How Texas Calculates Child Support for Two Children

Texas child support amounts are set by state law, not by a fixed dollar number

Texas does not have a flat amount you pay for two children. Instead, the state uses a percentage of your gross monthly income to calculate what you owe. The percentage depends on how many children need support and whether you are already paying support for other children outside this case.

For two children, the standard percentage in Texas is 20 percent of your gross monthly income. This applies if you have no other children you are already supporting. If you do have other children from previous relationships, the percentage may be lower.

The court can order a different amount if the standard percentage would be unfair given your specific situation — for example, if you have a very high income, very low income, significant medical expenses, or custody time that is split equally or nearly equally between parents.

Key Takeaways

• Texas calculates child support as 20 percent of your gross monthly income for two children under the standard guideline.
• Gross income includes wages, salary, self-employment income, rental income, and some benefits, but the exact definition depends on your situation.
• The court can order more or less than 20 percent if the standard amount would be unjust or if you have other children you are already supporting.
• Child support continues until each child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, up to age 19.

What counts as gross income for the calculation

Gross income means income before taxes and deductions. In Texas, this includes your wages or salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividend income, and some government benefits. It does not include child support you receive from another parent, but it does include child support you pay to other children — that reduces the amount available for your current case.

If you are self-employed or own a business, the court will look at your net income from that business (revenue minus ordinary business expenses) over the past two years, usually averaging the two years together. If your income has changed recently, you may need to show tax returns or other proof of what you currently earn.

If you receive unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, or disability payments, those may count as income depending on the type and your state of residence. Military housing allowances and some other military pay also count. The safest approach is to bring your last two years of tax returns and your most recent pay stubs to any court hearing.

How the court can order a different amount

The 20 percent guideline is a starting point, not a ceiling. A judge can order you to pay more or less if following the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate. Courts call this a deviation from the guideline.

Common reasons for a higher order include: you have a very high income (Texas law caps guideline support at income over $10,000 per month, but judges can order more), the children have special needs or medical expenses, or one parent has significantly more custody time and higher expenses as a result. Common reasons for a lower order include: you have a very low income, you have other children you are already supporting, you have significant medical or disability expenses, or the parents share custody nearly equally and both have substantial parenting time.

If the court deviates from the guideline, it must state in writing why the guideline amount would be unjust. This written explanation is important because it affects your right to challenge the order later if your circumstances change.

When child support starts and stops

Child support typically begins on the date the court order is signed, though the order itself may say it starts on a different date — for example, the date you were served with the lawsuit or the date you and the other parent agreed to the amount. Back support (called arrearages) can be ordered if one parent did not pay during the time before the court order was signed.

Child support continues until the child turns 18 and has graduated from high school, or until the child turns 19, whichever comes first. If a child is still in high school after turning 18, support continues through the end of that school year or until the child turns 19, whichever is earlier. Support ends when ready if the child marries, joins the military, or is declared legally independent by a court.

The order does not automatically end when a child reaches the age limit — the parent paying support usually has to request that the court modify or terminate the order. However, most orders include language that support ends automatically on the specified date.

How to modify the amount if your income changes

If your income increases or decreases significantly after the court order is signed, either parent can ask the court to change the amount. Texas law allows a modification if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances — usually defined as a change of at least 10 percent in either parent's income or a significant change in custody.

To request a modification, you file a motion with the court that issued the original order. You will need to show proof of your current income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer) and explain what has changed. The other parent has a chance to respond. If you both agree on the new amount, the court can approve it quickly. If you disagree, a judge will hold a hearing and decide.

If you stop paying because you lost your job or your income dropped, you should file for modification right away rather than waiting. Unpaid support accumulates as debt, and the other parent can ask the court to enforce the original order against you even while a modification is pending.

How child support is paid and enforced

In most Texas cases, child support is paid through wage withholding, meaning your employer deducts the amount from your paycheck and sends it to the state. The state then forwards it to the other parent or deposits it into a debit card account. This is the most common method because it is automatic and creates a clear record of payment.

If you are self-employed or do not have a regular employer, you may pay directly to the other parent, to the court, or through the state's payment system. The court order will specify the payment method and due date (usually the first of each month).

If you fall behind on payments, the other parent or the state can enforce the order through wage garnishment, bank levies, license suspension, or contempt of court proceedings. Texas also reports unpaid child support to credit bureaus, which can affect your credit score. If you owe a large amount, the state can intercept your tax refunds or lottery winnings.

The difference between guideline support and what you might actually owe

The 20 percent figure is what the law presumes is fair for two children. But your actual order could be different based on your specific facts. A parent with very high income might pay more. A parent with very low income, or who is already supporting other children, might pay less. A parent who has the children more than half the time might pay less or nothing, depending on how the costs are split.

Additionally, child support covers basic living expenses — food, housing, utilities, clothing, school supplies. It does not automatically include extras like private school tuition, sports fees, music lessons, or summer camp, though the court can order one or both parents to split those costs separately. Medical insurance for the children is usually ordered separately as well.

The best way to know what you will actually owe is to gather your income documents and either consult with a family law attorney or use the state's child support calculator (available on the Texas Attorney General's website) as a starting point. The calculator shows what the guideline amount would be, but it cannot predict whether a judge would deviate from that amount in your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does child support change if I get custody of the children?

Yes. If custody changes so that you now have the children most of the time, child support would likely be reduced or eliminated. The other parent might owe you support instead. You would need to file a modification request with the court and show the change in custody. The new amount would be calculated based on the new custody arrangement and both parents' current income.

What if the other parent makes much more money than me?

The calculation is still based on your income, not theirs. You pay 20 percent of what you earn. However, if the other parent earns significantly more and has primary custody, they may be ordered to pay you support, or the court may order the higher-earning parent to cover certain expenses like health insurance or education costs on top of or instead of regular child support.

Can I get child support reduced if I lose my job?

You can ask the court to reduce or temporarily suspend support if you lose your job, but you must file a modification request promptly. straightforward stopping payment without a court order will result in arrearages (back support owed). If you file for modification and show you are actively looking for work, the court may lower your support amount while you are unemployed, though some judges set a minimum support amount even for unemployed parents.

Does child support cover health insurance and medical expenses?

Child support covers basic living expenses, but health insurance is usually ordered separately. The court typically orders one or both parents to maintain health insurance for the children and may order one parent to pay the other's share of uninsured medical expenses. These are separate from the monthly child support amount and are spelled out in the court order.

What happens if I remarry or have more children?

Having more children can be grounds for a modification because your income is now supporting more people. However, the court will not automatically lower your support for the first two children just because you chose to have more children. You would need to file for modification and show that your circumstances have changed. A new marriage itself does not change support, but if your new spouse's income affects your ability to work or your expenses change, that might support a modification request.