When parents in Missouri separate or divorce, one of the most important questions they face is how much child support should be paid. Child support is money that one parent pays to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising their children. Missouri has a specific system for figuring out these payments, and understanding how it works can help families plan for their future.
What Is Child Support?
Child support is designed to make sure children have what they need, even when their parents no longer live together. The main goal is to help children maintain a similar standard of living to what they would have experienced if their parents had stayed together. Both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially, but the parent who spends less time with the children typically pays child support to the parent who has them most of the time.
The money from child support can be used for many different expenses. These include basic needs like food, clothing, and housing. It can also cover costs for healthcare, school supplies, extracurricular activities, and other expenses that come with raising children. The amount paid should be fair based on what both parents earn and what the children need.
How Missouri Calculates Child Support
Missouri uses a specific tool called Form 14, also known as the Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet. This form helps determine how much child support should be paid in most cases. While the name might sound complicated, it's essentially a standardized calculator that considers several important factors.
The system Missouri uses is called the "income share" method. This approach is based on the idea that children should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the parents lived together. Both the custodial parent (the one the child lives with most of the time) and the non-custodial parent (the one who has less time with the child) are expected to contribute financially.
Key Factors in the Calculation
Several important pieces of information go into calculating child support in Missouri. Understanding these factors can help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Number of Children
The first thing the calculator considers is how many children need support. More children generally mean higher support payments because there are more expenses to cover.
Gross Monthly Income
Both parents must report their gross monthly income, which is the amount they earn before taxes and other deductions are taken out. This includes wages from jobs, but it can also include income from other sources like bonuses, commissions, rental properties, or investments. The calculator looks at the combined income of both parents to determine the total resources available for supporting the children.
Adjusted Monthly Income
After calculating gross income, certain adjustments are made. For example, if a parent is already paying child support for children from another relationship, that amount is subtracted. The same goes for alimony payments. These adjustments help create a more accurate picture of what each parent actually has available to contribute.
Work-Related Childcare Costs
If either parent pays for daycare or after-school care so they can work, these costs are included in the calculation. Childcare is often one of the biggest expenses families face, so it's important to account for it accurately.
Health Insurance Costs
The cost of health insurance for the children is also factored into the calculation. Whether it's paid through an employer's plan or purchased privately, these premiums are considered when determining the final child support amount.
Other Expenses
Additional costs can be included as well. These might include expenses for private school tuition, special medical needs, tutoring, sports teams, music lessons, or other activities that benefit the children.
Parenting Time
The amount of time the non-custodial parent spends with the children affects the calculation. Missouri recognizes that when children spend more nights with the paying parent, that parent is directly covering more of the children's expenses during those times. Form 14 includes an adjustment for this. Generally, if the paying parent has the children for 36 to 183 overnights per year, they can deduct a percentage from their support obligation.
The Results
Once all the information is entered into Form 14, it calculates what's called the "presumed child support amount." This is the amount that Missouri law presumes is appropriate based on the circumstances. In most cases, judges will order this amount to be paid.
However, it's important to understand that the Form 14 amount is not always final. A judge can order a different amount if there are good reasons to do so. This is called "deviating" from the guidelines. For instance, if a child has special medical needs that aren't fully covered by insurance, the judge might increase the support amount. Or if one parent has unusual financial circumstances, the amount might be adjusted.
Parents can also agree to a different amount than what Form 14 calculates, especially if their case is uncontested or they're working out a settlement agreement. As long as both parents agree and the arrangement is in the child's best interest, they have some flexibility. However, if parents can't agree and the case goes to trial, judges usually stick with the Form 14 amount unless there's clear evidence that a different number would be better.
Alternative Calculation Methods
While Form 14 and the income share method are standard in Missouri, other approaches might be used in certain situations.
The "percentage of income" method is simpler. It takes a set percentage of the non-custodial parent's income and designates that as child support. However, this method is less commonly used because it doesn't consider the custodial parent's income or the actual needs of the children as thoroughly.
For parents with joint or shared custody arrangements, where children spend significant time with both parents, the calculation becomes more complex. The court looks at how much time the children spend with each parent and what expenses each parent is responsible for. In some cases where parents truly share custody equally, the Form 14 amount might be split in half.
What Is the Maximum Child Support?
