Texas Child Support Lawyers

Whether you need support established, can't collect what's owed, or are being asked to pay more than you can afford, child support is too important to handle alone. The numbers in a Texas support order are driven by formulas — but what goes into those formulas, and whether the court deviates from them, is where cases are won and lost. An experienced Texas child support lawyer makes sure the order is based on accurate income and the right factors, on whichever side of the equation you stand.

The Texas Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a child support lawyer from our network of attorneys who handles cases in your county. The referral is free, and help is available statewide — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

Texas applies guideline percentages to the paying parent's monthly "net resources." Net resources means income from nearly every source — wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment, rental income, retirement and unemployment benefits — minus federal taxes, Social Security, union dues, and the cost of the child's health insurance. The guidelines under Chapter 154 of the Texas Family Code are:

The percentages are reduced somewhat when the paying parent also supports children in other households. The guidelines apply to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources — a cap that took effect September 1, 2025. For higher earners, support above the cap requires proof of the child's actual needs. On top of monthly support, Texas courts must also order medical support and dental support: typically the paying parent carries the child's health and dental insurance (or reimburses its cost) and the order divides uninsured expenses like copays and orthodontics.

If There's a Formula, Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Because the fight is rarely about the percentage — it's about the inputs and the exceptions. The formula is only as fair as the income number behind it. A child support lawyer earns their fee by:

• Proving real income — using discovery, tax returns, bank records, and business documents when the other parent is self-employed, paid in cash, or hiding income
• Fighting "intentional underemployment" claims — courts can base support on earning potential when a parent deliberately works below their ability; lawyers both raise and defend against this
• Arguing deviation factors — a child's special needs, extraordinary medical or school costs, travel expenses for visitation, or other factors that justify support above or below guidelines
• Getting the credits right — health insurance, children in other households, and other adjustments that change the bottom line
• Protecting the rest of your case — support is usually tied to a custody and visitation order; the lawyer makes sure one piece isn't traded away for another

What If the Other Parent Won't Pay?

Texas takes unpaid child support seriously, and the enforcement tools are powerful. A parent who falls behind can face:

• Automatic wage withholding from their paycheck
• Interception of tax refunds and lottery winnings
• Suspension of driver's, professional, and hunting/fishing licenses
• Liens on bank accounts, property, and insurance settlements
• Passport denial and credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court — fines and up to six months in jail

Arrears also accrue interest and never simply disappear — they survive until paid, even after the child turns 18. If you are owed back support, a lawyer can file an enforcement action, get a judgment for the arrears, and put these tools to work. If you are the one behind, a lawyer can often negotiate a realistic payment plan and head off jail time — it is far better to address arrears through the court than to wait for an enforcement docket.

The Attorney General Handles Child Support — Isn't That Enough?

The OAG represents the State of Texas, not you. The Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division establishes paternity, sets support, and enforces orders in huge volume — and it does that work at no charge. But the OAG cannot give you legal advice, won't litigate your custody or visitation issues, and won't dig into the other parent's finances the way private counsel can. OAG court dates often move quickly through crowded dockets, and parents who show up without their own lawyer can end up with orders based on incomplete income information.

Having your own child support lawyer at an OAG hearing means someone is checking the math, presenting your evidence, and protecting the parts of the case the State doesn't handle.

Can a Child Support Order Be Changed?

Yes — Texas allows modification in two situations. Under Chapter 156 of the Family Code, a court can modify support when:

• Circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the order — job loss, a big raise, a new disability, changes in the child's needs; or
• Three years have passed since the order and the guideline amount would differ by 20% or $100 per month or more.

Two things catch parents off guard. First, nothing changes automatically — if you lose your job, your existing order keeps running and arrears keep accruing until a court modifies it. Second, modification is generally not retroactive beyond the date you file. The single most expensive mistake in Texas child support is waiting months to file after your income drops. A lawyer can get the modification on file fast and ask for temporary orders while the case is pending.

When Does Child Support End in Texas?

Generally at age 18 or high school graduation, whichever comes later. Support can end earlier if the child marries or is legally emancipated, and it can continue indefinitely for an adult child with a disability that requires substantial care and supervision. Remember: current support ending does not erase arrears — back support remains collectible.

What Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?

