Child support is one of the first questions parents ask when a divorce or custody case begins: how much will it be, and how is it calculated? Texas uses a set of guidelines that make child support more predictable than many people expect. This article walks through how the guidelines work, what counts as income, how medical and dental support fit in, and how payments are made, whether your case is in Seguin, elsewhere in Guadalupe County, or anywhere in Texas.
Who pays and who receives
In most Texas cases, the parent who does not have the right to designate the child's primary residence pays child support to the parent who does. Even when parents share joint managing conservatorship, one parent is usually the "obligor" (the one who pays) and the other the "obligee" (the one who receives). With equal or near-equal time, the court may still order support, sometimes adjusted from the guidelines.
The guideline percentages
Texas child support is based on a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources. The basic percentages for a parent with no other children to support are:
| Number of children | Percentage of net resources | Monthly amount at the $11,700 cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | $2,340 |
| 2 | 25% | $2,925 |
| 3 | 30% | $3,510 |
| 4 | 35% | $4,095 |
| 5 | 40% | $4,680 |
| 6 or more | Not less than 40% | Not less than $4,680 |
Multiple families. If the paying parent has a legal duty to support children in another household, the percentages are lowered using a multiple-family table.
Lower incomes. If the paying parent's monthly net resources are very low (below $1,000), the guidelines use lower percentages.
Want a quick estimate? Try our Texas child support calculator.
What are "net resources"?
Net resources start with nearly all of the paying parent's income, including:
- Wages, salary, overtime, commissions, tips and bonuses.
- Self-employment income.
- Interest, dividends, royalties and net rental income.
- Retirement and pension income, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, unemployment and workers' compensation.
- Spousal maintenance or alimony received.
Some items are not counted, such as certain public assistance benefits, return of principal, and child support received for other children.
From that gross amount, these are subtracted:
- Federal income tax (calculated as if the parent were a single person, using the standard deduction).
- Social Security and Medicare taxes.
- State income tax (none in Texas, but it can matter if the parent lives elsewhere).
- Union dues.
- The cost of health insurance and dental insurance for the child.
The Texas Attorney General publishes a tax chart each year to help convert gross income into net resources.
Unemployed or underemployed parents
If a parent is intentionally unemployed or earning less than they could, the court can set support based on what that parent is able to earn. If there is no evidence of a parent's income, the court presumes the parent earns full-time wages at the federal minimum wage.
The $11,700 cap
Since September 1, 2025, the guidelines apply to the first $11,700 of the paying parent's monthly net resources (it was $9,200 before that). If the paying parent earns more, the court applies the percentage to $11,700 to get the presumptive amount. It can order more only if the child's proven needs justify it. The cap is reviewed and may be adjusted over time.
Can the court go above or below the guidelines?
Yes. The guideline amount is presumed to be reasonable and in the child's best interest, but the court can vary from it if applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. Factors include the child's age and needs, each parent's ability to contribute, child care expenses, extraordinary medical or educational costs, travel costs for visitation, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. If the court departs from the guidelines, it may be asked to explain why in the order.
Medical and dental support
Medical and dental support are in addition to regular child support. A typical order:
- Requires one parent to provide health insurance for the child if it is available at a reasonable cost, often with the other parent reimbursing the premium as additional support.
- Orders cash medical support if insurance isn't available, or orders a parent to cover the child through a government program.
- Requires dental insurance, if available at a reasonable cost.
- Splits uninsured medical and dental expenses (deductibles, copays, braces and so on) between the parents, often 50/50, with deadlines for submitting and paying bills.
How child support is paid
In most Texas cases, child support is paid through the Texas Attorney General's State Disbursement Unit (SDU). The SDU records each payment and forwards it to the receiving parent. That creates an official payment history, which protects both parents.
- Income withholding: most orders include an order to the paying parent's employer to deduct support from each paycheck and send it to the SDU.
- Other payment options: if withholding isn't in place, parents can pay through the SDU online, by mail, or at approved locations.
Payments made directly to the other parent, outside the SDU, may not be credited on the official record. If you pay any other way, keep proof, and talk to a lawyer about getting the order updated.
The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division has more information at texasattorneygeneral.gov.
How long child support lasts
Support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later (as long as the child is enrolled and meeting attendance requirements). It may end earlier if the child marries, is emancipated, or dies. For a child with a disability, support can continue indefinitely. See child support for adult disabled children.
Changing or enforcing support
Support can be changed when circumstances change significantly, or after three years in some cases. Read modifying child support in Texas. If support isn't being paid, there are strong enforcement tools.
Attorney Jesus R. Lopez helps Guadalupe County parents set fair support, review calculations and handle disputes. Learn more on our child support lawyer page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is child support for one child in Texas?
The guideline is 20% of the paying parent's monthly net resources, applied to up to $11,700 a month, plus medical and dental support. The court can vary the amount in some cases.
Is child support based on gross or net income?
Net. The guidelines start with gross income and subtract taxes, union dues and the cost of the child's health and dental insurance.
Does child support stop at 18 in Texas?
Usually it continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. It can continue indefinitely for a qualifying disabled child.
Can parents agree to a different amount?
Yes, parents can agree to an amount above or below the guidelines, but the judge must approve it and the agreement should explain why it's appropriate for the child.
Have questions about your situation? Talk with a Seguin child support lawyer. Consultations are free, by phone or in person, in English or Spanish.
Related guides
This article is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Laws change, and every case is different.