Skip to content
Both mothers and fathers often wonder, “How much is child support for fathers in Texas?” If you’re a father navigating the Texas family law system, you may be familiar with how the process works. Without a formal court order for child support, neither parent is legally obligated to make payments. If you find yourself in need of support and there is no existing court order, the process begins by filing in a Texas family law court to establish your child support obligations. Understanding the guidelines and how the court determines the amount is essential for both parents to fulfill their financial responsibilities.
Once a judge orders a parent to provide child support, there isn’t much room for deviation from this order. Some parents might question the ordered amount of child support, but it’s crucial to note that the amount wasn’t randomly chosen.
To begin, you will need to understand why child support is ordered, what it covers, and who will be awarded the child support in your Texas family law case.
Who Pays Child Support & What Is It For?
The noncustodial parent, or the parent who does not have custody of the child the majority of the time, is the parent who is responsible for paying child support. They are known as “obligors,” legally bound to the custodial parent to pay child support. The custodial parent is the parent who has custody of the child the majority of the time.
If you’ve been ordered to pay child support, understand that it’s collected for the child’s best interest. In Texas, we apply the “Best Interest of the Child” standard to determine orders for conservatorship, possession and access, and child support.
You pay child support to cover the necessities of your child’s life. These include shelter, clothing, and food. Although all your child support will cover other nonessential, necessary expenses can include uninsured medical costs, educational fees, or extracurricular expenses. As custodial parents receiving child support, they will likely work to make all of these expenses work within what they are receiving in child support and their equal contributions to the child’s resources.
Texas Child Support Guidelines
As it is with every state, Texas has its rigid statutory guidelines to calculate how much child support a parent should be paying. There are only guidelines, and every case has different circumstances and factors to consider when ordering child support. A judge retains the authority to order child support below or above the guidelines, depending on the circumstances. The parties themselves can also agree upon an amount deviating from the guidelines.
The calculation considers a percentage of the obligor’s monthly net income up to the first $9,200 per month of that income. The authorities revised the maximum net income in September 2019 and will adjust it every six years as the economy changes. Calculate the monthly net income by deducting all deductions from the obligor’s monthly gross income. These deductions can include federal income taxes, union dues, medicare and Social Security taxes, and insurance premiums.
After you have calculated your net monthly income depending on how many children you have, how much of your net monthly payment will go as child support. A breakdown of the rates per child is as follows:
Number of Children | Support Percentage |
1 | 20% |
2 | 25% |
3 | 30% |
4 | 35% |
If you have over four children, the child support will be calculated at 40% of your net monthly income.
What If I Don’t Have A Job?
Most parents believe that if they don’t have a job, they will have no obligation to pay child support. However, this could not be false. The Texas Family Code Section 154.068 states that a parent with no net resources can represent income equal to the minimum wage for a standard 40-hour workweek.
What If I Decide Not to Pay My Child Support?
If you violate your child support order, the custodial parent can proceed through any child support enforcement options. These enforcements can include fines, jail time, or garnishment of wages. To prevent child support payments from going unpaid, individuals can take steps to ensure that court orders are followed.
- Withholding Wages– The parent’s employer is notified to automatically withhold the parent’s child support amounts from their wages. The child support office then disburses that money to the custodial parent.
- Contempt– The violating parent can face contempt charges, resulting in potential jail time and community supervision for up to 5 years. Additionally, the court may order them to pay the attorney fees incurred during the enforcement action.
- Money Judgements– The amount of unpaid child support can be reduced to many judgments that accumulate interest.
- License Suspension– If you fail to pay child support for more than 90 days, the courts can order the suspension of any license you have.
How Can I Get My Child Support Amount Changed?
If significant changes in circumstances, such as job loss, affect your ability to pay child support, you may qualify for modification. In this modification, a family law judge will assess circumstances that may warrant a reduction in your child support. Any changes in child support payments that a judge has not ordered could land you in a bit of trouble. Therefore, you should handle all legalities concerning your children in a court of law.
In conclusion, how much is child support for fathers in Texas is determined based on a variety of factors that aim to support your child’s well-being. The court orders child support to ensure that your child receives the financial resources necessary for a stable and healthy upbringing. By understanding how child support is calculated, fathers can confidently fulfill their responsibilities and focus on prioritizing their child’s welfare, knowing they are contributing to a stable future.
If you still have questions about your child support or need help clarifying what your child support order means, please do not hesitate to contact our office to set up your FREE 30-minute consultation. Our expert attorneys will be glad to serve you and help you with all your family law matters. Thank you for reading today’s blog.
Ebook
If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “Child Custody E-Book”
If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “Father’s Rights E-Book”
Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Protecting Fathers’ Rights in Child Support Cases
- Does a Father Legally Have to Pay Child Support?
- Does Paying Child Support Give the Father Rights?
- Child Custody Basics in Texas
- Are Dads at a Disadvantage when trying to win 50/50 custody in a Texas Divorce?
- Sole Managing Conservator in a Child Custody Case in Texas?
- Help!! My Ex-Spouse Kidnapped my Child
- How Much Will My Texas Child Custody Case Cost?
- When Can a Minor Child Weigh in on Custody Decisions in Texas?”
- Child Custody Geographic Restrictions in Texas
- Firefighter visitation schedules for those who work 24-hour shifts
Frequently Asked Questions – Child Support
Child support calculations vary by state and depend on factors like income, custody arrangement, and the number of children. There are maximum limits in each state to ensure fairness.
Based on the noncustodial parent’s monthly net income, Texas determines the minimum child support amount. It may vary depending on the number of children involved.
Similarly, Texas has a maximum child support amount. To ensure reasonable child support, the calculation considers the income of the noncustodial parent and the number of children involved.
The Texas courts calculate child support for one child based on a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s income. Variations are based on the number of children. The court follows state guidelines to ensure a fair amount.
In Texas, child support is typically mandatory unless there are specific legal grounds for an exception. It’s essential to understand the legal process and comply with court orders to avoid penalties.
Texas determines child support amounts based on a percentage of the father’s income. This is based on the number of children involved and other factors like custody arrangement.
Even with 50/50 custody, Texas may still require child support. The court considers both parents’ incomes and the needs of the child to calculate child support amounts.
