How Much Do Most Dads Pay In Child Support

Parents still have the responsibility to cover the financial needs of their children during the divorce process and after the court issues the divorce decree. Most parents don’t know how to care for their children’s needs during or after divorce. This is because parents often start living apart with only one parent providing the primary residence for the child while the other pays child support.

The amount the non-custodial parent has to pay is determined by factors such as the monthly income of the obligor (non-custodial parent).  Statutory guidelines that help you calculate child support take into account the number of children and the income of the obligor.

You can consult a child support lawyer to help you estimate the amount you need to pay.

Guidelines For Child Support Payments

Average Child Support Payment In Texas

How Much Do Most Dads Pay In Child SupportTexas courts expect both parents to provide financial support for their children during the divorce process and after the divorce is finalized. The parent awarded custody provides primary residence for the child while the other parent pays child support. The parent receiving the child support payments is the obligee while the paying parent is the obligor.

The obligor’s net monthly income and the number of children that need support will determine the amount the obligor has to pay. The following percentages show the amount an obligor has to pay based on the number of children:

  • The obligor pays 20% of their net monthly income for one child
  • The obligor pays 25% of their net monthly income for two children
  • The obligor pays 30% of their net monthly income for three children
  • The obligor pays 35% of their net monthly income for four children
  • The obligor pays 40% of their net monthly income for five or more children

That means that if you earn $3000 per month and you have one child, the minimum you may have to pay is $600.  Your obligation to pay child support ends when your child turns 18 years of age or graduates from high school.  If the oldest among multiple children turns 18, you will still have to pay child support for the remaining children but your obligation will decrease by 5%.

Limit For Net Income And Calculating Net Income

How Much Does A Father Have To Pay In Child Support In The US?

There is a limit of $7,500 net income when calculating child support. So, if you earn $8,000 net income and you need to pay child support for two children, you only need to pay $1,875 instead of $2,000. This is because you are calculating 25% of $7500 instead of 25% of $8,000.

You need to calculate your gross income and then deduct certain expenses before arriving at your net income. Your gross income includes income from revenue sources such as your wages, salary, interest, dividends, Social Security payments, and compensation for disability or unemployment.

Expenses you need to deduct from your gross income include union dues, Social Security taxes, federal income taxes, health insurance payments for your child, and state income taxes.  You can consult an experienced Texas divorce attorney if your income streams are complicated.

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The content on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely on the information found on this website as a substitute for seeking professional legal counsel.