Child Support In San Antonio: A Clear Guide For Parents

When you’re raising children in two households, child support isn’t just a financial obligation; it’s how kids stay supported, stable, and secure. For families in San Antonio and Bexar County, child support cases typically move through the Child Support Courts, often with the involvement of the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Many parents tell Fanny Martin Poteet, Associate Attorney at Modern Family Law, that what they want most is fairness: a child support plan that reflects real income, real needs, and real life.

“Child support can feel intimidating,” Fanny explains. “I remind parents that the system is designed to care for the child and allows for changes when circumstances shift.”

Is Child Support Handled Differently In San Antonio?

Texas uses statewide child support guidelines, and Bexar County applies those same rules. The core law lives in Texas Family Code Chapter 154, which sets out the guideline percentages and how a parent’s “net resources” are calculated.

Where things do become local is in how the judges use their discretion. Bexar County has dedicated Child Support Courts with associate judges who hear these cases daily.

Fanny notes that, “The courts here follow Texas’ standard guideline formulas, but every judge has discretion. Their judgment calls, especially on deviations, can make a real difference in a family’s case.”

So while the math is statewide, the outcome can be shaped by how well you document your situation and present your story to a local judge.

How Texas Law Calculates Child Support

Under Texas Family Code § 154.125, guideline support is usually calculated by applying a percentage to the paying parent’s monthly net resources (income after certain deductions like taxes and health insurance):

• 1 child: 20%

• 2 children: 25%

• 3 children: 30%

• 4 children: 35%

• 5 or more: 40% or more

There are also low-income guidelines; for example, if a parent’s net resources are under $1,000, the percentages are reduced (such as 15% for one child and 20% for two), recognizing that very low-income parents still need to meet their own basic needs.

The Texas OAG’s Child Support Division is one of the largest in the country. In a recent fiscal year, it collected over $4.8 billion in child support for more than 1.6 million children statewide, a reminder that your case is part of a huge system designed to move money to kids.

Yet, nationally, data suggest that only about 45–46% of parents receive the full child support they’re owed, which is why enforcement and realistic orders matter so much.

Fanny’s experience tracks with this: “When orders match real income and real needs and parents understand how support is calculated, compliance tends to be better. Unrealistic numbers usually create long-term problems.”

A Big 2025 Change: Texas Raises The Child Support “Cap”

Texas law sets a maximum amount of monthly net resources to which those guideline percentages apply, often called the “cap.” For years, that cap was $9,200 per month. That’s changing in a major way.

Effective September 1, 2025, the cap increases to $11,700 per month, the largest such increase in Texas history.

When that higher cap is used, the maximum guideline child support payments for higher-earning parents can reach approximately:

• $2,340 per month for one child

• $2,925 for two

• $3,510 for three

• $4,095 for four

• $4,680 for five or more children

This change is important in San Antonio because many orders will eventually be reviewed under the new cap. “This change will impact many families with higher-earning parents,” Fanny says. “Understanding how the cap applies is crucial when planning whether you’re paying or receiving support.”

Under Texas law, changes like this can qualify as a “material and substantial change in circumstances” and may support a request to modify an existing order if the new guideline amount differs enough from the old one.

What Judges Look At Beyond The Formula

Even in a busy county like Bexar, judges don’t just plug numbers into a calculator and stop there. They can consider:

• a child’s unusual medical needs,

• significant childcare or education expenses,

• high travel costs for visitation, or

• signs that a parent is intentionally underemployed or manipulating income.

Fanny has seen this play out firsthand: “I’ve seen judges allow modest deviations when circumstances warrant it. The key is persuasive documentation—not just saying things are hard, but showing how and why.”

In practice, that means bank statements, invoices, medical records, and clear explanations often carry more weight than emotional arguments alone.

Self-Employment & Business Owners: Finding The “Real” Income

Self-employment, gig work, and small business ownership are common in San Antonio, but they make child support more complex. When a parent is self-employed, courts may examine:

• tax returns (including Schedules C or K-1)

• profit-and-loss statements and balance sheets

• personal and business bank statements

• owner’s draws and distributions

• personal expenses run through the business

All of this is aimed at identifying real earning capacity, not just what shows up on a tax return after aggressive deductions.

“Self-employment cases are some of the most complex,” Fanny explains. “Judges dig into the business’s financials to understand the parent’s true earning capacity. If expenses look inflated or income looks artificially low, courts can and will impute income.”

Courts may average income over several years or set a reasonable minimum income based on the parent’s education, experience, and local job market, especially if a business consistently reports losses.

Changing Child Support in San Antonio: When & How

Texas law allows a child support order to be modified if:

• There has been a material and substantial change in circumstances (such as job loss, major income change, or significant medical expenses), or

• Three years have passed since the last order, and the new guideline amount would differ by at least 20% or $100 per month.

In Bexar County, a modification request will usually be heard by an associate judge in the Child Support Court. Some cases run through the OAG’s processes; others are brought by private attorneys.

Fanny’s approach is to make the change unmistakable: “I ask clients to prepare a before-and-after comparison: what finances looked like when the old order was set and what they look like now. Side-by-side tables, bank statements, and pay records help the judge see the shift clearly.”

A few key points to keep in mind:

• File promptly. Modifications usually aren’t retroactive beyond the filing date.
• Be organized. Judges see many cases in a day; clean records stand out.
• Be honest. If the court suspects numbers are manipulated, credibility becomes a major issue.

Is This The Right Time To Revisit Child Support?

Child support is meant to be predictable enough to plan around and flexible enough to change when life changes. You may want to talk to an attorney if you:

• lost or changed jobs,

• saw a large increase or decrease in income,

• took on new support obligations,

• have a child whose needs or medical expenses have changed, or

• believe the other parent’s income no longer matches what’s in the order.

“When parents are proactive and transparent, the process is less frightening,” Fanny says. “You don’t have to wait until arrears pile up or stress becomes unbearable to ask for help.”

When To Contact A Family Law Attorney

If you’re facing child support questions, financial changes, or concerns about how Texas guidelines apply to your situation, speaking with a knowledgeable attorney can help you protect your rights and understand your options.

The team at Modern Family Law in San Antonio understands how Bexar County courts handle child support and can guide you through every step from establishing an order to modifying or enforcing one when circumstances change.