result is the amount used to calculate child support.
What Child Support Covers
Child support is meant to pay for the child’s basic needs. This includes:
- Food
- Housing
- Clothing
- Education
- Transportation
- Health insurance premiums
Texas courts may also include costs for daycare, school supplies, and medical expenses not covered by insurance. The support order usually names one parent as responsible for carrying insurance, and both may share uncovered costs.
Support does not typically include things like gifts, vacations, or college tuition unless the court orders it or both parents agree.
How Long Child Support Lasts
Child support usually continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever happens later. However, it may end sooner if the child:
- Marries
- Joins the military
- Is legally emancipated
If the child has a disability that prevents them from becoming self-supporting, the court may order support to continue beyond age 18.
Medical and Dental Support
Texas law requires one parent to provide health insurance. The court decides who pays for the plan and who covers any out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses. Usually, the paying parent provides the coverage through their job or pays a set amount each month if coverage comes from another source.
Both parents may share extra medical bills, such as co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, and therapy, based on their income and what the court orders.
How to Start a Child Support Case
Parents can establish support by working with the Texas Attorney General’s Office or hiring a private attorney. If paternity isn’t already in place, they must first establish it. They can do this voluntarily by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity or by completing a court-ordered DNA test.
Once paternity is confirmed, the court can issue a child support order, set up a custody schedule, and assign medical duties.
Support orders become legally binding once a judge signs them. Ignoring the order can lead to legal trouble.
How Child Support Is Collected
Texas typically uses income withholding to collect child support. The paying parent’s employer deducts the support amount from their paycheck and sends it to the Texas State Disbursement Unit. The state then forwards the money to the receiving parent.
Other payment options include:
- Check or money order
- Online portal through the Attorney General’s website
- Payment kiosks or walk-in centers
Missed payments can add up quickly and trigger enforcement actions.
What Happens When Payments Stop
If the paying parent falls behind, the Office of the Attorney General can take action to collect the money. Some enforcement methods include:
- Garnishing wages or bank accounts
- Suspending driver’s licenses or professional licenses
- Intercepting tax refunds or lottery winnings
- Filing liens on property
- Reporting missed payments to credit agencies
- Filing for contempt of court, which could lead to jail time
Support orders remain in effect until a new one replaces them. Even if a parent loses their job or has a drop in income, they must ask the court for a modification. The court does not automatically adjust the payments.
Can Parents Modify Child Support?
Yes. Child support orders can be modified if there’s a material change in circumstances. Common reasons include:
- A parent loses their job
- A parent gets a raise
- The custody arrangement changes
- The child’s needs increase
Either parent can request a review through the Attorney General’s Office or file a motion with the court. Until the court approves a new order, the existing one stays active.
Do Parents Still Have to Pay Support if They Don’t See the Child?
Yes. Child support and visitation are separate issues in Texas. A parent cannot stop paying just because they don’t get to see the child. If the other parent is violating the visitation schedule, the paying parent must go to court to enforce it. Withholding support will only create more legal problems.
What to Expect During a Support Hearing
During the hearing, the judge will review each parent’s income, expenses, and the child’s needs. Both sides can present documents like pay stubs, tax returns, insurance records, and school or medical bills. If both parents agree to a support amount, the court may approve it if it meets legal guidelines.
If there’s no agreement, the judge makes the final decision based on the law and the child’s best interests.
Tips for Managing Child Support in Texas
- Keep records of all payments and receipts
- Stay current with income changes and file for modifications quickly
- Track healthcare and extra costs in writing
- Communicate through email or written platforms to avoid disputes
- Never make side agreements without court approval
These steps protect both parents and help avoid problems with enforcement.
Final Thoughts
What child support covers in Texas is guided by strict legal standards, but the details vary based on each family’s unique situation. Factors like parental income, custody arrangements, and the child’s specific needs all influence the final support amount. These payments cover essentials like food, housing, education, medical care, and daily expenses to support the child’s well-being and stability after a separation.
While the law provides structure, even minor errors or misconceptions can lead to serious legal setbacks. Parents who understand what child support covers and follow the proper procedures are more likely to avoid delays, penalties, and unnecessary conflict—while ensuring their child receives reliable support during a challenging transition.
Child Support Ebook
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Child Support in Texas 2023: Frequently Asked Questions
Child support in Texas is calculated based on the non-custodial parent’s income and the number of children in need of support. As of 2023, it’s usually 20% for one child, with an increase of 5% for each additional child, up to 40%.
As of 2023, the Texas child support law allows for the consideration of both parents’ income in the child support calculation. Also, Texas has raised the maximum limit on the net resources amount used to calculate child support from $8,550 to $9,200 per month.
As of 2023, for a non-custodial parent, the child support for one child in Texas is typically 20% of their net income after taxes.
In Texas, as of 2023, the child support for three children is typically 30% of the non-custodial parent’s net income. However, the upper limit is based on the first $9,200 of the parent’s net monthly income.
Even with 50/50 custody, one parent might still have to pay child support in Texas. This usually occurs when there is a significant disparity in the incomes of the parents.
As of 2023, the child support guidelines in Texas consider both parents’ income. The goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living had the parents stayed together.
The maximum child support in Texas is capped based on the first $9,200 of the payer’s net monthly resources. This cap can be exceeded if the child has special needs or circumstances that warrant higher support.
Yes, child support may increase if the paying parent’s salary increases. Either parent can request a review of the child support order if there’s been a material and substantial change in circumstances, which can include an increase in the payer’s income.
Yes, Texas is strict on child support enforcement. Consequences for non-payment can include wage garnishment, license suspension, liens on property, and even jail time for contempt of court.
