Missouri calculates child support using Form 14, the official Income Shares Model worksheet required by Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01. For parents with a combined adjusted gross income of $10,000 per month and three children, the basic child support obligation is $1,686 monthly before adjustments for health insurance and childcare. The non-custodial parent pays their proportionate share based on income percentage. Missouri updated the Form 14 Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations effective January 1, 2026, following a Supreme Court order dated March 4, 2025.
Key Facts: Missouri Child Support
| Factor | Missouri Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Method | Income Shares Model (Form 14) |
| Governing Statute | RSMo § 452.340 |
| Support Termination Age | 18 (or 21 if enrolled in college full-time) |
| Modification Threshold | 20% change triggers presumption of changed circumstances |
| Maximum Wage Garnishment | 50-60% of disposable earnings |
| Health Insurance | Added to basic support obligation |
| Parenting Time Credit | Available when parent has 36+ overnights annually |
| Filing Fee Range | $131-$230 depending on county |
How Missouri Calculates Child Support Using Form 14
Missouri determines child support amounts by combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes and referencing the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, which specifies monthly support amounts based on income levels and number of children. For a combined monthly income of $6,000 with one child, the basic obligation is approximately $1,045; for two children, approximately $1,474; and for three children, approximately $1,686. The paying parent contributes their proportionate share of this total based on their percentage of the combined income.
Under RSMo § 452.340, Missouri courts must calculate child support using the Form 14 worksheet in every case involving minor children. The Form 14 calculation establishes a rebuttable presumption that the resulting amount is correct, meaning courts will order this amount unless a party demonstrates that deviation is appropriate.
Step-by-Step Form 14 Calculation Process
The Form 14 worksheet requires both parents to provide financial information that determines each parent's share of the child support obligation:
- Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, investment income, and other recurring payments
- Apply allowable deductions such as taxes, existing child support obligations for other children, and spousal maintenance paid to others
- Determine each parent's adjusted gross income after deductions
- Combine both parents' adjusted gross incomes to find the combined adjusted gross income
- Reference the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations to find the presumed support amount based on combined income and number of children
- Add the cost of health insurance premiums for the children to the basic obligation
- Add work-related childcare costs to the total
- Calculate each parent's percentage of the combined income (parent's income divided by combined income)
- Multiply the total support obligation by the non-custodial parent's income percentage
- Apply any parenting time adjustments for the non-custodial parent's overnight visits
Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations: 2026 Dollar Amounts
The Missouri Supreme Court issued an order on March 4, 2025, establishing updated Form 14 guidelines effective January 1, 2026. The Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations provides specific monthly amounts based on combined parental income and number of children. These figures represent the basic child support before adding health insurance and childcare costs.
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $872 | $1,231 | $1,415 | $1,581 |
| $7,500 | $1,153 | $1,628 | $1,871 | $2,090 |
| $10,000 | $1,381 | $1,950 | $2,242 | $2,504 |
| $15,000 | $1,685 | $2,379 | $2,735 | $3,055 |
| $20,000 | $1,876 | $2,648 | $3,044 | $3,401 |
| $27,000 | $2,030 | $2,865 | $3,293 | $3,678 |
Note: These amounts reflect the basic child support obligation only. Courts add health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs to determine the total support obligation. Verify current amounts with the Missouri Courts Form 14 resources as of March 2026.
How Much Is Child Support in Missouri: Real-World Examples
Understanding how much is child support Missouri requires in practice depends on the specific circumstances of each case. The following examples illustrate typical calculations using the Form 14 Income Shares Model.
Example 1: Standard Custody Arrangement
Parent A earns $6,000 per month in adjusted gross income. Parent B earns $4,000 per month. Their combined income totals $10,000. For two children, the Schedule shows a basic obligation of $1,950. Parent A earns 60% of the combined income ($6,000 divided by $10,000), so Parent A pays 60% of the obligation if Parent A is the non-custodial parent, which equals $1,170 monthly. Health insurance premiums of $200 per month for the children would be added proportionally.
Example 2: Joint Physical Custody Adjustment
When parents share custody with the child spending substantially equal time with both parents, RSMo § 452.340 allows courts to apply up to a 50% adjustment below the basic child support amount. If the standard calculation would result in $1,000 monthly support, joint physical custody could reduce this to $500 depending on the specific parenting time arrangement and each parent's direct expenditures during their custody periods.
Example 3: Parenting Time Credit
Missouri provides a parenting time credit when the paying parent has 36 or more overnight visits per year with the child. For parents with 109 or more overnights annually (approximately 30% of the time), Missouri reduces the support payment to account for direct expenditures during visits, including groceries, activities, and housing costs. The Form 14 worksheet includes specific calculations for these adjustments.
