Texas Caps Child Support at $2,925/Month for Two Kids No Matter How High Income Goes
We ran $5,000/month in net resources for one child through the calculator: 20% × $5,000 = $1,000/month. Straightforward. But run the same percentage against $15,000/month in resources for two children, and the guideline amount doesn’t reach $3,750 (25% of $15,000) — it caps at $2,925/month, because Texas limits the percentage calculation to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources, no matter how much higher the actual income is.
The published maximums, verified against the guideline
| Children | Guideline % | Maximum monthly support (at the $11,700 cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | $2,340 |
| 2 | 25% | $2,925 |
| 3 | 30% | $3,510 |
| 4 | 35% | $4,095 |
| 5+ | 40% | $4,680 |
These maximums are fixed points — a parent earning $11,700/month in net resources and one earning $50,000/month owe the identical guideline amount for the same number of children. Above the cap, a court CAN order additional support if the child’s proven needs exceed the guideline amount, but the automatic guideline calculation itself stops scaling.
The detail most people miss: only one parent’s income counts
Most states use an “income shares” model — both parents’ incomes are combined, a state schedule gives a total obligation for that combined income and child count, and each parent pays their proportional share. Texas doesn’t work that way: the guideline percentage applies ONLY to the paying (non-custodial) parent’s own net resources. The custodial parent’s income — even if it’s higher than the paying parent’s — doesn’t reduce the guideline amount at all. This is the same “look at one side’s income only” pattern as the marriage tax bracket calculation, just applied to a completely different formula and purpose.
Where this framework doesn’t apply
- You’re not in Texas. Most states use the income-shares model described above — a meaningfully different calculation than this one-parent guideline.
- Parenting time is close to equal. Texas courts can adjust the guideline amount significantly for possession schedules that depart from the traditional primary/visiting arrangement.
- There are extraordinary medical, educational, or special needs. Courts can and do order support above the guideline percentage for documented additional costs.
- Net resources fall below $1,000/month. A separate, lower percentage table (15%-35%) applies below that threshold — the standard percentages shown above don’t.
What to actually do
- Confirm your actual state’s child support model before assuming the Texas percentages apply — income-shares states calculate very differently.
- Calculate net monthly resources carefully — the legal definition includes more than take-home pay (bonuses, certain benefits, and self-employment income often count, with specific deductions allowed).
- Factor the guideline amount into the broader financial picture of the split — the ongoing cost of running two households instead of one is a separate, additional expense.
- If seeking spousal support alongside child support, run the separate Illinois-style alimony guideline as a reference point — the two are never the same calculation.
- Consult a family law attorney in your state before relying on any guideline estimate for actual planning or negotiation.
Open the Child Support Guideline Estimator → and run your own net resources and child count.