New Child Support Laws 2025-2026: What Changed by State

Texas raised the maximum net resources cap from $9,200 to $11,700 per month under SB 1936, effective September 1, 2025. This is the income ceiling used to calculate guideline child support; the percentages themselves (20% for 1 child, 25% for 2, etc.) did not change. The higher cap means higher-earning parents may see their guideline amount increase.

For example, the maximum guideline amount for one child is now $2,340/month (20% of $11,700), up from $1,840 (20% of $9,200). Courts may still order support above the cap based on the child's needs.

Statute: Texas Family Code Chapter 154 • Source: txcourts.gov • Texas calculator

Virginia expanded its guideline schedule under SB 805 (2025 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 702), effective July 1, 2025. The schedule now covers combined gross monthly incomes up to $42,500 (previously $35,000) and added a 6th child column.

For incomes above $42,500, the guideline amount at $42,500 is used as a base, plus a percentage of income above that amount (2.6% for 1 child, 3.4% for 2, 3.8% for 3, 4.2% for 4, 4.6% for 5, 5.0% for 6 children).

Statute: VA Code § 20-108.2 • Source: law.lis.virginia.gov • Virginia calculator

California overhauled its child support formula under SB 343, operative September 1, 2024. The changes affect the K-factor income bands in Family Code § 4055(b)(3), which determine what percentage of income goes toward support:

• New income bands with revised K-factor fractions: the lowest band ($0-$2,900) uses 0.165 + TN/82,857 (previously 0.20 + TN/16,000 under the old bands).
• Add-on expenses (child care, uninsured health costs) are now shared proportionally based on income instead of the previous 50/50 split.
• A new low-income adjustment applies when the obligor's net disposable income is below full-time minimum wage gross ($2,860/month at $16.50/hr).

Statute: California Family Code § 4055 • Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov • California calculator

Massachusetts issued its quadrennial update to the Child Support Guidelines, effective December 1, 2025. Key changes:

• The income cap was raised from $400,000 to $450,000 per year (approximately $37,500/month).
• The minimum child support order was increased from $12 to $15 per week ($65/month).
• Updated low-income thresholds to $301/week (100% FPL) and $391/week (130% FPL).
• The guidelines now explicitly recognize income from digital assets and address cases with more than two legal parents.

Statute: MA General Laws Ch. 208 § 28 • Source: mass.gov • Massachusetts calculator

New Jersey revised its Appendix IX-F support schedule effective September 1, 2025, based on Dr. Macpherson's 2024 Rothbarth analysis of Consumer Expenditure Survey microdata. The schedule covers combined net weekly incomes up to $3,600 (approximately $15,600/month).

Additional changes effective June 1, 2026 include updated tax withholding tables (Appendix IX-H), updated poverty guideline amounts, and a reduction in the childcare cost eligibility age from 15 to 13 (unless the child has special needs).

Statute: NJ Court Rule 5:6A • Source: njcourts.gov • New Jersey calculator

New York raised the combined parental income cap from $183,000 to $193,000 per year ($16,083/month), effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2028. The Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) percentages (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, 35% for 5+) apply to income up to this cap. Income above it is discretionary.

The self-support reserve was also updated to $21,546 per year ($1,796/month), equal to 135% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline of $15,960 for one person.

Statute: NY DRL § 240 (Child Support Standards Act) • Source: nysenate.gov • New York calculator

Pennsylvania updated its basic child support schedule effective January 1, 2026 (published as 55 Pa.B. 5978). The new schedule under Rule 1910.16-3 covers combined monthly net incomes from $1,500 to $30,000 across 6 child columns.

The self-support reserve was updated to $1,255 per month ($15,060/year). If the obligor's net income is at or below the SSR, support may only be awarded after consideration of actual financial resources.

Statute: Pennsylvania Rule 1910.16-3 • Source: pacodeandbulletin.gov • Pennsylvania calculator

Washington substantially revised its Economic Table under EHB 1014, effective January 1, 2026. The income range was expanded from $1,000-$12,000 to $2,200-$50,000 combined monthly net income — more than quadrupling the top end.

The self-support reserve was set at $2,394 per month (180% of the 2026 federal poverty guideline). A presumptive minimum order of $50 per child per month applies for income below the table floor.

Statute: RCW 26.19 • Source: courts.wa.gov • Washington calculator

Georgia substantially revised its child support worksheet under SB 454 (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15). The updated BCSO (Basic Child Support Obligation) table took effect July 1, 2024, expanding to $40,000 combined adjusted gross monthly income with 6 child columns (up from $30,000 and 5 columns). Additional provisions took effect January 1, 2026:

• A mandatory parenting-time adjustment replaced the prior discretionary deviation, using each parent's court-ordered days raised to the power of 2.5 in a seven-step formula.
• An automatic low-income adjustment for NCP income of $1,550-$3,950/month. At or below $1,500, the obligation is a flat percentage: 19% (1 child) to 28% (6 children).
• A veterans' disability benefit credit for VA disability payments made directly to a child.

Statute: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 • Source: csc.georgiacourts.gov • Georgia calculator

Colorado updated its child support schedule under HB 25-1159, effective March 1, 2026. The new schedule is based on the Betson-Rothbarth Study and 2023 CPI data, and covers combined adjusted gross monthly incomes up to $40,000 (expanded from $30,000).

• The 93-overnight threshold was eliminated. Parenting time credit now begins from the first overnight and scales proportionally across the full range.
• The self-support reserve is $1,831.83/month (CO minimum wage $15.16/hr x 29 hours/week). If the obligor earns $650/month or less, a flat $10/month minimum applies.

Statute: C.R.S. § 14-10-115 • Source: courts.state.co.us • Colorado calculator

If your state updated its guidelines, your current child support order was calculated under the old rules. To see what the new guidelines produce for your situation, use our free child support calculator — select your state, enter your current income and number of children, and compare the result to your existing order.

If the new estimate is substantially different, you may have grounds to request a modification from the court. Many states treat a guideline update as a valid reason for review, even without a change in income.