- The state of Texas holds that both parents have equal responsibility in supporting children. Parents must pay support until their child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever occurs later. The state can take a number of actions against a parent who fails to pay court-ordered child support.
- Texas determines child support payments based on resources and number of children. Resources can include income, government payments like disability and unemployment insurance, rental property income and capital gains, among other things. Income deductions include 20 percent for one child, 25 percent for two, 30 percent for three, 35 percent for four, 40 percent for five and over 40 percent for six or more children. If the court finds the parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, it can base guidelines on earning potential regardless of current financial circumstances. The court can modify these amounts as it sees fit in certain circumstances
- Texas law requires wage garnishment to meet child support obligations. This means that owed money gets directly deducted from the parent's paycheck.
- The noncustodial parent must provide health insurance for his children by purchasing a plan through his place of employment. If he cannot provide a plan, the custodial parent must cover the children but the noncustodial parent must reimburse the other for the cost of insuring the children.
- Parents who fail to pay child support can face a number of ramifications including garnishment of tax refunds, up to 6 months in jail, loss of driver's license or professional licenses necessary for business and garnishment of lottery winnings
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