Many people wonder if there's a cap on child support payments in Missouri. The truth is that there isn't a specific maximum amount set by law. The amount depends entirely on the factors we've discussed, especially the parents' incomes and the children's needs.
High-earning parents will naturally pay more than those with lower incomes, and families with higher incomes typically have higher expenses. The calculator is designed to scale appropriately based on these circumstances. Your individual situation and the specific factors in your case will determine the actual amount.
How Child Support Payments Work
In Missouri, child support payments typically don't go directly from one parent to the other. Instead, the Missouri Child Support Program collects the money from the paying parent and then distributes it to the receiving parent. This system helps keep clear records and ensures accountability.
The most common way payments are collected is through an income-withholding order. This means the child support amount is automatically deducted from the paying parent's paycheck, just like taxes. The money then goes through the state's system before reaching the other parent.
Parents can submit payments in several ways. They can pay online, send payments by mail, or use other approved methods. The receiving parent can choose to get their child support money through direct deposit into their bank account or on a prepaid debit card.
It's important to note that even if the paying parent falls behind on child support, the other parent cannot legally deny them time with the children. Visitation rights and child support are considered separate issues under Missouri law. The parenting schedule must be followed regardless of payment status, though legal action can be taken to enforce payment obligations.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
What happens if a parent doesn't pay child support as ordered? Missouri takes these obligations seriously and has several tools to enforce child support orders.
The Missouri Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program has significant power to collect overdue support. They can intercept tax refunds, taking money that would otherwise go to the non-paying parent and redirecting it to child support. They can withhold income by working with employers. They can place liens on property or vehicles, making it difficult for someone to sell these assets without paying what they owe first.
Other enforcement methods include reporting non-paying parents to credit bureaus, which can damage their credit score and make it harder to get loans or rent apartments. CSE can even intercept lottery winnings if a non-paying parent happens to win. In serious cases, driver's licenses can be suspended, making it difficult for someone to get to work. As a last resort, a parent who refuses to pay can face contempt of court charges, which can result in fines or even jail time.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Life changes, and sometimes child support orders need to change too. Maybe a parent loses their job, gets a significant raise, or the children's needs change as they get older. Perhaps the custody arrangement shifts, with children spending more time with the other parent.
Only a judge can officially change a child support order. To request a modification, you need to file either a Motion or a Petition with your local court. To succeed, you must show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was put in place. You also need to demonstrate that the modification would be in the children's best interests.
Changes in circumstances might include a significant change in either parent's income, changes in the children's medical needs, changes in childcare costs, or changes in the parenting time schedule. If both parents agree on the new amount, the process is usually simpler and might not even require a court appearance. However, if parents disagree, a judge will review the case and make the final decision.
Important Things to Remember
When dealing with child support in Missouri, keep these key points in mind. First, the Form 14 calculator provides estimates based on the information you enter. Your actual court-ordered amount might be different. The calculator assumes children will primarily live with one parent and doesn't perfectly account for true joint custody situations.
Second, child support calculations can be complex. While online calculators can give you a general idea of what to expect, they're not a substitute for professional legal advice. An experienced family law attorney can review your specific situation, make sure all income and expenses are properly accounted for, and help you understand your rights and obligations.
Third, accuracy matters. When filling out financial information for Form 14, it's crucial to be honest and thorough. Underreporting income or hiding assets can lead to legal problems down the line. Similarly, failing to include all legitimate expenses might result in a support amount that doesn't truly meet the children's needs.
Finally, remember that the ultimate goal of child support is to benefit the children. The system is designed to ensure that children have the resources they need to grow up healthy and happy, regardless of their parents' relationship status. While it's natural for parents to have concerns about fairness and their own financial situations, keeping the children's well-being as the central focus helps everyone make better decisions.
Getting Help
Navigating the child support system can feel overwhelming, especially when you're also dealing with the emotions of separation or divorce. If you need help calculating child support, modifying an existing order, or enforcing a support order, several resources are available.
You can contact the Missouri Child Support Enforcement program by calling their information line or visiting their website. They can help you apply for services and answer questions about the process.
For personalized guidance, consider consulting with a family law attorney who understands Missouri's child support laws. They can help you use Form 14 correctly, represent you in court if necessary, and work to ensure the outcome is fair and appropriate for your family's situation.