How Much Child Support Will I Have to Pay?

Child Support is based upon the number of children and the net resources of the parent ordered to pay child support.  Net resources are determined by considering all income.  From the gross income, deductions are allowed for income taxes as stated by the Attorney General each year, social security taxes, Medicare taxes, mandatory union dues, and the cost of health insurance for the child.  After the deductions are subtracted from the net resources, a percentage is applied based on the number of children.  The percentages are:

1. One child – 20%
2. Two children – 25%
3. Three children –  30%
4. Four children –  35%
5. Five or more –  40%

If the paying parent has other children where there is a legal obligation, the percentages listed above are adjusted by 1.5% for each additional child.  The Court can deviate from the guidelines and order a different amount of child support based upon certain factors that are considered extraordinary expenses.

In addition, the paying parent will be required to maintain health insurance for the child at the paying parent’s cost.  The insurance cost will be deducted from the gross income to determine the net resources.  Parents are obligated to split the costs of uninsured expenses.

All Texas child support orders require a wage withholding order meaning that an employer is ordered to deduct the child support from a paycheck and pay directly to the child support registry.  The parties can agree to suspend the issuance of the order but the Court can not order the suspension of the order over the objection of one party.