Income Included in Missouri Child Support Calculations
Missouri courts include virtually all sources of income when calculating child support under the Form 14 guidelines. Both parents must disclose comprehensive financial information to ensure accurate support calculations.
Income Sources Courts Consider
Under Missouri law, gross income for child support purposes includes wages and salaries from all employment, overtime pay and bonuses, commissions and tips, self-employment income after business expenses, military pay and allowances, pension and retirement distributions, Social Security benefits (except SSI), disability payments, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation benefits, interest and dividend income, rental property income, trust distributions, and annuity payments.
Income That May Be Imputed
Missouri courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. If a parent capable of earning $5,000 per month chooses to work part-time earning $2,500, the court may calculate support based on the parent's earning capacity of $5,000 rather than actual earnings. Courts consider education level, work history, job availability, and efforts to find employment when imputing income.
Child Support for Children with Special Needs
Missouri allows deviation from Form 14 amounts when children have extraordinary medical, educational, or developmental needs. Courts recognize that children with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or special educational requirements often have expenses substantially exceeding typical child-rearing costs. The Form 14 calculation provides a baseline, but courts may order additional support to cover therapy costs, specialized equipment, medical treatments not covered by insurance, and educational interventions.
Health Insurance and Medical Cost Allocation
Missouri requires parents to provide health insurance for their children when available at a reasonable cost through employment or other group coverage. The Form 14 worksheet adds the cost of children's health insurance premiums to the basic support obligation. The parent providing coverage receives credit for premium payments, reducing their share of the cash support obligation by the premium amount.
Uninsured Medical Expenses
Uninsured medical costs exceeding $250 per child per year are allocated between parents in proportion to their income percentages. These costs include deductibles, co-payments, dental expenses, orthodontia, vision care, mental health treatment, and any medically necessary services not covered by insurance. Parents typically share these costs at the same percentage as their income shares.
When Child Support Ends in Missouri
Under RSMo § 452.340, child support in Missouri terminates when the child reaches age 18, dies, marries, enters active military duty, or becomes self-supporting through emancipation. Missouri does not automatically extend support to age 21 unless specific conditions are met.
College Support Extension to Age 21
Missouri law permits child support to continue past age 18 until age 21 when the child enrolls in an institution of vocational or higher education no later than October 1 following high school graduation. The child must complete at least 12 credit hours per semester (excluding summer) and achieve grades sufficient for re-enrollment. The child must provide transcripts to the paying parent each semester demonstrating compliance. Support terminates when the child completes education or reaches age 21, whichever occurs first.
Modifying Missouri Child Support Orders
Missouri permits modification of child support orders when circumstances change substantially and continuously. Under RSMo § 452.370, if applying current Form 14 guidelines to the parties' current financial circumstances would result in a support amount differing by 20% or more from the existing order, this creates a presumption that modification is warranted.
The 20% Rule for Modification
When a recalculated Form 14 shows at least a 20% change from the current order, the requesting parent has established prima facie evidence of changed circumstances. The court will then determine whether the change is continuing rather than temporary. Temporary changes in income, such as a brief layoff with quick re-employment, typically do not justify modification. Job loss, significant promotion, disability, or substantial changes in parenting time may warrant support modification.
Filing for Modification
Either parent may file a motion to modify child support in the circuit court that issued the original order. Missouri courts will review both parents' current Form 14 calculations and determine whether modification is appropriate. Parents should gather documentation of income changes, medical expenses, childcare costs, and any other factors affecting the support calculation before filing.
Child Support Enforcement in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) administers child support enforcement throughout the state. Missouri law provides numerous enforcement mechanisms when parents fail to pay court-ordered support.
Wage Garnishment and Income Withholding
Under RSMo § 454.505, Missouri can garnish wages without filing a collection action when support becomes delinquent by one month's obligation. Federal law under the Consumer Credit Protection Act limits garnishment to 50% of disposable earnings if the paying parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not supporting others. Employers must comply with income withholding orders and notify the Family Support Division within 10 days if the employee terminates.
Additional Enforcement Tools
Missouri employs multiple enforcement mechanisms including federal and state tax refund intercepts, lottery winning intercepts, bank account levies, property liens, passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500, driver's license suspension, professional license suspension, and contempt of court proceedings that may result in jail time. Parents with substantial arrearages may face criminal prosecution for non-support under RSMo § 568.040.
Deviating from Form 14 Guidelines
Missouri courts may deviate from Form 14 calculations when the presumed amount would be unjust or inappropriate. The court must state specific reasons for any deviation in the written judgment. Common grounds for deviation include combined parental income exceeding $30,000 per month (the upper limit of the Schedule), more than six children requiring support, a child receiving independent income not based on special needs, significant transportation costs for parenting time exchanges, and custody arrangements where standard calculations fail to provide appropriate living standards for the children.
