How Guidelines Work: Income-Shares vs. Percentage
Quick answer
Texas sets guideline child support as a percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources — 20% for one child up to 40% for five or more — applied to the first $11,700 of net resources (Family Code § 154.125).
Guideline support isn't guesswork — it runs on a formula and a defined set of inputs.
Two models
- Income-shares: allocates the cost proportionally based on both parents' incomes.
- Percentage-of-income: a fixed percentage of the paying parent's income — the model Texas uses: 20% of net resources for one child, rising to 40% for five or more, applied to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources (Texas Family Code § 154.125).
What drives the number
The key inputs are gross income, overnight custody arrangements, insurance premiums, childcare expenses, and available tax credits.
Deviations and proof
Any departure from the standard guideline requires written findings justifying it. Run the official calculator and attach the printouts to your filing so the number is accurate and enforceable.
Since 1997, the Corpus Christi child support lawyer team at Sinkin Law Firm has recovered unpaid support for parents statewide.
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