Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · CHAPTER 154. CHILD SUPPORT
Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 154.009 (2026)

Retroactive Child Support

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 154.009. RETROACTIVE CHILD SUPPORT. (a) The court may order a parent to pay retroactive child support if the parent:

(1) has not previously been ordered to pay support for the child; and

(2) was not a party to a suit in which support was ordered.

(b) In ordering retroactive child support, the court shall apply the child support guidelines provided by this chapter.

(c) Unless the Title IV-D agency is a party to an agreement concerning support or purporting to settle past, present, or future support obligations by prepayment or otherwise, an agreement between the parties does not reduce or terminate retroactive support that the agency may request.

(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the court may order a parent subject to a previous child support order to pay retroactive child support if:

(1) the previous child support order terminated as a result of the marriage or remarriage of the child's parents;

(2) the child's parents separated after the marriage or remarriage; and

(3) a new child support order is sought after the date of the separation.

(e) In rendering an order under Subsection (d), the court may order retroactive child support back to the date of the separation of the child's parents.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1023, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 43 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1998–2025 · leading case: In the Interest of J.G.Z., 963 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App. 1998).
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In the Interest of J.G.Z., 963 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “We modify the order awarding $55,000 in future payments for retroactive support to a total of $7,637.”
In the Interest of M.M., 980 S.W.2d 699 (Tex. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 154.009 (Vernon 1996) (allowing retroactive support to be assessed using child support guidelines).”
Juan Ayala v. Blanca Edit Ayala, 387 S.W.3d 721 (Tex. App. 2011). “It shall consider the net resources of the obligor during the relevant time period. Id. § 154.”
In re Moore, 511 S.W.3d 278 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 154.009(a)(1) (West 2014) (court may order parent to pay retroactive child support if parent not previously ordered to pay support); 156.”
Garza v. Attorney Gen., 166 S.W.3d 799 (Tex. App. 2005). “Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 154.009 (Vernon 2002); In the Interest of J.”
Garza v. Blanton, 55 S.W.3d 708 (Tex. App. 2001). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 154.009 (Vernon 1996) (emphasis added).”
Knight v. Knight, 131 S.W.3d 535 (Tex. App. 2004). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 154.009 (Vernon 2002); In the Interest of J.”
In the Interest of Gonzalez, 993 S.W.2d 147 (Tex. App. 1999). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 154.009 , 160.005(b) (Vernon 1996).”
In re Interest of J.M.M., 549 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App. 2018). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 154.009(b), 154.131(b) (West 2014).”
In the Interest of A.B., a Child, 368 S.W.3d 850 (Tex. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “009 provides that the trial court “shall apply” the child-support guidelines prescribed in Chapter 154 when ordering retroactive support; Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 154.009 (b); but section 154.”
In the Interest of Sanders, 159 S.W.3d 797 (Tex. App. 2005). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 154.009(a) (Vernon 2002) (a provision allowing the court to order a parent to pay retroactive child support and falling under chapter 154 of Title 5 of the Family Code).”
in the Interest of A.G.G., a Child, 267 S.W.3d 165 (Tex. App. 2008). “On appeal, appellant raises a number of complaints, such as: (1) “contempt may not be used for debt,” (2) "there is no clear, specific and unambiguous child support order,” (3) “appellee is not entitled to a default hearing,” (4) "nonconformity with rule 245,” (5) "judgment does…”
Show all 43 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 154.009(a) — 6 cases
In the Interest of Sanders, 159 S.W.3d 797 (Tex. App. 2005). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 154.009(a) (Vernon 2002) (a provision allowing the court to order a parent to pay retroactive child support and falling under chapter 154 of Title 5 of the Family Code).”
in the Interest of M.A.B., a Child (Tex. App. 2017).
Ericka Margaret Norman v. Benjamin David Martin (Tex. App. 2019).
Gilbert Estrada, Jr. v. Dana Deann Garrett-Estrada (Tex. App. 2023).
In the Interest of D.L.C., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 154.009(a)(1) — 3 cases
In re Moore, 511 S.W.3d 278 (Tex. App. 2016). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 154.009(a)(1) (West 2014) (court may order parent to pay retroactive child support if parent not previously ordered to pay support); 156.”
Clyde E. Kebodeaux v. Patricia Kebodeaux (Tex. App. 2021).
in the Interest of E.O. & A.O., Minor Child. (Tex. App. 2021).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 154.009(b) — 3 cases
In re Interest of J.M.M., 549 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App. 2018). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 154.009(b), 154.131(b) (West 2014).”
Gilbert Estrada, Jr. v. Dana Deann Garrett-Estrada (Tex. App. 2023).
in the Interest of T.G. a Child v. Gardner, Shechinah (Tex. App. 2013).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 154.009(e) — 1 case
in the Matter of the Marriage of Melissa Marie Cone & Joshua Joseph Cone & in the Interest of A.J.C., a Child (Tex. App. 2019).
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