Requesting a Deviation
Parents seeking deviation from Form 14 must present evidence demonstrating why the presumed amount is inappropriate. Courts consider the children's needs, each parent's financial resources, the children's standard of living during the marriage, and any special circumstances affecting the family. The parent requesting deviation bears the burden of proving that the standard calculation would produce an unjust result.
Filing for Child Support in Missouri
Missouri requires at least one spouse to have been a resident of the state for 90 days immediately preceding the filing of a dissolution action under RSMo § 452.305. Child support is addressed as part of any divorce, legal separation, or paternity proceeding involving minor children.
Filing Fees by County
Missouri divorce filing fees range from $131 to $230 depending on the county. Jefferson County charges $131 for divorces without children and $231 for divorces with children. St. Louis County charges $230, St. Charles County charges $225, Jackson County charges $177.50, and Cass County charges $163.50. These fees are subject to change; verify current amounts with your local circuit clerk as of March 2026.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers
Parents unable to afford filing fees may request a waiver by completing Form CC 375 (Application to Proceed Without Payment) and providing proof of income. Courts typically grant waivers when household income falls below 125% of the federal poverty line. The application requires documentation of income, expenses, and assets submitted under oath.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Child Support
How much is child support in Missouri for one child?
Missouri child support for one child depends on combined parental income. For combined monthly income of $5,000, the basic obligation is $872; for $7,500 combined, it is $1,153; for $10,000 combined, it is $1,381. The non-custodial parent pays their proportionate share based on their percentage of combined income, plus contributions toward health insurance and childcare costs.
Does Missouri use a percentage of income for child support?
Missouri uses the Income Shares Model, not a flat percentage model. Both parents' incomes are combined, then referenced against the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations to determine the total support amount. Each parent pays their proportionate share based on their percentage of combined income. For example, a parent earning 65% of combined income pays 65% of the calculated support obligation.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job?
Missouri permits modification when applying current Form 14 guidelines would change support by 20% or more from the existing order under RSMo § 452.370. Job loss creating a 20% or greater reduction in calculated support constitutes prima facie evidence of changed circumstances. Courts require the change to be continuing rather than temporary before granting modification.
How long does child support last in Missouri?
Missouri child support terminates when the child turns 18, unless the child enrolls in college full-time by October 1 following high school graduation. For college students maintaining 12 credit hours per semester with passing grades, support may continue until the child completes education or turns 21, whichever comes first. Support also ends upon the child's marriage, military enlistment, or emancipation.
What happens if the other parent does not pay child support?
Missouri enforces child support through the Family Support Division, which can garnish up to 60% of wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses and professional licenses, place liens on property, and pursue contempt of court charges. Parents with arrearages exceeding $2,500 may face passport denial. Willful non-payment can result in criminal prosecution and incarceration.
Can parents agree to no child support in Missouri?
Missouri courts must approve any child support arrangement to ensure it serves the children's best interests. While parents may agree to deviate from Form 14 amounts, courts will not approve agreements that leave children without adequate support. Both parents must complete Form 14 worksheets, and the court will review whether any agreed deviation is appropriate.
Does joint custody reduce child support in Missouri?
Joint physical custody can reduce child support by up to 50% under Missouri guidelines when children spend substantially equal time with both parents. The reduction recognizes that both parents incur direct expenses during their parenting time. Courts evaluate the actual custody schedule, each parent's direct expenditures, and the children's needs when applying joint custody adjustments.
How is overtime included in Missouri child support?
Missouri includes overtime pay in gross income calculations when overtime is consistent and expected. Courts examine whether overtime is mandatory or voluntary, historical overtime patterns, and whether overtime is likely to continue. Occasional or sporadic overtime may receive less weight than regular overtime that constitutes part of the parent's expected earnings.
What if a parent hides income to avoid child support?
Missouri courts may impute income to parents who appear voluntarily underemployed or who fail to disclose income sources. Courts examine lifestyle, assets, employment history, and earning capacity when determining whether reported income accurately reflects ability to pay. Parents may subpoena financial records, tax returns, and bank statements to uncover unreported income.
Where do I file for child support in Missouri?
Child support is filed in the circuit court of the county where either parent resides. For divorce cases, you file in the county where you or your spouse lives. The Family Support Division can also establish paternity and support orders administratively. Filing fees range from $131 to $230 depending on the county; fee waivers are available for low-income filers.
Resources and Official Forms
Missouri provides official child support resources through the Missouri Courts website at courts.mo.gov. The updated Form 14 Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet, Directions for Completion, and Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations were published December 30, 2025, with an effective date of January 1, 2026. Parents may contact the Family Support Division at 800-558-8224 for assistance with child support establishment, enforcement, and modification.