child support obligations are determined based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children they are supporting. The Texas Family Code provides guidelines for calculating child support, which includes a percentage of the paying parent’s income depending on the number of children.
As of my last update, here are the basic monthly child support obligations in Texas based on the paying parent’s net income:
Percentage of Income for Child Support:
- 20% of the non-custodial parent’s net income for one child
- 25% of the non-custodial parent’s net income for two children
- 30% of the non-custodial parent’s net income for three children
- 35% of the non-custodial parent’s net income for four children
- 40% of the non-custodial parent’s net income for five children
- Not less than 40% for six or more children
Net Income Definition:
Net income is calculated as the paying parent’s gross income minus certain deductions, such as federal income tax, Social Security tax, union dues, health insurance premiums, and certain other allowable deductions.
Cap on Income:
As of my last update, there’s a cap on the amount of net income that can be used to calculate child support. The cap was $9,200 of the paying parent’s monthly net income (as of September 2019). This cap is adjusted periodically based on changes in the Texas median income.
Additional Expenses:
In addition to basic child support, the paying parent may be required to contribute to certain additional expenses, such as medical expenses not covered by insurance, child care costs, and educational expenses.
Final words
It’s important to note that these guidelines provide a starting point for determining child support obligations. The court may deviate from these guidelines based on specific circumstances, such as the child’s needs, the paying parent’s ability to pay, or other relevant factors.
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