Child Support Enforcement in Texas: When families separate, parents in Texas face a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to child support. While the system is designed to provide financial stability for children, navigating its legal intricacies and powerful enforcement mechanisms can be a source of significant stress. This comprehensive guide is designed to empower you with a clear understanding of Texas child support enforcement, helping you resolve common issues and gain the peace of mind you need to secure a stable future for your family.

This article will break down Texas’s specific child support guidelines, detail the powerful enforcement tools at your disposal, and offer practical, actionable advice. By understanding the system, you can reduce stress and gain a sense of control over your family’s future.

Understanding the Texas Child Support System

In Texas, child support is a legal obligation for both parents. The system is managed by the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The OAG’s mission is to ensure that children receive the financial and medical support they are entitled to.

Texas uses a specific percentage of income model to determine child support, as outlined in the Texas Family Code. This is a crucial distinction from the “income shares” models used in many other states. The calculation is based on the paying parent’s (obligor’s) net monthly income and the number of children they are supporting.

Key and useful facts about the Texas calculation:

• Gross vs. Net Income: The court first determines the paying parent’s gross income from all sources (salaries, wages, bonuses, etc.). From this, certain deductions are allowed to arrive at the net resources used for the calculation. These deductions include federal income tax, Social Security taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the child.
• The Child Support “Cap”: Texas applies its standard percentages to a specific amount of net resources. A recent and significant change to Texas law (effective September 1, 2025) is that this cap has increased from $9,200 to $11,700 in monthly net resources. This means courts can now base child support calculations on a higher portion of a parent’s income, leading to higher guideline support amounts for many families.
• Statutory Percentages: The court applies a fixed percentage of the paying parent’s net resources (up to the cap) based on the number of children before the court.
  • 1 Child: 20%
  • 2 Children: 25%
  • 3 Children: 30%
  • 4 Children: 35%
  • 5 or more Children: 40%
• Other Children: If the paying parent has other children they are legally obligated to support, the percentages in the guidelines are adjusted downward.
• High-Income Earners: For parents whose net monthly resources exceed the new $11,700 cap, the court can order additional support above the guideline amount to meet the child’s demonstrated needs. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.
• Imputed Income: If a parent is intentionally unemployed or underemployed to avoid paying child support, the court can impute income to them based on their earning potential.

The Texas Attorney General’s office provides an online child support calculator to help you estimate a payment. However, a final support order is determined by a judge.

Common Child Support Issues and Their Solutions

Child support issues can cause a lot of stress. Here’s how you can tackle some of the most frequent problems head-on.

Issue #1: What if payments are late or missed?

This is the most common and frustrating problem for a parent who relies on child support. In Texas, a parent who is behind on payments is delinquent, and the OAG has a powerful set of tools to collect past-due support, known as arrears. The OAG collects more child support than any other state in the U.S., a testament to their robust enforcement program.

Key Enforcement Actions in Texas:

• Income Withholding Order (IWO): This is the most effective and widely used tool. An IWO is sent to the non-paying parent’s employer, requiring them to automatically deduct the child support amount from their paycheck and send it to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU).
• License Suspension: If a parent falls behind on payments, the state can suspend their driver’s license, as well as professional, occupational, hunting, or fishing licenses.
• Tax Refund Intercept: The OAG can intercept both state and federal income tax refunds and lottery winnings to pay off child support arrears.
• Bank Account Levy: The OAG has the authority to seize funds directly from a non-paying parent’s bank accounts to satisfy the debt.
• Passport Denial: For parents who owe a significant amount in arrears (currently over $2,500), the U.S. Department of State will deny the issuance or renewal of a passport.
• Contempt of Court: A judge can hold a non-paying parent in Contempt of Court for willfully failing to pay. This can result in a judge ordering a strict payment plan, fines, or, in severe cases, a jail sentence.
• Liens on Property: Liens can be placed on properties, bank accounts, retirement plans, and other assets.

Your Action Plan: If you are not receiving payments, contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division immediately at 1-800-252-8014. They will monitor your account and initiate the appropriate enforcement actions automatically once the case meets the criteria.

Issue #2: My financial situation has changed. Can I adjust the support order?

Life changes—a job loss, a new higher-paying job, a disability, or other major events—can make the original support order unfair or unmanageable.

The Texas Solution: You can file a Petition to Modify Child Support to have your order reviewed. The court will only modify the order if there has been a “material and substantial change in circumstances.”

What Counts as a “Material and Substantial Change”?

• The New Child Support Cap: A critical and timely fact for your readers is that the increase in the Texas child support cap from $9,200 to $11,700 is considered a material and substantial change in circumstances under Texas law. This gives either parent the legal right to file a motion to modify their existing order.
• Three-Year Review: A change in the support amount is also possible if the existing order is at least three years old and the new guideline amount would differ by at least 20% or $100.
• Other Changes: A significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income, a change in the child’s living arrangements, or a change in the costs of childcare or health insurance are also common reasons for a modification.
• Incarceration: Texas law now has provisions that allow for the adjustment of support obligations for a parent who is incarcerated for at least 90 days.

Your Action Plan: Do not simply stop or reduce your payments without an official modification. This will lead to arrears and can result in severe penalties. File a petition with the court that issued the original order. You will need to provide detailed documentation of your income and expenses to support your request. A modification is the only way to legally change your obligation.

Issue #3: The other parent lives out of state.

While this can complicate enforcement, it does not make it impossible.

The Texas Solution: Texas works with other states through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This federal law ensures that a child support order issued in Texas is legally enforceable in any other state. The OAG will coordinate with the appropriate agency in the other state to enforce the order on your behalf.

Your Action Plan: The process is similar to a local enforcement case. Contact the Office of the Attorney General and provide them with all the information you have about the other parent’s new location and employer.

Essential Tools and Resources for a Smoother Process

The Texas OAG and the courts have developed a number of resources to help parents manage their cases with more confidence.

• OAG’s Online Services: The OAG’s website provides a comprehensive online portal for parents. You can view payment history, make payments, and access case information 24/7.
• Proactive Communication: The best way to resolve issues is to get ahead of them. If you foresee a problem, whether you are the paying or receiving parent, contact the OAG’s Child Support Division immediately. They can often provide guidance and help you navigate the system before an issue escalates.
• Legal Counsel: While the OAG provides excellent services, they represent the State of Texas, not you personally. For complex or highly contested cases, consulting with a qualified Texas family law attorney can provide personalized legal advice and representation.

Beyond the Legalities: Your Child’s Well-being

It is easy to get caught up in the financial and legal details of child support, but it’s crucial to remember the most important focus: your child’s emotional and financial well-being.

• Separate Finances from Parenting: Do your best to keep financial disagreements and child support issues separate from your co-parenting relationship. Your child’s emotional stability depends on your ability to work together, even if it’s challenging.
• Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all payments, communications, and changes in circumstances. This will not only prepare you for any legal proceedings but also give you a sense of control over your situation.
• Stay Informed: The more you know about Texas’s child support laws and procedures, the more empowered you will feel.

Conclusion: A Path to Stability

Navigating child support enforcement in Texas is a structured and often automatic process designed to ensure children’s needs are met. While it can feel overwhelming at times, you are not alone. By understanding the system, using the available resources, and staying proactive, you can face this challenge with confidence and ensure a stable and secure future for your entire family. Remember, you have a right to the support your children are entitled to, and the tools to make it happen.