Missouri Child Support Payments
Key Takeaways
Child support in Missouri can be established through mutual agreement between you and your child’s 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.
Here, we’ll briefly discuss how the family courts in Missouri determine child support. We will also explain how to make child support payments 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 “Related FindLaw Resources” section at the end of this article or consult a Missouri child support lawyer.
How Do Missouri Courts Calculate Child Support?
The family law courts in Missouri rely on the state child support guidelines to determine your child support payments. These guidelines are straightforward and don’t offer a lot of room for negotiation. However, there are some factors that can impact your total amount of child support.
The Missouri child support guidelines consider the following things when calculating child support:
Number of children
Parenting time (number of overnights per month)
Monthly gross income
Once the court determines the presumptive amount of child support, the parents can ask the judge to increase or decrease the support amount.
Some of the things the court will take into account when finalizing the child support order include:
Special medical support orders
Healthcare and childcare expenses
Whether either parent receives public assistance or Medicaid
Whether either parent receives temporary assistance
The child’s enrollment in special classes or programs
Whether the child (or parent) has a disability
Once the court issues the child support order, you must start making payments. The court will send a copy of your child support order to the FSD. The order will have your case number on it. The FSD will also need additional information about the parents, including:
Date of birth
Social security number
Payment information
What Happens if You Don’t Make Your Child Support Payments?
The State of Missouri takes failure to pay child support seriously. There are consequences if you don’t make your payments on time. Specifically, the Missouri Family Support Division – Child Support Enforcement can take severe measures if a parent doesn’t pay their child support obligation. Some of these enforcement measures include:
Bank levies
Interception of your refund, unemployment benefits, and lottery winnings
Liens on real and personal property
Criminal contempt of court
You won’t have to worry as long as you make your payments on time. Below, we’ll discuss your payment options and accessibility to different payment methods..
Missouri Child Support Payments: An Overview
Statutory language can be dense and complex, so an overview in plain English can help you understand Missouri’s child support laws.
Statutes |
Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 452, Domestic Relations, Section 452.340 (Child Support) |
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Payment Options for the Obligor |
Payments sent to FSD may be made in several ways:
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Options for Parents Receiving Child Support |
The custodial parent may choose how to receive payments from FSD via:
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When Does Child Support End?
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Child support ends when your child:
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Child Support Obligations Beyond Age 18 |
If your child is in college, child support continues until the child completes the program or reaches age 21, whichever comes first. |
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Modifications to Child Support Orders |
Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 452, Domestic Relations, Section 452.370 (Modification of Judgment as to Maintenance or Support) Child support orders may only be modified if:
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Consequences of Failure to Pay |
The Family Support Division of the Department of Social Services may order:
Criminal prosecution is possible if the obligor fails to pay child support for six months within a 12-month period or owes more than $5,000 in back child support. |
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Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a family law attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.
Need Legal Help Regarding Child Support Payments in Missouri?
Many factors can complicate child support payments. If you have questions about your case, consult an experienced Missouri child support attorney. You can also find additional resources and information by visiting the Missouri Child Support program website at https://dss.mo.gov/child-support/.
Related FindLaw Resources
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