Child support on $55,000 a year in Texas (3 children)
Texas guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Texas overview
If Parent A earns $55,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Texas's guideline amount is $1,159 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $1,980 paid by Parent B (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $1,159 (Parent B has no income, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
Texas · 3 children · Parent A $55000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$1,159 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 57.5% of combined income
- Parent B: 42.5%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $6,724 a month
- Basic obligation
- $1,159 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 57.5%
- Guideline amount
- $1,159 a month
See the worksheet for this example
Texas uses the percentage of income model under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061–154.133. Official calculator: csapps.oag.texas.gov. Child support agency: Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Child Support Division.
Estimate under Texas's child support guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official Texas sources on October 6, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B |
| 52 | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B |
| 104 | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B |
| 128 | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B |
| 182 | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,159 A→B | $1,260 B→A | $1,628 B→A | $1,980 B→A |
The Texas worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monthly Gross IncomePaying parent's gross income a month | $4,583.33 a month |
| 2a | Monthly OASDI TaxesSocial Security tax | $284.17 a month |
| 2b | Monthly Medicare TaxesMedicare tax | $66.46 a month |
| 2c | Monthly Federal Income TaxesFederal income tax (single, standard deduction) | $368.33 a month |
| 3 | Monthly IncomeIncome after taxes | $3,864.37 a month |
| 4a | Medical Support DeductionChildren's health insurance the paying parent provides | $0.00 a month |
| 5 | Net ResourcesNet resources | $3,864.37 a month |
| 6 | Child Support Guidelines Percentage (Tex. Fam. Code §154.125)Percentage applied | 30% |
| 7 | Projected Monthly Child Support ObligationGuideline amount | $1,159.31 a month |
Open the official 2026 Tax Charts (Office of the Attorney General) →
With child care and health insurance
Texas's guideline amount doesn't add child care costs.
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $1,159 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $1,159 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $1,159 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $1,309 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $1,459 a month A→B |
Childcare isn't added to the guideline amount. If the paying parent provides the children's health insurance, its cost is deducted from net resources; if the other parent provides it, the paying parent pays its actual cost, up to 9% of gross income, as additional support.
How Texas works it out
Texas sets child support as a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, rising to 40% for five or more children. The other parent's income doesn't change the guideline amount.
Net resources are gross income minus Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, state income tax, union dues and the cost of the children's health and dental insurance. The Office of the Attorney General publishes tax charts each year for this step.
The Texas guidelines don't adjust support for parenting time. Courts may deviate based on the time each parent has with the children.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $55,000 in Texas for 3 children?
If Parent A earns $55,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Texas's guideline amount is about $1,159 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $268 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $1,159 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the children live mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $1,159 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061–154.133
- Texas child support guidelines
- 2026 Tax Charts (Office of the Attorney General)
- Official Texas child support calculator
- Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Child Support Division
- Changing a Texas child support order
Guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official Texas sources on October 6, 2026. How we calculate →