The Texas Child Support Cap ($11,700), Explained
Texas does not apply the guideline percentages to unlimited income. There is a cap on the net resources the percentages reach.
The current cap: $11,700 per month
As of September 1, 2025, guideline child support applies only to the first $11,700 of a parent's monthly net resources. The cap rose from the prior $9,200 figure.
The cap is adjusted by the Texas Office of the Attorney General every six years to track inflation.
What the cap means in practice
- If a parent's net resources are at or below $11,700/month, the percentage applies to all of it.
- If a parent earns more than $11,700/month in net resources, the guideline percentage stops at $11,700. For one child, that makes the guideline maximum 20% × $11,700 = $2,340/month.
| Children | Guideline maximum (net resources at the $11,700 cap) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,340 |
| 2 | $2,925 |
| 3 | $3,510 |
| 4 | $4,095 |
| 5 | $4,680 |
Going above the cap: "the proven needs of the child"
A court can order more than the capped guideline amount — but only if the requesting parent proves the child's actual needs exceed it. The court does not simply apply the percentage to a high earner's full income; the parent asking for more must show specific needs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cap mean a high earner pays less proportionally? Effectively yes — above $11,700 of net resources, the percentage no longer climbs automatically, so support becomes a smaller share of total income unless the child's proven needs justify more.
Was there an older $9,200 cap? Yes. Orders set before September 1, 2025 used the $9,200 cap. The new cap is one reason a modification may now be available.
This is general information, not legal advice. High-income child support cases turn on proof of the child's needs. For advice, contact Nemec Law Office, serving Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties.
Related: Texas child support percentages · How child support is calculated · Calculator