{
  "slug": "child-support-calculator-texas",
  "title": "Texas Child Support Calculator (percentage-of-net-resources)",
  "heading": "Texas Child Support Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/child-support-calculator-texas",
  "summary": "Estimates guideline child support in Texas using the state's percentage-of-net-resources formula.",
  "description": "Estimates a guideline child support obligation in Texas using that state's percentage-of-net-resources model: the obligor's monthly net resources is capped at the statutory/editable cap, then multiplied by the guideline percentage for the number of children (1: 20%, 2: 25%, 3: 30%, 4: 35%, 5: 40%, 5+: same as 5). This is an estimate only, not legal advice — actual awards depend on the specific court, county guideline worksheets, and judicial discretion, and a judge may deviate from the guideline for good cause.",
  "formula": "Texas guideline = min(monthly net resources, cap) × guideline % for the number of children (1 child: 20%, 2 children: 25%, 3 children: 30%, 4 children: 35%, 5 children: 40%), plus the child's health insurance premium.",
  "dateModified": "2026-01-15",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=child-support-calculator-texas",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "monthlyResources",
      "label": "Obligor's monthly net resources",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": "Gross income minus taxes, Social Security, and health insurance premiums for the child",
      "default": 5000,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "children",
      "label": "Number of children in this case",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 7
    },
    {
      "id": "cap",
      "label": "Statutory net-resources cap (editable, set by the Texas Office of the Attorney General)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 9200,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "healthInsurance",
      "label": "Child's health insurance premium paid by obligor",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0,
      "unit": "$/mo",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "existingSupport",
      "label": "Existing court-ordered support for other children",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0,
      "unit": "$/mo",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "total",
      "label": "Estimated monthly support (incl. health premium)",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "guideline",
      "label": "Guideline percentage amount",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "pct",
      "label": "Guideline % applied (net resources)",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cappedResources",
      "label": "Net resources used (after cap)",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Obligor's monthly net resources: 5000 $",
      "Number of children in this case: 1",
      "Statutory net-resources cap (editable, set by the Texas Office of the Attorney General): 9200 $",
      "Child's health insurance premium paid by obligor: 0 $/mo",
      "Existing court-ordered support for other children: 0 $/mo"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Estimated monthly support (incl. health premium): $1,000",
      "Guideline percentage amount: $1,000",
      "Guideline % applied (net resources): 20%",
      "Net resources used (after cap): $5,000"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter obligor's monthly net resources ($) — Gross income minus taxes, Social Security, and health insurance premiums for the child.",
      "Enter number of children in this case.",
      "Enter statutory net-resources cap (editable, set by the texas office of the attorney general) ($).",
      "Enter child's health insurance premium paid by obligor ($/mo).",
      "Enter existing court-ordered support for other children ($/mo).",
      "Read your estimated monthly support (incl. health premium) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "monthlyResources": 3000,
        "children": 1,
        "cap": 5500,
        "healthInsurance": 0,
        "existingSupport": 0
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "monthlyResources": 5000,
        "children": 1,
        "cap": 9200,
        "healthInsurance": 0,
        "existingSupport": 0
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "monthlyResources": 8000,
        "children": 2,
        "cap": 14700,
        "healthInsurance": 0,
        "existingSupport": 0
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How does Texas calculate guideline child support?",
      "a": "Texas uses a percentage-of-net-resources: the obligor's monthly net resources, capped at the statutory/editable cap, is multiplied by a percentage that increases with the number of children (20/25/30/35/40%)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Texas applies the guideline percentage only up to the statutory net-resources cap; resources above the cap can get additional support only if the requesting parent proves the child's proven needs exceed the capped amount.?",
      "a": "Texas applies the guideline percentage only up to the statutory net-resources cap; resources above the cap can get additional support only if the requesting parent proves the child's proven needs exceed the capped amount."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does this include childcare or extraordinary medical costs?",
      "a": "Not automatically — this estimate covers the base guideline percentage plus the health insurance premium you enter. Courts in Texas can add childcare, uninsured medical, and extracurricular costs on top of the guideline amount."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this figure binding on a Texas court?",
      "a": "No. This is an estimate only, not legal advice — actual awards depend on the specific court, county guideline worksheets, and judicial discretion, and a judge may deviate from the guideline for good cause."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/alimony-calculator-texas"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Texas Child Support Calculator (percentage-of-net-resources) (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/child-support-calculator-texas)"
}