Texas guidelines start with a straightforward idea: once the court determines the paying parent’s net monthly resources, it applies a percentage based on the number of children in the case. The standard guideline percentages are: 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 30% (3), 35% (4), 40% (5), and not less than the amount for 5 children (6+).

A quick example: if your net monthly resources are $5,000 and you’re paying support for two children, the guideline amount is typically 25%, or $1,250/month (before considering things like health insurance provisions).

One important detail people miss: Texas guideline support is primarily based on the paying parent’s net resources, not a combined-income model. Judges can deviate, but the guideline number is the usual starting point.

Texas uses the term “resources,” and it’s broader than just your paycheck. The court looks at income from many sources, then applies only the deductions Texas law allows to reach “net resources.”

Texas law is intentionally broad here, so if income is available to you, assume it may be part of the calculation unless a specific exclusion applies.

Some items generally aren’t included in net resources (for example, certain means-tested public benefits). The exclusions can be specific, so if a big part of your income falls into a gray area, it’s worth getting it reviewed using the statute’s definition rather than guessing.

If you’re self-employed, the process can get more technical because the court may look closely at business income, business expenses, and consistency over time.

Income above the cap doesn’t automatically disappear from the conversation. In higher-income cases, support above the guideline amount can come up when there are proven needs that justify it, but it’s not a percentage of everything you make forever.

Most cases track the guidelines, but Texas courts can order a different amount if the guideline number would be unjust or inappropriate and the evidence supports a deviation.

A few situations where deviations commonly come up include:

The key idea is that deviations aren’t automatic. If you want a court to go above or below guidelines, you generally need facts, documentation, and a clear explanation of why the guideline number doesn’t fit the situation.

In Texas, child support is often more than a single monthly amount. Orders commonly address medical support (health insurance) and the handling of uninsured expenses.

Texas also defines when insurance is available at a reasonable cost. For medical support, “reasonable cost” is generally tied to 9% of the obligor’s annual resources (and there’s a separate standard for dental).

On top of premiums, many orders specify how to split costs for copays, prescriptions, orthodontics, therapy, and other uninsured expenses. Some families also negotiate or litigate additional categories (such as extracurriculars or certain educational costs), depending on the child’s needs and the parents’ finances.

Texas takes enforcement seriously. If support isn’t paid, the state can use tools like wage withholding and other enforcement mechanisms through the child support system.

In more serious situations, unpaid support can also become a criminal issue. Under Texas law, criminal nonsupport involves intentionally or knowingly failing to provide support for a child, and it’s classified as a state jail felony (with an affirmative defense if you truly couldn’t provide support).

Child support looks simple on paper, but the outcome can change fast when you add real-world details like self-employment income, irregular bonuses, multiple children across households, or disputes about what should (and shouldn’t) count as income.

Marble can help you understand how Texas guidelines apply to your situation, review support calculations for accuracy, and support you through modifications or enforcement steps when circumstances change. And if you’re walking into a negotiation, you’ll usually feel more in control when you understand what the guideline number is likely to be and why.