What is the new child support law in Texas?
Asked by: Carrie Koelpin | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (42 votes)
Recent Texas child support law changes (Senate Bill 869, effective Sept 2023) focus on collection and enforcement, making child support liens indefinite, preventing reduction of arrearages, and allowing paternity suits when fathers are missing, plus incorporating Social Security disability lump sums into income calculations, while newer laws also penalize custodial interference with visitation.
What is the new law for child support in Texas 2025?
Texas child support law saw a major update in 2025, primarily increasing the net income cap used for calculations from $9,200 to $11,700 monthly, effective September 1, 2025, reflecting rising costs and applying to new or modified orders, while also introducing stricter penalties for custody interference. This cap change raises the maximum guideline support amounts and allows for easier modification of existing orders if the new calculation shows a significant difference (at least 20% or $100).
What is the new child support limit in Texas?
Beginning September 1, 2025, the cap on monthly net resources used to calculate guideline child support under Texas Family Code § 154.125 will rise from $9,200 to $11,700. This change accounts for inflation and the increasing costs of raising children in Texas, including housing, childcare, education, and healthcare.
How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?
If you make $1,000 a week, your child support could range roughly from $150 to $250+ per week for one child, but it heavily depends on your state's laws, combined parental income, custody, and other factors like insurance costs, with most states using income shares models. For instance, in some states, it might be around $150-$170 (like Indiana or Georgia estimates) for one child, while others might see higher amounts.
What is the dead beat dad law in Texas?
In Texas, "deadbeat dad" laws empower the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to enforce child support through severe penalties like license suspension (driver's, professional), passport denial, property liens, wage garnishment, and even jail time for criminal non-support (a felony under Texas Penal Code Sec. 25.05); these measures aim to collect past-due support (arrearages) by targeting financial assets and privileges.
New Texas Child Support Laws | What Parents Need to Know in 2025
How far behind in child support before you go to jail in Texas?
In Texas, the non-payment of child support can transition from a civil issue to a significant legal problem, potentially resulting in a state jail felony charge. This generally occurs when the outstanding amount is equivalent to or exceeds a full year's worth of payments.
What looks bad in a custody battle?
In a custody battle, bad behavior that looks bad to a judge includes parental alienation (badmouthing the other parent to kids), dishonesty, interfering with parenting time, emotional outbursts, making threats, using the child as a messenger, and failing to prioritize the child's needs over conflict, as courts focus on the child's best interests, not parental disputes. Actions like substance abuse, criminal issues, or creating instability for the child also severely harm your case.
What is the biggest mistake in custody battle?
The biggest mistake in a custody battle is losing sight of the child's best interests by letting anger, revenge, or adult conflicts drive decisions, which courts view negatively, but other major errors include badmouthing the other parent, failing to co-parent, poor communication, violating court orders, and excessive social media use, all damaging your case and your child's well-being.
What is the average child support in Texas?
There's no single "average" child support amount in Texas; it's calculated as a percentage of the non-custodial parent's net monthly income, based on the number of children: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. This applies to the first $11,700 of net monthly income, with courts determining "net" by deducting taxes, union dues, and other specific costs from gross income.
Can my ex go after my new wife's income?
The court will rarely consider the new spouse's income unless: Both biological parents earn too little money to provide for the child's basic needs. A parent voluntarily or intentionally quits work or reduces their income. A parent remains underemployed or unemployed and relies on the new spouse's income.
What is the highest child support you can pay?
Yes, child support often has caps, but they vary by state and type, with some states setting high income thresholds where guidelines stop and courts decide based on the child's needs, while federal law caps wage garnishments at 50-60% of disposable income, ensuring a minimum living standard.
Does child support increase if salary increases in Texas?
Yes. It is possible that the amount of child support you are ordered to pay could go up. Modifications are based on the noncustodial parent's current income.
Can child support take 50 percent of a paycheck in Texas?
Typically, up to 50% of your disposable earnings can be taken if you are supporting another spouse or child. If you are not supporting another family, this percentage can increase to 60%. In certain cases, if payments are more than 12 weeks overdue, an additional 5% may be garnished.
Is Texas child support going up?
Beginning September 1, 2025, the cap will increase to $11,700. This change will apply to: All new cases filed on or after September 1, 2025. Any child support case still pending as of September 1, 2025.
Can child support be dropped in Texas?
There are specific circumstances under which child support can be canceled, such as if the child dies, becomes self-supporting (gets married or enlists in the military), or graduates high school and turns 18, whichever comes later.
What age in Texas can a kid decide which parent to live with?
In Texas, a child cannot choose which parent to live with until age 18. However, under Texas Family Code § 153.009 , children age 12 or older have the right to meet privately with a judge to express their custody preferences. The judge must consider the child's wishes but is not required to follow them.
How to pay the least amount of child support?
Legal Strategies to Reduce or Modify Child Support
- File for a Modification. Life changes can justify a new support order. ...
- Increase Your Parenting Time. ...
- Highlight Your Ex's Income Growth. ...
- Challenge Unnecessary Expenses. ...
- Prove Your Ex Can Work. ...
- Maximize Tax Deductions. ...
- Never Fall Behind on Payments.
Do dads get 50/50 custody in Texas?
The Texas Family Code does not provide for a 50/50 possession schedule. Often, without agreement, the Court will look to a social study, home study, or psychological evaluation of the parties before it would even consider an order granting a 50/50 split.
How does child support work if the mother has no job?
If a mother has no job, child support still applies, with courts often "imputing" income based on her skills or minimum wage to ensure fair support, or ordering low minimum payments if truly destitute, while looking favorably on good-faith job-seeking efforts; both parents are responsible, so a judge might also assess the father for support, considering the custodial parent's lack of income as a factor.
What looks bad in family court?
The Single Biggest Mistake: Parental Alienation. Speaking badly about your child's other parent is the worst thing you can do in a custody battle. This behavior is called parental alienation, and courts take it very seriously.
What is the 9 minute rule in parenting?
The "9-Minute Rule" or "9-Minute Theory" in parenting suggests dedicating focused, distraction-free time during three key 3-minute windows daily: right after waking, right after school/daycare, and right before bed, to build strong parent-child bonds, reduce parental guilt, and foster a child's sense of security and connection, though experts emphasize quality presence and adapting the timing to fit family schedules, as more than 9 minutes is always beneficial.
What not to say to a judge in court?
You should not say anything sarcastic, interrupt the judge, lie, use slang, make personal attacks on others, guarantee outcomes, or speak about things not relevant to the case; instead, remain respectful, address the judge as "Your Honor," answer only the question asked, and be direct and truthful to maintain credibility.
What hurts a child custody case?
Hurting a child custody case involves prioritizing conflict over the child's well-being, such as badmouthing the other parent, using the child as a messenger, failing to cooperate, violating court orders, hiding involvement in the child's life, making unilateral changes, or discussing the case on social media, all of which demonstrate poor co-parenting and emotional immaturity. Courts focus on the child's best interests, so actions that harm the child's relationship with both parents or disrupt stability are severely detrimental.
How to win a judge over in court?
“In a courtroom, whether with the judge, other lawyers or jury, the most important thing you have is your credibility. This includes your voice inflection and facial expressions, your body language, your demeanor in the examination of a witness and your entire self-presentation.
What is the best evidence for child custody?
The best evidence for a child custody case proves your active involvement, provides a stable environment, and shows the child's best interests are prioritized, using official records (school, medical, police), detailed parenting logs, documented communication, photos/videos, and credible witness testimony (teachers, coaches) to support your consistent care, financial stability, and a secure home life, while documenting any issues with the other parent.