Texas Family Law Guide
Child Support & Alimony Laws for 2024
Child Support Calculator
Calculate Texas child support based on current percentage guidelines and your specific situation
Calculate Child Support →Alimony Calculator
Calculate Texas spousal maintenance eligibility and amounts based on state requirements
Calculate Alimony →Texas Child Support Guidelines (Chapter 154)
Texas follows a straightforward percentage model for child support calculations. The non-custodial parent pays a percentage of their monthly net resources based on the number of children requiring support. These guidelines are considered "presumptively" in the best interest of the child.
Key Features:
- • Percentage of monthly net resources (not gross income)
- • Income cap at $9,200 monthly net resources
- • Different percentages for low-income obligors (under $1,000/month)
- • Multiple family adjustments when supporting other children
- • Standardized federal tax calculation (single filer, one exemption)
Standard Percentages ($1,000+)
Low-Income Percentages (<$1,000)
Effective for actions filed after September 1, 2021
Critical Limitations
- • Monthly net resources cap: $9,200
- • Income above cap: Court discretion for additional support
- • Multiple family adjustments reduce percentages
- • Federal tax calculated as single filer with one exemption
- • Health insurance "reasonable cost" test: 9% of gross income
- • Dental insurance "reasonable cost" test: 1.5% of gross income
Included as Resources
- • All wage and salary income
- • Commissions, overtime, tips, bonuses
- • Self-employment income
- • Interest, dividends, royalties
- • Net rental income
- • Retirement benefits and pensions
- • Trust income and annuities
- • Social Security benefits (except SSI)
- • VA disability benefits (service-connected)
- • Unemployment compensation
- • Workers' compensation
- • Capital gains
- • Gifts and prizes
- • Alimony received
Excluded from Resources
- • Return of principal or capital
- • Accounts receivable
- • TANF and federal public assistance
- • Foster care payments
- • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- • VA non-service-connected disability pensions
Allowable Deductions
- • Social Security taxes
- • Federal income tax (standardized calculation)
- • State income tax
- • Union dues
- • Court-ordered health/dental insurance for children
Texas Spousal Maintenance (Chapter 8)
Step 1: Initial Hurdle - Insufficient Property
The spouse seeking maintenance must demonstrate they will lack sufficient property (including separate property and property awarded in divorce) to provide for their minimum reasonable needs.
Step 2: Must Meet One of Four Conditions
A. Family Violence
Spouse was convicted of family violence against the other spouse or child within 2 years before filing or while divorce was pending.
B. Marriage Duration + Inability
Marriage lasted 10+ years AND spouse lacks earning ability to provide for minimum reasonable needs.
C. Disabled Spouse
Spouse has an incapacitating physical or mental disability preventing employment sufficient for minimum reasonable needs.
D. Disabled Child Care
Spouse serves as custodian of child of any age who requires substantial care due to physical or mental disability, preventing employment.
Amount Limitations
Maintenance cannot exceed the lesser of:
- • $5,000 per month, OR
- • 20% of spouse's average monthly gross income
Court has discretion to award less than this maximum amount
Duration Limits by Marriage Length
Shortest supportive period that allows spouse to earn sufficient income
Texas Family Code - Child Support
Texas Family Code - Spousal Maintenance
Ready to Calculate Your Support?
Use our Texas-specific calculators to get accurate estimates based on current state guidelines.