Child Support Calculator & Official State Tools
Updated
Calculate a Texas base guideline amount from confirmed net resources, or find the official process for another state or tribal order. Prepare the income, custody and expense records the agency needs. An estimate does not change an existing order.
Choose your calculation
Texas base guideline estimate, plus official tools for other states. Figures stay in this form; no account or email is required.
Before you use an official worksheet
You can take this checklist to an agency appointment. Keep personal records private; this page does not need copies.
- The controlling order
- Bring the case number, issuing court or agency, existing order and later modifications. Ask which jurisdiction's rules apply if anyone has moved.
- Income and allowed deductions
- Collect recent pay stubs, tax records, benefit statements and self-employment records. Ask what counts as income and which deductions the worksheet allows.
- Children and parenting schedule
- List children in this case, other children owed a duty of support, the current schedule and any pending custody changes. Use actual records rather than a guessed number of nights.
- Child-related expenses
- Separate the child's medical and dental premiums from the family premium. Bring childcare bills, uncovered medical costs and information about who pays each expense.
- Existing balance and payments
- Request the agency's payment history and arrears balance. Keep current support, past-due support and interest separate; a new estimate does not settle the old balance.
- What changed and when
- Keep dated evidence of job loss, disability, incarceration, release or a changed parenting schedule. Ask how and when to request review instead of waiting for the next payment to become due.
Official calculations and help
- Texas OAG calculator: includes income, deductions and other children.
- New York City HRA calculator: explains its New York guideline scope and links to a more detailed court calculator.
- USA.gov child support services: find the state or tribal agency for your case.
- LawHelp: search for local legal assistance and check the provider's eligibility rules.
If incarceration or release changed your income
ACF's federal-rule explanation says state guidelines cannot treat incarceration as voluntary unemployment. Its 180-day provision concerns agency review or notice procedures; it is not a nationwide waiting period for seeking help.Read the ACF explanation.
Ask the agency: “Is my order under review? Do I need to submit a request? What documents and service steps are required? What is the earliest effective date? How do I participate while in custody?” Keep a copy and confirmation of each submission.
After release, request a current account statement and ask separately about the ongoing amount and arrears. A job change, release date or calculator result does not by itself tell you that an existing order has changed.
Common questions
- Can I calculate support from my salary alone?
- Use the income definition in the applicable official worksheet. Taxable wages, take-home pay and guideline income can differ. The Texas tool here requires net resources already determined under Texas rules; it does not estimate deductions from salary.
- Does this tool work for every state?
- The dollar calculation covers a limited Texas base-guideline scenario. For other states or tribal orders, use the official agency or court worksheet. This page provides preparation steps and official starting points, without inventing a nationwide percentage.
- Does a lower estimate reduce what I currently owe?
- No. A calculator does not modify an order or erase arrears. Ask the agency handling your case about review or modification, required notice, and the earliest date a change could take effect.
- What if I am going to jail or have just been released?
- Contact the agency or legal aid promptly with your case number, custody dates and current income information. Ask whether your order is being reviewed, whether you need to apply, and how to participate from custody. Do not assume incarceration automatically stops payments or that you must wait 180 days to request help.
- Does equal parenting time mean no child support?
- Do not assume that. The applicable worksheet and court order determine how parenting time and each parent's finances affect support. This Texas base calculator does not apply a parenting-time adjustment.
- Why does Texas ask about other children?
- A legal duty to support other children can change the guideline calculation. Those cases, and cases involving six or more children, need a fuller calculation. This page directs them to the Texas OAG calculator rather than applying a guessed discount.
Related Resources on This Site
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- Criminal LawFelony vs. misdemeanor — what's the difference?
- Free Legal AidFree legal aid by state
- ToolsReentry Checklist — Preparation Steps After Release
Video Guides
Educational information and a limited base calculation. The applicable agency or court determines your case; this page does not provide a payment order or legal advice.