When parents begin or respond to a divorce or SAPCR (Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship) in Austin, one of the most common—and most important—questions is: “How much child support will I pay or receive?” While Texas offers a standardized formula, real child support numbers in Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Bastrop County, and the surrounding Central Texas courts often go beyond the guidelines, especially when a parent earns above-average income, has substantial assets, or when a child’s needs are unique.
Bollier Ciccone Stinson LLP’s Family Law team routinely guides parents through these complexities. Below, we explain how the Austin child support calculator works, when judges deviate from the Texas guidelines, and what really determines support obligations in high-income cases.
Texas Child Support Basics: The Guideline Formula
Texas applies a simple percentage-based model that starts with a parent’s net resources, as defined by the Texas Family Code¹. These resources include:
- Wages and salary
- Commissions, bonuses, and tips
- Self-employment income
- Rental income
- Retirement income
- Severance pay
- Certain benefits (VA benefits, disability benefits)
Net resources are defined by Texas Family Code § 154.062 and may include wages, income, and capital gains, while excluding items such as Social Security taxes and federal income taxes.
Under the guidelines, child support is:
- 20% for one child
- 25% for two
- 30% for three
- 35% for four
- 40% for five or more
However—and this is where Austin cases often begin to depart from the formula—the guidelines apply only up to the statutory cap.
Austin Child Support Calculator: Understanding the Income Cap
When parents in Austin talk about “child support beyond the guidelines,” they are usually referring to the statutory income cap that limits how much income the formula can consider. The guideline cap means courts apply the percentages only up to a certain level of monthly net resources. As of September 1, 2025, the child support cap is $11,700 in monthly net resources. Texas evaluates the cap roughly every six years, but actual adjustments depend on the Office of the Attorney General’s published figures.
What does this mean in practice?
- If a parent earns less than the cap, child support is calculated solely through the statutory formula.
- If a parent earns more than the cap, the court may order above-guideline support when justified.
High-income earners in Austin—particularly in tech, medical fields, consulting, government contracting, or entrepreneurial roles—frequently exceed the guideline cap, which is why Austin child support calculations often require more analysis than a basic formula.
When Courts Exceed Child Support Guidelines in Austin
Judges in Travis County and Williamson County, for example, cannot order above-guideline support simply because one parent earns a high income. To deviate, the court must find that guideline support is “unjust or inappropriate” based on the child’s proven needs.²
Below are the major reasons Central Texas courts deviate from guideline support.
- Special Needs or Unique Educational Requirements
Austin is home to many children with a wide range of needs, including:
- Learning differences
- Therapy needs
- Specialized schooling
- Medical or developmental support requirements
Judges frequently consider evidence of:
- Occupational, speech, or behavioral therapies
- Private school costs
- Aides, tutors, or learning support programs
- Medical specialists
- Assistive technologies
Travis County judges, in particular, are known for taking a detailed look at a child’s medical and educational expenses. If a parent can present credible evidence of recurring needs, a court may order support above the cap to ensure continuity of care.
- High Cost of Living Factors in Austin
Although the Texas Family Code does not directly account for cost of living, Austin judges may consider expenses related to:
- Stable housing in safe school zones
- Transportation needs
- Childcare in a higher-cost metro area
- Extracurricular participation
This is not about equalizing household incomes. Instead, courts look at maintaining stability and ensuring the child’s lifestyle is reasonably preserved. Texas law does not authorize deviations based solely on cost of living; however, courts may consider how local expenses relate to the child’s specific needs.
- High-Income Parents and Lifestyle Maintenance
For parents earning well beyond the cap—sometimes hundreds of thousands per year—judges may consider:
- Existing lifestyle before separation
- Expenses previously covered by the paying parent
- Whether the child would be disadvantaged by guideline support
For example, if a child previously traveled, participated in select sports, or attended private school, guideline support may be insufficient.
Williamson County courts often examine these lifestyle factors closely, especially when one parent argues that the other is seeking “hidden alimony.” Evidence must show that these lifestyle costs are for the child, not the other parent.
