Texas OAG — Houston Regional Office

About Child Support for Fathers

Child support in the United States is administered state-by-state under the Title IV-D federal program, with every state required to operate a child support enforcement agency. These agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate support obligations, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and other civil enforcement tools. Support amounts are calculated using state-specific guidelines, most based on an income shares or percentage-of-income formula. Fathers paying support can request modifications when their income drops substantially or when circumstances change (job loss, additional children, disability). Fathers owed support can open a case with their state agency free of charge. This directory includes each state's child support agency, online calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.

Child Support in Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

More Child Support in Texas

• Texas OAG Child Support Division — The primary state agency responsible for establishing, collecting, and enforcing child support orders statewide. Assists both custodial and
• Texas Child Support Online Portal — Official portal for managing child support cases online. View payment history, update contact information, request services, and access case
• Texas Monthly Child Support Calculator — Official OAG calculator estimating monthly obligations based on Texas guidelines using percentage of noncustodial parent's net monthly resou
• Texas Child Support Modification Request — Request a review if your order is at least 3 years old or there's been a material change in circumstances such as job loss, income change, o
• Texas Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) — Allows unmarried biological fathers to voluntarily establish paternity by signing an AOP form at the hospital after birth or at an OAG offic
• NCP Choices — Noncustodial Parent Employment Program — Joint program of Texas OAG and TWC helping unemployed/underemployed noncustodial parents find stable work. Job search assistance, skills tra

Child Support — Common Questions

How do I open a child support case?

Apply through your state's Child Support Services agency — usually online, in person, or by mail. Applications are free, and the agency handles paternity establishment, order creation, and enforcement on your behalf. You don't need the other parent's cooperation to open a case.

Can I modify my child support order?

Yes, if there's a substantial change in circumstances (income drop of 15–25% or more, job loss, disability, a new child, change in custody time). File a Motion to Modify with the court that issued the original order. Most states don't modify retroactively — file as soon as circumstances change.

What happens if I can't pay?

Contact the child support agency immediately — don't ignore the debt. Options include payment plans, hardship modifications, and in some states, work programs that substitute community service for payment. Accumulated arrears don't disappear but can sometimes be reduced through debt compromise programs.

How is the amount calculated?

Each state uses guidelines — most follow Income Shares (combining both parents' income) or Percentage of Income (only non-custodial parent's income). Online calculators on every state agency site estimate your obligation. The actual order also considers health insurance, childcare, and other add-ons.