What Child Support Amounts Look Like for One Child in Texas

Texas child support is calculated using a percentage of the paying parent's income, not a fixed dollar amount

Texas does not set a flat payment for one child. Instead, the state uses the Texas Child Support Guidelines, which take a percentage of the paying parent's gross monthly income and adjust it based on how many children need support. For one child, that percentage is 20% of gross income — but only up to a monthly income cap that changes each year.

The actual dollar amount you pay or receive depends entirely on what the paying parent earns. A parent earning $2,000 per month would pay $400. A parent earning $5,000 per month would pay $1,000. The court can order a different amount if there are specific reasons — like a child with special needs, significant travel costs to see the child, or a parent with very high income — but the guideline percentage is the starting point.

Key Takeaways

• Texas calculates child support for one child at 20% of the paying parent's gross monthly income, up to an annual income cap that the state updates yearly.
• The actual payment amount varies widely depending on the paying parent's earnings, not on a set statewide rate.
• A court can order more or less than the guideline amount if circumstances like a child's medical needs or a parent's high income justify it.
• The paying parent's income includes wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, and some other sources — not just a salary.
• Child support orders can be modified if either parent's income changes significantly or other circumstances shift.

How the 20% guideline works with income limits

The state applies the 20% rate to gross monthly income, which means income before taxes and deductions. This includes W-2 wages, self-employment income, bonuses, commissions, rental income, and some other sources. It does not include child support the parent is already paying for other children, spousal support they are paying, or certain other deductions.

The guideline percentage applies only up to an income cap. This cap changes annually — it has been adjusted for inflation in recent years. Once a parent's income exceeds that cap, the court has discretion to order support above the guideline amount, but it is not automatic. A parent earning $15,000 per month would not automatically pay 20% of all $15,000; the court would calculate 20% up to the cap, then decide whether to add more based on the child's needs and other factors.

What counts as income for child support purposes

Texas courts look at a broad definition of income when calculating child support. Wages from employment are the most straightforward, but income also includes self-employment earnings, bonuses, commissions, overtime, rental income, interest and dividend income, and income from retirement accounts in some situations.

Income does not include child support the parent is already paying for other children, spousal support (alimony) they are paying, or TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) benefits. If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may consider what they could earn based on their education and work history, rather than accepting zero income as the basis for the calculation.

When a court orders more or less than the guideline amount

The 20% guideline is a starting point, not a ceiling. A judge can order a different amount if the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate given the circumstances. Common reasons include a child with significant medical or educational needs, substantial travel costs for the paying parent to visit the child, a parent's very high income, or a parent's very low income combined with other support obligations.

If the paying parent has other children from other relationships, the court may reduce the percentage for each child. For example, a parent with three children might pay 10% per child instead of 20% for one. The court must state its reasons in writing if it deviates from the guideline amount, so the order will explain why a different figure was chosen.

How child support changes if income changes

A child support order is not permanent in amount. If the paying parent's income increases or decreases by a certain threshold — typically 10% or $100 per month, whichever is less — either parent can ask the court to modify the order. This requires filing a motion with the court that issued the original order, usually through the local child support office or an attorney.

Changes in custody, the child's needs, or the receiving parent's income can also be grounds for modification. The court will recalculate using current income and circumstances. If the paying parent stops working or takes a lower-paying job without good reason, the court may still base support on their prior earning capacity rather than accepting the reduced income.

Where to find the current income cap and guideline details

The Texas Family Code Section 154.125 sets out the guideline percentages and the income cap. The cap is adjusted each January. You can find the current year's cap on the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division website or by contacting your local child support office. Your county's district court clerk can also provide this information.

If you have an existing order and want to know whether a modification is possible based on income changes, the child support office in your county can review your case. If you are establishing support for the first time, the court or a family law attorney can calculate what the guideline amount would be based on the paying parent's current income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Texas have a minimum child support amount?

Texas does not set a minimum dollar amount. However, if a parent's income is very low or zero, the court may still order some support based on what they could earn. The guideline calculation starts at 20% of gross income, so the amount depends on what that income is.

What if the paying parent is self-employed or has irregular income?

Self-employment income is included in the calculation. The court typically averages income over a period of time — often the prior two years — to account for fluctuations. If income is genuinely unpredictable, the court may order a base amount plus a percentage of income above a certain threshold, so support adjusts with actual earnings.

Can child support be ordered if the parents share custody equally?

Yes. Even with equal time-sharing, if one parent earns significantly more than the other, that parent may owe support. The court calculates based on the income difference and the guideline percentage. If both parents earn similar amounts, support might be minimal or zero, but it is not automatic.

How long does child support last in Texas?

Child support continues until the child turns 18 and graduates high school, whichever is later — or until age 19 if the child has not graduated. It can also continue past 18 if the child is disabled and unable to support themselves. The order will specify the end date.

What happens if the paying parent does not pay?

The receiving parent or the state child support office can pursue enforcement through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, or contempt of court proceedings. The paying parent's employer is required to withhold child support from paychecks if an order is in place.