Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Yes, there is a standard formula. Child support is calculated based on (1) the net income from all sources - including overtime, commissions, and bonuses - of the person who is paying ("net income" is gross income minus taxes which are calculated based on a table that is printed in the Family Code); (2) the number of children for whom he is paying child support under that particular order; and (3) the number of "outside children" for whom he is responsible. "Outside children" includes (a) children for whom he's paying child support under another Court AND (b) minor children who are "his" (doesn't include stepchildren) who are living with him.

For instance, a man who has only one child by one family will pay that ex wife 20% of his net income for child support PLUS he will be required to provide health insurance for the child (unless the parties agree otherwise). For two children, it would be 25%. Three children would be 30%.

If he has two ex wives, each with one child, he should be paying each ex wife 17.5% of his net income.