Houston Child Support Lawyer

Texas uses a guideline-based system to calculate child support, primarily driven by the paying parent’s resources and the number of children being supported. This ensures consistency while still allowing courts some flexibility when needed.

Child support is generally calculated as a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s net monthly income, which includes wages, bonuses, commissions, and other income sources. The guideline calculations apply up to a monthly net resources cap – currently $11,700.

The standard guideline percentages are:

• 20% for one child
• 25% for two children
• 30% for three children
• 35% for four children
• 40% for five children

While these guidelines provide a starting point, courts can adjust the amount based on the child’s specific and parents’ circumstances. For example, these may include medical or developmental needs, childcare expenses, educational costs, or the logistics of parenting time across different locations. This allows the court to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and focus on what is truly in the best interests of the child.

Child support is intended to continue until a child reaches adulthood. In most cases, this is until the child turns 18, or the child graduates from high school, whichever occurs later.

There are also situations where child support may end earlier. If a child marries, becomes legally emancipated, or passes away, a parent can request termination of the support order through the court.

Conversely, Texas law also recognizes that some children may require longer-term care beyond childhood. If a child has a disability that prevents them from becoming self-supporting and requires ongoing supervision, the court may order child support to continue longer or even indefinitely. These cases are highly fact-specific and take into account the child’s needs, available resources, and the level of care required.

Texas does not require parents to pay for a child’s college tuition or other post-secondary education expenses once child support ends.

That said, parents can voluntarily agree to share these costs as part of a divorce or custody agreement. When properly structured, these agreements can help avoid future disputes about educational expenses. For many families, planning ahead for college, whether through agreements or other strategies, can make a significant difference in long-term financial stability.

Child support orders can often be modified when life circumstances shift. In Texas, parents may request a child support modification when certain legal thresholds are met.

A modification may be appropriate if:

• It has been at least three years since the last order, and the new calculation would differ by at least 20% or $100, or
• There has been a substantial change in circumstances

Common examples of substantial change include a significant increase or decrease in income, job loss, changes in custody arrangements, or the child’s evolving needs.

It’s important to understand that informal agreements between parents, no matter how well-intentioned, are not legally enforceable unless approved by the court. If payments are reduced or discontinued without a formal modification, the paying parent can still be held responsible for the full amount owed.

When child support is not paid as ordered, the impact is often immediate and significant for both the child and the non-paying parent. Texas provides strong enforcement tools to address non-payment and bring accounts back into compliance.

If support is overdue, the receiving parent can file a Motion for Enforcement with the court. From there, the court may take a variety of actions to collect unpaid support, including:

• Wage garnishment
• Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
• Interception of tax refunds
• Liens on bank account or property
• Seizure of lottery winnings
• Contempt of court, which can include fines or jail time

Unpaid support may also be reported to credit agencies, affecting the non-paying parent’s financial standing. These enforcement mechanisms are designed not just to penalize non-payment, but to restore financial stability for the child as quickly as possible.