Child support in Texas is intended to help cover a child’s essential needs – housing, food, clothing, health insurance, and everyday expenses – so that children are supported in both households. For parents, the rules can feel technical and the numbers can carry real consequences for budgets and co‑parenting relationships.
The R.A. Brown Legal Group guides parents through child support issues with clear strategy, practical counsel, and focused advocacy. Whether you expect to pay or receive support, we work to pursue orders that are fair, sustainable, and consistent with Texas law.
What follows is a high‑level overview of Texas child support. It is general information only, not legal advice, and it cannot replace a consultation about your specific facts.
Texas child support guidelines are based primarily on a percentage of the paying parent’s net resources, up to a statutory cap that is adjusted from time to time. “Net resources” is a defined term under Texas law and is not the same as take‑home pay or line items on a paystub.
Courts typically begin with the statutory percentage based on the number of children before the court, then consider adjustments for children in other households and for certain insurance premiums. The result is a monthly child support figure that is presumed to be in the child’s best interest unless there is a reason to deviate.
The figures below are examples only and are not a quote or prediction of what a court will order in your case.
| Number of children before the court | Guideline percentage of net resources | Illustrative example if net resources are $4,000/month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | Approximately $800/month |
| 2 children | 25% | Approximately $1,000/month |
| 3 children | 30% | Approximately $1,200/month |
| 4 children | 35% | Approximately $1,400/month |
| 5 or more children | 40% (or more, case‑specific) | Approximately $1,600/month or higher |
The guideline percentage is a starting point, not an automatic outcome in every case. Texas courts may deviate upward or downward if applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances.
Relevant factors can include a child’s special medical or educational needs, very high income or very low income situations, significant travel costs for possession and access, and how much time the child spends in each household. In some cases, parents agree to deviate from the guidelines as part of a broader settlement, subject to court approval.
Our role is to present clear, well‑documented arguments for or against deviation, grounded in your child’s best interests and your overall case strategy.
In addition to basic child support, Texas orders typically require one parent to provide health insurance (medical support) and may allocate responsibility for dental or vision coverage. Orders should also address how uninsured or out‑of‑pocket medical expenses will be shared.
Parents can also address other child‑related expenses such as extracurricular activities, tutoring, school supplies, or child care. While some of these items may be built into guideline support, others can be addressed separately by agreement or, in some cases, by specific court order.
We help parents think through what is realistic and appropriate to include in child support and medical support provisions so that expectations are clear and enforceable.
Child support is not automatically adjusted when life changes. In Texas, a court may modify a child support order if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances or if a certain amount of time has passed and the guideline amount would be different by a specified threshold.
Common reasons to seek modification include significant changes in income, a shift in the child’s primary residence, changes in health insurance costs, or evolving needs of the child. The court will still focus on the child’s best interests and the evidence you can present.
The R.A. Brown Legal Group helps parents evaluate whether a modification is appropriate, gather the documentation needed, and pursue or defend against modification requests in a strategic, measured way.
Unpaid child support can create real strain for both households. Texas law provides several enforcement tools, including income withholding, liens, license suspensions, money judgments and interest on arrears, and, in serious cases, contempt proceedings with possible fines or jail time.
Effective enforcement requires accurate accounting of what is owed, a clear understanding of existing orders, and thoughtful strategy. In some situations, it may be appropriate to negotiate repayment plans or to address related issues such as possession and access at the same time.
Our firm approaches enforcement matters with a balance of firmness and practicality, focusing on securing compliance with court orders while being candid about risks, timelines, and likely outcomes.
Many Texas child support cases involve the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which represents the State of Texas. The OAG can help establish, modify, and enforce child support, but it does not represent either parent or provide individualized legal advice about your broader family‑law strategy.
Retaining private counsel means you have an advocate focused on your specific goals, your overall case (including conservatorship and possession), and the long‑term implications of child support decisions. Your attorney can still coordinate with the OAG when appropriate, but your interests and priorities remain the focus.
The R.A. Brown Legal Group regularly works in matters where the OAG is involved and can help you understand what to expect when your case is in an OAG court, a district court, or both.
If you are facing a child support issue in Texas – whether you are at the beginning of a case, considering a modification, or confronting unpaid support – speaking with a knowledgeable attorney can help you make informed decisions and reduce uncertainty.
During a consultation, you can expect a candid discussion of your goals, a high‑level review of your situation, and an outline of potential paths forward. This conversation is confidential, but it does not create an attorney–client relationship until the firm formally agrees to representation and a written agreement is signed.