Estimate Your Texas Child Support
While every family’s situation is unique, it can help to get a general idea of what child support may look like in your case. The Texas Attorney General’s Office provides an online calculator to help parents estimate monthly child support based on income and number of children.
You can use the tool here:
Texas Child Support Calculator
Please remember, this calculator offers only a basic estimate. Many factors — such as healthcare costs, child care expenses, or self-employment income — can significantly affect the final court-ordered amount. Our Dallas child support attorneys can review your financial situation in detail and provide guidance tailored to your circumstances.
At The Ashmore Law Firm, our Dallas child support attorneys help parents ensure their children receive the consistent financial support they deserve under Texas law. Whether you’re establishing, enforcing, or modifying a child support order, our experienced family law team is dedicated to protecting your children’s best interests while guiding you through every stage of the process.
Divorce and separation can bring complicated financial questions. Determining fair and accurate child support often leads to confusion—especially when one parent’s income is unclear, self-employment complicates the picture, or one side attempts to minimize their earnings. Our firm uncovers the truth, clarifies responsibilities, and ensures support amounts reflect each parent’s actual ability to contribute.
Understanding How Child Support Works Under Texas Law
Texas child support calculations start with a clear formula based on a parent’s net monthly income. Generally, courts allocate 20% of net income for one child, with incremental increases for additional children—up to 35% for three children.
For example, a Dallas parent earning $4,000 per month typically owes $800 for one child or $1,400 for three children. Judges may also add provisions for healthcare, childcare, and educational expenses depending on individual needs. This approach ensures each parent contributes proportionally, maintaining fairness and stability for the children involved.
Calculating Real “Net Income”
For many parents—especially those who are self-employed, run small businesses, or earn variable income—determining true net income requires careful analysis. Our attorneys work diligently to verify financial disclosures, analyze tax returns, and distinguish legitimate business expenses from personal costs.
We frequently uncover hidden income sources, such as cash jobs, investment earnings, or improperly claimed deductions that unfairly lower reported earnings. Through subpoenas, financial affidavits, and expert accounting reviews, our firm ensures the final child support calculation accurately reflects each parent’s true financial capacity.
When a Parent is Underemployed or Hiding Income
Some parents intentionally reduce their income to avoid child support responsibilities. Whether they leave a stable career, accept a lower-paying job, or hide assets, such tactics can harm children and violate Texas family law obligations.
Our Dallas child support lawyers identify these bad faith underemployment attempts by analyzing historical income, career patterns, and professional earning potential. When evidence supports intentional reduction, courts may impute income—assigning a realistic earning level to ensure children still receive fair support.
In legitimate cases of job loss or career change, we advocate for reasonable modifications that balance financial realities with ongoing parental duties.
Child Support for Self-Employed and Small Business Owners
Business ownership can make child support calculations especially complex. Entrepreneurs may manipulate reported salaries, retain earnings, or inflate expenses to lower their personal obligations.
Our attorneys, alongside forensic accountants when needed, thoroughly investigate self-employed parents’ finances to uncover accurate income levels. Texas courts allow imputation of income when evidence shows a parent is capable of earning more than reported. We ensure the final amount reflects the true earning capacity of the business owner.
Adjusting Support for Larger Families
For families with four or more children, maintaining equitable child support between two households requires careful planning. Our firm helps parents budget responsibly while meeting all legal obligations. We guide clients through adjustments to ensure that every child’s needs remain met, even when financial pressures increase after separation.
Modifying Child Support Orders After Job Loss or Major Changes
Life changes. Job losses, medical challenges, or significant shifts in income can make current support orders unmanageable. Texas law allows modifications when circumstances materially change.
Our Dallas child support attorneys act swiftly to file modification petitions, preventing arrears from accumulating and avoiding penalties such as license suspensions or contempt actions. Acting quickly protects both your finances and your legal standing.
Recovering Past Due or Retroactive Child Support
If a non-custodial parent stops paying child support, you may still recover past due payments plus interest. Texas law allows for retroactive recovery of unpaid support, even before a modification request was filed.
Our firm investigates timelines, collects payment histories, and aggressively pursues arrears enforcement through court actions when necessary. We ensure children receive every dollar they are legally owed.
Drafting Durable, Enforceable Child Support Agreements
Poorly drafted agreements often cause future disputes or enforcement issues. Our attorneys prepare child support ordersbuilt to withstand future challenges. We clarify income determination, healthcare coverage, educational contributions, and enforcement mechanisms—eliminating ambiguity that could lead to costly litigation later.
By anticipating potential disputes, our firm delivers peace of mind and long-term stability for both parents and children.
Why Choose The Ashmore Law Firm
When it comes to protecting your children’s financial well-being, you deserve a law firm that combines compassion with experience and strength in negotiation and litigation.
Our Dallas family law team offers:
-
Over 10 years of experience handling complex child support matters in Dallas County
-
In-depth knowledge of the Texas Family Code and evolving child support guidelines
-
Proven results in uncovering hidden income and securing fair orders
-
Compassionate representation that prioritizes your children’s needs
-
A responsive approach to urgent modifications and enforcement
Contact Our Dallas Child Support Lawyers Today
Whether you’re a parent seeking to establish fair support, enforce an existing order, or defend against inaccurate claims, The Ashmore Law Firm is ready to help. We protect children’s financial futures and hold both parents accountable to their obligations under Texas law.
Contact us online or call our Dallas office at 214-559-7202 to schedule a confidential consultation today.
