On September 1, 2025, the maximum amount of a parent’s monthly net resources that the Texas child support guidelines apply to rose from $9,200 to $11,700. The change matters most to parents with higher incomes, and it can be a reason to review an existing order.
What the cap is
Texas child support is usually a percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four and 40% for five, with at least 40% for six or more (Texas Family Code § 154.125). Those percentages apply only up to a maximum amount of net resources. The Texas Attorney General’s office adjusts that maximum for inflation every six years and publishes it in the Texas Register.
The August 29, 2025 Texas Register notice set the new maximum at $11,700 a month, effective September 1, 2025. The previous maximum was $9,200.
What it means in dollars
| Children | Guideline at the old $9,200 cap | Guideline at the new $11,700 cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,840 | $2,340 |
| 2 | $2,300 | $2,925 |
| 3 | $2,760 | $3,510 |
| 4 | $3,220 | $4,095 |
| 5 | $3,680 | $4,680 |
If the paying parent’s net resources are below $9,200 a month, the cap change does not affect the guideline amount. Above the cap, the court can still order more than the guideline amount if the child’s proven needs require it (§ 154.126).
Does my existing order change automatically?
No. A child support order stays the same until a court modifies it. Under § 156.401, a parent can ask to modify support if circumstances have materially and substantially changed, or if it has been three years since the order was signed or last modified and the current amount differs from the guideline amount by 20% or $100. Orders that were set at the old cap for a high-earning parent may now differ from the guidelines by enough to qualify.
What to do next
- Estimate the new guideline amount with our Texas child support calculator.
- Check when your order was signed or last modified.
- Read more about modifying child support and whether support increases when income goes up.
Talk with an attorney
If you have questions about child support, call the Law Offices of Jesus R. Lopez at (210) 224-5245 or send us a message to schedule a consultation, in English or Spanish.
This article is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results depend on the facts of each case.