What Child Support Covers in Texas and What It Doesn't

Child support in Texas covers basic living expenses, but the law draws specific lines

In Texas, child support is meant to pay for the child's ordinary living costs: food, shelter, utilities, clothing, and school supplies. The paying parent sends money to the receiving parent (or sometimes directly to the state), and that money goes toward day-to-day needs. Texas law does not require child support to cover every expense a child might have — some costs are split separately, and some fall outside the child support order entirely.

The amount ordered depends on the paying parent's income and how many children need support. A judge or the parents themselves (if they agree) decide what that amount is. Once set, the order lists what the money covers and what it does not. Understanding the difference matters because you may end up paying or receiving more than the base child support amount if you and the other parent disagree about who pays for extras.

Key Takeaways

• Child support in Texas covers food, housing, utilities, clothing, school supplies, and basic childcare — the routine costs of raising a child.
• Medical insurance, dental work, orthodontics, and vision care are usually ordered separately from child support and split between parents according to the court order.
• Extracurricular activities, summer camps, private school tuition, and college expenses are not automatically covered by child support and often require a separate agreement.
• The child support order itself spells out which parent pays for what, so reading the actual order is the only way to know your obligations or rights.

What child support covers: the basics

Child support pays for the essentials: food, a place to live, utilities (water, electric, gas), clothing, and school supplies like books and notebooks. It also covers basic childcare if the receiving parent works or goes to school. The money is not meant to be tracked item by item — the receiving parent decides how to spend it on the child's day-to-day needs.

The amount is calculated using the Texas Child Support Guidelines, which take the paying parent's net monthly income and explore a percentage based on how many children need support. For one child, the guideline is roughly 20 percent of net income; for two children, 25 percent; and so on. A judge can order more or less than the guideline amount if the circumstances warrant it, but the guideline is the starting point in most cases.

Medical, dental, and vision care: usually separate from child support

Health insurance for the child is typically ordered separately from child support. One parent is ordered to carry the child on their health insurance plan (usually the parent with better or more affordable coverage), and both parents split the cost of the premium. The parent without the insurance on their plan usually pays a portion of the premium to the parent who does.

Out-of-pocket medical costs — copays, deductibles, prescriptions, dental work, braces, and glasses — are also usually split between parents, often 50/50 or in proportion to their incomes. These costs are spelled out in the child support order as additional obligations, separate from the base child support amount. If the order does not mention them, you may need to go back to court or reach a new agreement with the other parent.

Extracurricular activities and enrichment: not automatically included

Sports, music lessons, summer camps, art classes, and other enrichment activities are not covered by child support unless the order specifically says so. These are considered extras beyond basic needs. If both parents agree the child should do an activity, they can agree to split the cost, but neither parent is automatically required to pay for them.

If the parents disagree about whether to enroll the child in an activity, the parent with primary custody usually has the right to decide. However, if that parent wants the other parent to help pay, they need either a written agreement or a court order saying so. Many child support orders include language about how to handle requests for extra expenses, so check your order to see what it says.

Private school, tutoring, and college: handled case by case

Private school tuition is not covered by child support. If one parent wants the child in private school, that parent typically pays for it unless both parents agree otherwise or a court orders it. The same applies to tutoring, test prep, and other educational extras.

College expenses — tuition, room and board, books — are also not automatically covered by child support. In Texas, child support orders normally end when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If a parent wants the other parent to contribute to college costs, that requires a separate agreement or a court order made before the child support order ends. Some parents include college contribution language in their original order; others handle it later if the child does go to college.

How to know what your order requires

The only way to know for certain what you are required to pay or what you are may have access to to receive is to read the actual child support order. The order will list the base child support amount, who pays it and to whom, and then list any additional obligations — such as health insurance, medical cost splits, or specific activity costs.

If your order is unclear, or if a situation comes up that the order does not address (for example, the child needs braces and you and the other parent disagree on cost), you have a few options. You can try to reach a written agreement with the other parent about how to split the cost. You can file a motion to modify the child support order if circumstances have changed significantly. Or you can ask a family law attorney to review your order and advise you on your obligations.

What happens if you disagree about extra expenses

Disagreements over who pays for extras — a school trip, a medical procedure, a sports team — are common. If the child support order does not address the expense, neither parent is automatically required to pay for it beyond their base child support obligation.

If the child lives primarily with one parent, that parent can choose to pay for the extra themselves. If both parents want the child to have something but disagree on cost-sharing, they can negotiate. If negotiation fails and the expense is significant, the parent who wants the other parent to contribute can file a motion to modify the order. A judge will consider whether the expense is reasonable and how to split it based on each parent's income and ability to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does child support cover my child's phone bill or car insurance?

No. Phone bills and car insurance are not covered by child support unless your specific order says they are. These are considered extras. If you and the other parent agree to split them, put that agreement in writing. If you disagree, you would need to file a motion to modify the order and ask a judge to address it.

What if the child needs therapy or counseling?

Mental health care is usually treated like other medical expenses: the child's health insurance covers part of it, and parents split the out-of-pocket costs. Check your child support order to see if it specifies how to split therapy costs. If it does not, you may need to reach an agreement with the other parent or file a motion to modify the order.

Can child support be used for the parent's expenses, like rent or car payments?

No. Child support is meant for the child's needs, not the parent's personal bills. However, the receiving parent does use part of the child support money to pay for housing and utilities that the child lives in — that is considered part of the child's basic needs. The receiving parent is not required to account for every dollar spent.

If I pay for something extra, can I deduct it from child support?

No. You cannot unilaterally reduce child support payments because you paid for an extra expense. Child support is a separate legal obligation from other costs. If you believe you should not have to pay child support and also pay for extras, you would need to file a motion to modify the order and ask a judge to adjust the base amount or clarify who pays for what.

Does child support cover the cost of a school field trip or class supplies?

Yes, school field trips and classroom supplies are part of basic education costs and are covered by child support. These are ordinary school expenses, not extras like private tutoring or enrichment activities. If a school charges a fee for a field trip, that comes out of the child support money the receiving parent receives.