The document provides information about how child support is determined and enforced in the state of Texas. It explains that the amount is based on the noncustodial parent's income and time spent with each parent, and can be calculated up to 20-40% of the first $8,550 per month of income. It also outlines that either parent can seek child support, even if they were never married, the payments continue until age 18 or graduation from high school, and that while an attorney is not required, it is recommended to modify an order.

1. W h a t Y o u N e e d
t o K n o w A b o u t
i n T e x a s

2. How is Child Support
Determined in a
Divorce?
The amount of child support
paid is determined by the
courts and based on the
amount of time the child or
children spend with both
parents.
The noncustodial parent (the
parent with whom the children
do not live) will be responsible
for making child support
payments.

3. Any parent with whom a
child or children live,
regardless of current or
previous marital status, can
apply for child support in
the state of Texas.
The Child Support Division
in the office of the Attorney
General can provide
assistance when needed.
C a n I A p p l y f o r
C h i l d S u p p o r t i f
I W a s N e v e r
M a r r i e d ?

4. Can I Apply for Child
Support if the Other
Parent Lives Out of
State?
Parents are responsible for
the financial support of their
children no matter where they
live.
When the noncustodial parent
lives out of state, they are still
responsible for making timely
and complete payments.
Courts in different states
work together to enforce
these orders.

5. In the state of Texas, child
support is calculated on a
percentage of the
noncustodial parent’s
income and financial
resources.
For 1 child, support is 20%
of net resources. This
amount increases by 5%
with each subsequent child,
reaching 40% for 5 or
more children.
H o w i s C h i l d
S u p p o r t
C a l c u l a t e d i n
T e x a s ?

6. In Texas, income up to
$8,550 monthly is
considered for child
support.
Anything above that is not
considered and will not
factor into the percentage
of child support the
noncustodial parent will be
required to pay.
I s T h e r e a C a p
f o r C a l c u l a t i n g
C h i l d S u p p o r t ?

7. The noncustodial parent
will be required to pay
child support until each of
his or her children has
turned 18 or graduated
high school – whichever
comes later.
H o w L o n g d o C h i l d
S u p p o r t P a y m e n t s
C o n t i n u e ?

8. Child support is enforced
by the state Attorney
General.
In the case of nonpayment,
the Office of the Attorney
General may take action
including garnishing wages,
intercepting tax returns,
filing liens against property
and assets, and suspension
of state-issued licenses.
In extreme cases, court
enforcement with jail time
may be sought.
H o w i s C h i l d
S u p p o r t
E n f o r c e d i n
T e x a s ?

9. Either party may file for a
modification of support if
financial situations change.
The method of calculation
does not change, but the
amount may as income
increases or decreases.
C a n C h i l d S u p p o r t
b e M o d i f i e d ?

10. You do not
need an attorney to modify
a child support order in Texas, but
you’ll want one.
In fact, any issue related to child
support is best assisted by an
attorney.
Child support may seem
straightforward but, as with all issues
in a divorce, is seldom as simple as it
seems.
Having an attorney on your side helps
protect the best interests of all
involved children and may even prove
useful in speeding up proceedings for
a swifter resolution.
D o I N e e d a n
A t t o r n e y t o
M o d i f y a C h i l d
S u p p o r t O r d e r
i n T e x a s ?

11. Sugar Land Family Law Attorney Yasmin
Kutty is Here to Help with Child Support
Orders and Modifications, and All Other
Divorce-Related Issues.
H T T P : / / W W W . K U T T Y L A W F I R M . C O M
Call Us at (713) 568-5401 to Schedule a Consultation and Learn More.