Child support is a legal obligation that is placed on a non-custodial parent to financially support their child or children. In the state of Texas, the determination of child support is based on a number of factors, including the income of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children.

The first step in determining child support in Texas is to calculate the net income of both parents. Net income is defined as the total income earned by a parent, minus certain deductions such as taxes, Social Security, and health insurance. The income of both parents is then added together to determine the combined net income.

The next step is to determine the number of children that will be receiving support. Texas uses a guideline formula that takes into account the combined net income of both parents, as well as the number of children and the amount of time each parent spends with the children.

The amount of time each parent spends with the children is known as the “parenting time” or “possession” schedule. The more time a parent spends with the children, the less child support they will be required to pay. The Texas Family Code specifies that the standard possession schedule is that the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 30% of the year.

Once the combined net income and the number of children have been determined, the Texas Child Support Guidelines can be used to calculate the basic child support obligation. The guidelines provide a table that lists the basic child support obligation for different levels of combined net income and different numbers of children.

It’s worth noting that these are just the basic guidelines and that there are certain situations where the court may deviate from the guidelines, such as when one parent has a high income, or when the child has special needs. The court may also take into account other factors such as the cost of health insurance and daycare, as well as any other expenses that are necessary for the child’s welfare.

In conclusion, child support in Texas is determined based on the combined net income of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children. The Texas Child Support Guidelines provide a way to calculate the basic child support obligation, but the court may also take into account other factors in order to determine the appropriate amount of child support. It’s important to note that child support is calculated in such a way that the child’s needs are met and that the child support is fair to both parents.