HOW TO CALCULATE AND ENFORCE CHILD SUPPORT IN TEXAS
Texas Child Support Model
Texas uses a percentage of income model when ordering child support. The custodial parent’s income is not calculated into the final child support amount. Rather, the Judge will look at the non-custodial parent’s financial information when determining how much child support he or she will be required to pay. The percentage will vary depending on how many children are involved.
1 child = 20% of the noncustodial parent’s average monthly net resources
2 children = 25% of the noncustodial parent’s average monthly net resources
3 children = 30% of the noncustodial parent’s average monthly net resources
4 children = 35% of the noncustodial parent’s average monthly net resources
5 children = 40% of the noncustodial parent’s average monthly net resources
Additional Considerations
In addition to regular child support payments, the non-custodial parent may also be required to provide medical insurance coverage for the children.
Enforcement Methods
Texas uses a number of different enforcement methods when parents fail to meet their monthly child support obligations.
- Suspending parents’ professional licenses and/or driver’s licenses.
- Deducting child support funds from parents’ paychecks.
- Seizing any funds parents may receive from lottery winnings or income tax refunds.
- Filing a lien against their properties and/or bank accounts.
Parents who are seriously delinquent in making their court-ordered child support payments may be added to the child support evaders list. Negligent parents must owe more than $5,000 in past due child support funds, have a warrant out for their arrest and be at least six months delinquent in their payments in order to be added to the list.
