Support in Missouri

How Missouri Calculates Child Support

Missouri uses an income shares model governed by R.S.Mo. Section 452.340 and the standardized Form 14 calculation. Form 14 is Missouri’s official child support worksheet, and it produces a presumed correct amount of support that courts must follow unless they make specific written findings that the amount is unjust or inappropriate.

The Form 14 calculation starts with each parent’s gross monthly income, which encompasses all income from any source — wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, pensions, Social Security, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, disability benefits, rental income, dividends, and other recurring income. Self-employment income is included after allowable business deductions. Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without good cause.

From gross income, Form 14 applies a series of adjustments: a credit for other court-ordered child support obligations, a credit for other children in the household, and deductions for the cost of health insurance and work-related child care. The parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined, and the basic child support amount is identified from a schedule built into the form. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined adjusted income.

For a broader explanation of income shares models, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

Custody and Parenting Time Adjustments

Form 14 includes a line 11 adjustment for custody arrangements where the non-custodial parent exercises significant parenting time. When the non-custodial parent has the child for overnight periods exceeding a specified threshold (typically more than 92 overnights per year), the court may adjust the support amount to reflect the reduced costs to the custodial parent and the increased direct spending by the non-custodial parent.

In cases of approximately equal parenting time, Missouri courts may apply the split or shared custody provisions of Form 14, which calculate separate obligations and offset them so that the parent with the higher income pays the difference.

Modifying or Terminating Child Support

Either parent may seek modification by showing a substantial and continuing change of circumstances that makes the existing order unreasonable. Missouri also allows modification when the current order differs from the presumed Form 14 amount by 20% or more.

Child support in Missouri generally continues until the child turns 18. However, support continues until age 21 if the child is enrolled in and attending a secondary school, vocational school, or college program and is making progress toward a degree, provided the child has not yet received a first bachelor’s degree. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Missouri’s Family Support Division has extensive enforcement authority:

• Income withholding orders (mandatory for most orders)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, recreational licenses, and professional licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in fines or incarceration

Arrearages accrue interest and cannot be retroactively forgiven. Modifications take effect from the date the motion to modify is filed.

Maintenance (Alimony) in Missouri

Missouri uses the term “maintenance” rather than alimony. Maintenance is governed by R.S.Mo. Section 452.335 and is available when a spouse demonstrates that they lack sufficient property to provide for their reasonable needs and are unable to support themselves through appropriate employment.

While Missouri does not have a binding statutory formula, courts frequently reference an advisory formula as a starting point:

• Amount: 30% of the payor’s gross monthly income minus 20% of the payee’s gross monthly income
• Duration: Varies based on the length of the marriage and other circumstances

This formula is a guideline, not a mandate. Courts retain discretion to deviate based on the facts of each case.

Factors in Maintenance Determinations

Under R.S.Mo. Section 452.335, the court considers:

• The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to them and their ability to meet needs independently
• The time necessary for the party seeking maintenance to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
• The comparative earning capacity of each spouse
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The obligations and assets, including the marital property apportioned to each spouse, and the separate property of each spouse
• The duration of the marriage
• The age, physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance
• The ability of the paying spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance
• The conduct of the parties during the marriage
• Any other relevant factors

Missouri courts also consider whether the paying spouse can meet both their own needs and the maintenance obligation. The advisory formula is typically adjusted downward if the total of maintenance and child support would leave the paying spouse unable to meet basic living expenses.

Modification and Termination of Maintenance

Maintenance may be modified upon a showing of a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. Common grounds include significant income changes, job loss, retirement, or a material improvement in the recipient’s financial condition.

Maintenance terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient. Missouri also provides that maintenance may be terminated or modified if the recipient is cohabiting with another person in a conjugal relationship.

Courts may designate maintenance as modifiable or non-modifiable in the original order. If the parties agree to non-modifiable maintenance as part of a settlement, neither party can later petition to change the amount or duration.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Missouri’s Form 14 calculation and the advisory maintenance formula provide useful starting points, but the final outcome depends on many case-specific factors. If you are evaluating a child support or maintenance issue, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law professional.

Statutes referenced: R.S.Mo. Section 452.340 (child support), Missouri Supreme Court Form 14, R.S.Mo. Section 452.335 (maintenance).

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Missouri?

Missouri uses a formula that considers both parents’ income, the number of children, custody arrangements, and expenses like healthcare and childcare. The court applies state guidelines to determine the base amount, though deviations are possible in certain circumstances.

Can child support be modified in Missouri?

Yes. Either parent can request a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, a change in custody arrangements, or increased expenses for the child. The court must approve any modification to an existing order.

How long does child support last in Missouri?

In most cases, child support in Missouri continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Some states extend support through college or for children with special needs. Check Missouri’s specific rules for exceptions.

What happens if a parent does not pay child support in Missouri?

Missouri has enforcement mechanisms including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt of court proceedings. The receiving parent can work with Missouri’s child support enforcement agency to collect unpaid support.

Does Missouri award alimony in divorce cases?

Missouri courts may award alimony (also called spousal support or maintenance) based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, and the standard of living during the marriage. Alimony is not automatic and depends on the specific circumstances of the case.