If you’re facing child support obligations in Texas, understanding the state’s child support cap is crucial for planning your financial future. Effective September 1, 2025, Texas increased its child support cap from $9,200 to $11,700 in monthly net resources—a significant change that affects how courts calculate support under state guidelines while providing predictability for parents and ensuring children receive adequate support.
Because even small changes to the cap can significantly affect long-term obligations, working with an experienced Family Lawyer in Texas can help you understand how the new limits apply to your specific situation.
What Is the Child Support Cap in Texas?
The child support cap represents the maximum monthly net resources Texas courts consider when applying standard guideline percentages. Under Texas Family Code §154.125, this cap ensures consistent statewide calculations.
Net resources include gross income minus specific deductions such as federal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums paid for the child. The state periodically adjusts this cap to reflect economic conditions.
The cap serves as a framework for guideline calculations, not an absolute limit. Courts retain discretion to order support amounts above guidelines when circumstances warrant it, such as extraordinary medical needs or significantly high parental income.
2025 Cap Increase: What Changed?
Texas increased the child support cap by $2,500 monthly from $9,200 to $11,700 in net resources effective September 1, 2025. This represents the most significant adjustment in recent years, reflecting inflation and rising child-rearing costs.
The state reviews the cap every six years to ensure guidelines remain relevant to current economic conditions. For new cases filed after September 1, 2025, courts apply the higher cap when calculating guideline amounts. However, existing child support orders don’t change automatically—parents must file a motion for modification.
This change particularly impacts higher-income parents who were previously subject to the $9,200 cap, potentially increasing their child support obligations based on updated guidelines.
Maximum Monthly Child Support Amounts
Under the 2025 guidelines, Texas child support calculations use specific percentages of net resources up to the $11,700 cap. Here’s how the maximum amounts break down:
| Number of Children | Percentage of Net Resources | Maximum Monthly Amount (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | $2,340 |
| 2 children | 25% | $2,925 |
| 3 children | 30% | $3,510 |
| 4 children | 35% | $4,095 |
| 5+ children | 40% | $4,680 |
These percentages remain unchanged from previous years—only the income cap increased. For parents earning less than $11,700 monthly in net resources, their actual net income determines the calculation base. The cap only applies when net resources exceed $11,700 monthly.
For example, if you have two children and monthly net resources of $8,000, your guideline child support would be $2,000 (25% × $8,000), not the maximum $2,925.
How Child Support Is Calculated
Net resources form the foundation of Texas child support calculations. This includes most forms of income such as salary, wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, interest, dividends, and certain government benefits.
Allowable deductions include:
- Federal income taxes based on appropriate filing status
- Social Security and Medicare taxes
- Union dues
- Health insurance premiums paid for the child receiving support
- Existing child support orders for other children
Here’s a practical example:
If your gross monthly income is $15,000 with $2,800 in federal taxes, $1,148 in Social Security/Medicare taxes, and $300 in health insurance for the child, your net resources would be $10,752. For one child, your guideline support would be 20% of $10,752, or approximately $2,150 monthly.
When Courts Can Order More than the Cap
Texas Family Code §154.126 allows courts to order child support above guideline amounts when circumstances justify higher payments, ensuring children’s needs receive priority even when parents have substantial incomes.
Courts commonly exceed guidelines when children have extraordinary medical or educational needs, the paying parent has significantly high income, or special circumstances exist such as costs for treating disabilities. Judges maintain broad discretion and often consider expert testimony about actual expenses and needs.
Parents requesting above-guideline support must present compelling evidence that higher amounts serve the child’s best interests, including documentation of private school tuition, specialized therapy costs, or other exceptional expenses.
Modifying an Existing Child Support Order
The 2025 cap increase doesn’t automatically modify existing orders—you must take legal action to benefit from the new guidelines. Texas law requires specific procedures and criteria for successful modifications.
You may seek modification when:
- Three years have passed since the current order was established or last modified, OR
- Material and substantial changes have occurred in circumstances, OR
- The guideline amount differs by at least 20% or $100 from the current order
The new cap creates modification opportunities for parents whose orders were calculated under the previous $9,200 limit. Both parents can request modifications—the paying parent might seek reduction based on decreased income, while the receiving parent might seek increase based on higher guidelines.
The modification process involves court hearings where both parents can present evidence. Successful modifications require strategic preparation and understanding of how courts evaluate these requests.
Experienced family law attorneys regularly handle modification cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and can provide guidance on these complex procedures.
Protect Your Rights with Experienced Legal Representation
Understanding Texas child support caps and calculations helps you prepare for your obligations, but navigating modifications and complex calculations requires experienced legal guidance. The 2025 cap increase creates new opportunities for some parents while potentially increasing obligations for others.
Experienced family law representation can help you understand your options and protect your rights when establishing initial support, seeking modification based on the new cap, or facing requests for above-guideline amounts.
For assistance with your child support matter, contact a qualified family law attorney to discuss your specific situation and explore your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum child support payment in Texas?
Under the 2025 guidelines, the maximum guideline amount is $4,680 monthly for parents with five or more children and net resources at the $11,700 cap. However, courts can order higher amounts based on specific circumstances.
Does the cap apply to all parents?
The cap applies to guideline calculations for all Texas child support cases, but parents earning less than $11,700 monthly in net resources have support calculated on their actual income. Parents with income above the cap may still owe more if courts find guideline amounts inadequate.
Can the court order support above the cap?
Yes, courts can order support above guideline amounts when circumstances justify higher payments. This commonly occurs in cases involving high parental income, special needs children, or extraordinary expenses that standard guidelines don’t address.
Does the 2025 cap apply automatically to existing orders?
No, existing orders remain unchanged until modified through proper legal procedures. Parents must file modification petitions to benefit from the new guidelines, meeting specific legal criteria for changes to existing support arrangements.
How often does Texas adjust the child support cap?
Texas reviews the child support cap every four years and adjusts it based on economic factors including inflation and cost of living changes. The 2025 increase represents the most recent adjustment in this regular review cycle.