Child Support in Texas: Fair Amounts, Real Enforcement, and Modifications That Reflect Your Life

Whether you're trying to get support you're owed or keep up with payments after a job change, the stakes are too high to navigate alone. We help parents across DFW understand exactly what Texas law requires — and hold everyone to it.

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How Texas Calculates Child Support — and Why the Formula Matters

Texas uses a guideline formula based on the paying parent's net monthly income and the number of children being supported. For one child, that's 20% of net income. Two children, 25%. The percentages increase from there, up to a statutory cap. The formula sounds simple, but the inputs — what counts as income, which deductions apply, how self-employment is handled — are where disputes happen and where errors cost families real money.

 

We make sure the numbers are calculated correctly from the start. If the other side is misrepresenting income or leaving out sources of earnings, we know how to find it and present it to the court.

What Counts as Income Under Texas Law

Texas courts look at more than a paycheck. Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, and even certain retirement distributions can all factor into the calculation. If income is being underreported or hidden, that directly affects what your child receives — and we don't let that slide.

Deductions That Affect the Final Number

The guideline formula applies to net income, not gross. That means certain deductions — federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the child — are factored in before the percentage is applied. Getting these deductions right matters whether you're paying or receiving support.

When the Court Departs from the Guidelines

Texas courts can order support above or below the guideline amount when circumstances warrant it. A child with significant medical needs, a parent with multiple custody arrangements, or an unusually high-income situation can all justify a deviation. We present the facts that support the right outcome for your family.

Support for Receiving Parents: Getting What Your Child Is Owed

If the other parent isn't paying, Texas has enforcement tools with real consequences — wage garnishment, license suspension, contempt of court, and even jail time for willful non-payment. We pursue enforcement aggressively because your child's financial stability shouldn't depend on whether the other parent feels like complying.

Support for Paying Parents: When the Amount No Longer Fits Your Reality

Life changes. A job loss, a medical crisis, a significant income reduction — any of these can make a current support order genuinely impossible to meet. Texas allows modifications when there's been a material and substantial change in circumstances. We help paying parents document those changes and bring a modification petition that the court will take seriously.

Enforcement When the Other Parent Won't Pay

A support order is a court order. When it's ignored, Texas law gives us tools to compel payment and recover what's past due. We pursue:

 

  • Wage withholding directly from the paying parent's employer
  • Seizure of tax refunds and financial accounts
  • Suspension of driver's, professional, and recreational licenses
  • Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in fines or jail time
  • Liens on real property and other assets

 

If you're owed back support — called arrears — we pursue that too. You shouldn't have to absorb losses because the other parent chose not to comply.

When Circumstances Change: Modifying a Support Order

Texas courts can modify a child support order when at least one of the following is true: three years have passed since the last order and the new guideline amount differs by 20% or $100 per month, or there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances for either parent or the child. A change in income, a change in custody, a new job, or a serious health development can all qualify. We evaluate your situation, advise you on whether you have grounds, and handle the petition from filing through hearing.

Why DFW Families Choose Wincorn & Associates

We serve parents across Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Arlington, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, and surrounding communities — from two offices that cover both Dallas and Tarrant counties. Our team includes bilingual staff fluent in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin, so language is never a barrier to understanding your rights.

 

  • 145+ Google reviews from families we've helped across DFW
  • Two office locations: Richardson/Dallas and Arlington
  • Bilingual and multilingual staff for Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin speakers
  • Plain-language guidance for parents with limited legal experience
  • Paralegal-supported model for efficient, cost-effective representation

 

We work with both receiving and paying parents. Whoever you are in this situation, you deserve accurate numbers and a process that's handled right.

We Serve Families Across the DFW Metroplex

Our family law team handles child support cases in courts throughout the DFW area. Whether you're in Dallas, Plano, or a suburb like Mesquite, Frisco, or McKinney, we know the local courts and the local judges. You can reach us by phone, walk into either office, or schedule a consultation online — whatever works for you.

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Common Questions About Child Support in Texas

  • How is child support calculated in Texas?
    Texas uses a percentage of the paying parent's net monthly income: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, and so on up to a statutory cap. Net income accounts for taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and certain other deductions. The formula applies to most cases, but courts can deviate when circumstances justify it.
  • Can child support be modified after it's set?
    Yes. Texas allows modification when three years have passed and the guideline amount has shifted by at least 20% or $100 per month, or when there's been a material and substantial change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, a change in custody, or a serious medical development. A DFW child support lawyer can evaluate whether your situation qualifies.
  • What happens if the other parent refuses to pay?
    Texas courts have strong enforcement tools, including wage withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension, property liens, and contempt of court proceedings. We pursue enforcement on behalf of receiving parents and work to recover both current and past-due amounts.
  • Does child support cover more than basic living expenses?
    Base child support covers general needs, but Texas courts can also order additional support for medical expenses, health insurance, childcare costs, and educational needs. These add-ons are separate from the guideline calculation and can be addressed during your case.
  • Do you help parents who speak languages other than English?
    Yes. Our staff includes bilingual and multilingual team members fluent in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. We work with families across DFW who prefer to communicate in a language other than English, and we make sure nothing is lost in translation when your family's finances are on the line.

Talk to a Child Support Lawyer — No Obligation

Whether you're trying to establish a fair support amount, collect what you're owed, or adjust an order that no longer reflects your situation, we're ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation at either our Richardson/Dallas or Arlington office.