- Deviations Related to Possession Schedules
Although Texas does not use a direct parenting-time credit like some states, Austin judges frequently consider:
- Whether one parent has extended or 50/50 possession
- Whether the non-primary parent is carrying a large share of day-to-day expenses
- Whether time in each household materially affects the child’s needs
Travis County judges tend to be slightly more flexible with deviations in true 50/50 cases, while Williamson County typically approaches deviations more conservatively.
- Evidence of Significant Non-Guideline Expenses
Courts may deviate when the child’s expenses include:
- Summer camps
- Travel expenses for out-of-state visitation
- Extracurriculars with significant cost (select sports, music conservatories, robotics programs)
- Nannies or au pairs
Again, evidence is the key. Judges will not deviate beyond the guidelines without documentation.
How High-Income Child Support is Calculated in Austin
When going above the guidelines, the court examines:
Step 1: Establish Net Resources Up to the Cap
Guideline support is calculated for income up to the statutory limit.
Step 2: Determine the Child’s Proven Needs
“Needs” include more than bare necessities. They may include private education, specialized care, tutoring, and other reasonable lifestyle expenses.
Step 3: Allocate Responsibility Between the Parents
The court assesses:
- Each parent’s income
- Each parent’s share of possession time
- Household expenses
- Standard of living
Step 4: Order Additional Support If Required
If proven needs exceed the guideline amount, the court may add a supplemental support amount.
High-income cases often involve financial experts, forensic accountants, or business valuation professionals to establish accurate net resources.
What Judges in Travis and Williamson Counties Look For
Judges in Central Texas carefully evaluate child-specific evidence when considering deviations from guideline support. Courts often focus on documentation of expenses, the child’s needs, and the credibility of financial evidence presented. In doing so, judges may:
- Examine detailed financial disclosures
- Consider educational and medical needs in depth
- Evaluate how both households support the child’s lifestyle
Courts may expect supporting documentation, such as:
- Receipts, invoices, and budgets
- Proof of recurring expenses
- Expert testimony in high-income cases
Situations That Commonly Lead to Higher-Than-Expected Child Support
Parents in Austin often pay more than the guideline amount when:
- They earn well above the guideline cap (often $180,000–$250,000+ annually)
- One parent stays home or works part-time due to childcare
- The child attends a private or specialized school
- A child has special needs
- The paying parent previously funded a high standard of living
- A 50/50 schedule still results in unequal financial ability
Can You Avoid Going Above the Guidelines?
Yes—if the paying parent can show:
- The child’s needs are fully met by guideline support
- Requested expenses are not truly “needs”
- The receiving parent’s proposal is inflated or unsupported
- Their own financial obligations make higher support unreasonable
In high-income cases, documentation and expert testimony are often the deciding factor.
How Our Austin Family Law Firm Helps With Child Support
Calculating child support in Austin is not a simple application of percentages. It requires:
- Detailed financial analysis
- Deep familiarity with Travis and Williamson County judicial preferences
- Careful documentation of the child’s needs
- Skilled negotiation and litigation strategies for high-income cases
Whether you expect to pay child support or receive it, the right legal approach can create significant long-term financial stability for both you and your children.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re trying to understand child support beyond the guidelines—or you anticipate a high-income or complex support case—the BCS Family Law team can help you understand what to expect and protect your rights every step of the way.
This guide is only meant to give you a foundational understanding of what to expect during the child support calculation process—this is not legal advice. To realize the full scope of your potential case you need an experienced attorney. Need help navigating Texas child support laws? Contact the experienced attorneys at Bollier Ciccone Stinson LLP for a consultation.
The BCS Family Law practice is led by veteran Board-Certified Family Law attorneys Leslie Bollier, Susannah Stinson, and Emily Landeros who are recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The BCS Law team will work together with you to ensure the safety and emotional well-being of you and your children, no matter how intense your conflict may be. Whether an agreement or settlement is reached inside or outside of court, we stand ready to leverage your legal position and rights in a manner that is strategic, effective, and realizes your ultimate goal.
¹ See Texas Family Code § 154.062 (defining “net resources” for child support calculations).
² Texas Family Code § 154.123 (listing factors courts may consider when deviating from guideline child support).