Texas child support lawyers typically charge a retainer plus an hourly rate, and many matters — an agreed modification, a straightforward enforcement — are resolved efficiently. Many attorneys in our network offer payment plans, and the consultation we arrange lets you discuss fees up front before you commit. Measure the cost against the stakes: a support order runs for years, so even a modest monthly correction adds up to tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the order.

Related Help

• Texas family law lawyers — the full picture: divorce, custody, support, and more
• Child custody attorneys — conservatorship and decision-making rights
• Child visitation lawyers — possession schedules and denied visitation
• Fathers' rights attorneys — paternity and a dad's support obligations and rights
• Divorce lawyers — when support is set as part of a divorce
• All practice areas

Texas Child Support: Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Texas?

Texas uses guideline percentages applied to the paying parent's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. Net resources means income from nearly all sources minus taxes, Social Security, union dues, and the child's health insurance cost. The guidelines apply to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources — a cap that took effect September 1, 2025.

What income counts toward child support in Texas?

Nearly everything: wages, salary, overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, retirement and unemployment benefits, and more. Courts can also assign income to a parent who is intentionally unemployed or underemployed to dodge support. Disputes over what a self-employed or cash-paid parent really earns are one of the main reasons people hire a child support lawyer.

Can child support be more or less than the Texas guidelines?

Yes. The guidelines are presumed to be in the child's best interest, but a court can deviate based on factors such as the child's special needs, extraordinary educational or medical expenses, travel costs for visitation, and each parent's resources. Above the monthly net-resources cap, additional support requires proving the child's actual needs.

What happens if I don't pay child support in Texas?

Enforcement can be severe: wage withholding, interception of tax refunds and lottery winnings, suspension of driver's, professional, and hunting licenses, liens on property and bank accounts, passport denial, contempt of court with fines, and up to six months in jail. Unpaid support also accrues interest. If you have fallen behind, a lawyer can often negotiate a payment plan and ask the court to address the arrears before enforcement escalates.

How do I change a child support order in Texas?

You must ask the court to modify the order. Texas allows modification when circumstances have materially and substantially changed, or when three years have passed since the order and the guideline amount would change by 20% or $100 or more per month. Job loss, a significant raise, or changes in the child's needs are common grounds. The change is not automatic and is not retroactive to before you file, so act quickly.

Does child support change if I lose my job?

Not automatically. Your existing order stays in force, and arrears pile up until a court changes it. If you lose your job or take a major pay cut, file for modification right away, because the court can generally only adjust support back to the filing date, not earlier. A lawyer can get the motion filed quickly and ask for temporary relief.

When does child support end in Texas?

Generally when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever happens later. Support can end earlier if the child marries or is emancipated, and it can continue indefinitely for a child with a disability that requires substantial care. Any unpaid arrears remain owed even after current support ends.

What is medical and dental support in Texas?

In addition to monthly child support, Texas courts must order medical support and dental support. Usually the paying parent provides health and dental insurance for the child or reimburses the other parent's cost of coverage, and the order splits uninsured expenses such as copays and braces between the parents.

The Attorney General already handles my case. Do I still need my own lawyer?

Often, yes. The Office of the Attorney General Child Support Division establishes and enforces support, but it represents the State of Texas, not you. OAG dockets move fast and the agency cannot give you legal advice or fight for your individual priorities, like the right income findings, deviation factors, or related custody issues. Your own lawyer protects your side of the case.

Can the other parent withhold visitation if I'm behind on support?

No. In Texas, child support and visitation are separate obligations. A parent cannot legally deny court-ordered visitation because support is unpaid, and a parent cannot stop paying support because visitation is denied. Each violation has its own remedy through the court, and a lawyer can pursue the right one for your situation.

How do I find a good child support lawyer near me in Texas?

Call or text the Texas Lawyer Referral Service at the number for your area. As a lawyer referral service certified by the State Bar of Texas, we connect you with an experienced child support lawyer in our network who handles cases in your county. The referral is free and available statewide, 24/7.

Sources

• Texas Family Code, Chapter 154 — Child Support
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 156 — Modification
• Texas Family Code, Chapter 157 — Enforcement
• Texas Attorney General — Child Support Division
• Texas Attorney General — How Child Support Is Determined
• Texas State Law Library — Child Custody and Support Guide
• TexasLawHelp.org — Child Support in Texas