{"id":374456,"date":"2025-05-04T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-support-payments0.html"},"modified":"2025-05-04T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T04:00:00","slug":"missouri-child-support-payments0","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-child-support-payments0.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Child Support Payments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri Child Support Payments<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Child support in Missouri can be established through mutual agreement between you and your child\u2019s other parent or a court child support order, primarily requiring the non-custodial parent to make monthly child support payments. Courts calculate support using guidelines that consider factors such as the number of children, parenting time, and parental income. Payments are enforced by the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division (FSD), which can impose penalties like wage garnishment for non-payment. Child support typically ends at age 18 but can continue if the child is in college until age 21.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Here, we\u2019ll briefly discuss how the family courts in Missouri determine child support. We will also explain how to make child support payments<\/a> and what happens if you fail to comply with your child support order. If you still have questions about your child support case, refer to the \u201cRelated FindLaw Resources\u201d section at the end of this article or consult a Missouri child support lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

How Do Missouri Courts Calculate Child Support?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The family law courts in Missouri rely on the state child support guidelines<\/a> to determine your child support payments. These guidelines are straightforward and don\u2019t offer a lot of room for negotiation. However, there are some factors that can impact your total amount of child support.<\/p>\r\n

The Missouri child support guidelines consider the following things when calculating child support<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n