Texas Child Support Cap Increases on September 1, 2019

Every six years the cap for child support is reviewed and adjusted for inflation by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The last adjustment was made in 2013 and set the cap at $8,550.00 per month. This year’s adjustment reset the new net resources cap at $9,200.00. The cap refers to the net resources of the contributing parent.

Net resources for child support are calculated by looking at the gross pay of the contributing parent, deducting federal withholding based on the single, one exemption IRS tables, Social Security and Medicare, as well as dependent health insurance and any non-discretionary union dues (or mandatory retirement for employees not covered by social security).

Net resources for child support also includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, tips, interest, dividends, royalties, severance pay, retirement benefits, pensions, trust income, annuities, capital gains, social security, unemployment, disability, worker’s compensation and other income, such as net profits from a business, net rental income (without regard to depreciation and amortization), and more.

Child support is determined by using the applicable percentages (based on the number of children before the court) beginning at 20% for one child and increasing by 5% for each additional child, up to 40% for five or more children.

Regardless of the statutory cap for child support, if the receiving parent can establish that the proven needs of the child(ren) are in excess of the cap, additional support may be ordered.

A current opportunity exists for modifications of existing child support orders if the contributing parent makes in excess of the prior cap of $8,550 per month.

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Our attorneys have the legal experience and compassion to help with family law matters, including child support. Call us at 512-580-7596 for a confidential consultation.