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Browse our 1 legal question about Child Support in United States and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Child support is a legal obligation in Missouri that ensures children receive necessary financial support from both parents, even if the parents do not live together. In Missouri, child support is designed to cover the basic needs of a child, including housing, food, clothing, health care, and educational expenses. The state uses a specific formula and guidelines to calculate the amount of child support one parent may be required to pay the other, prioritizing the well-being of the child and their right to support from both parents.
Many people find navigating the child support system complex and overwhelming. Some common situations where legal help is recommended include:
Having an attorney can help ensure your rights and your child’s best interests are protected throughout the child support process.
Missouri has specific statutes and guidelines governing child support, primarily found in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 452. Key aspects of Missouri’s child support laws include:
The calculation is based on both parents’ gross income and other factors using Form 14, which considers healthcare, childcare, and other costs. The resulting amount is what the non-custodial parent is usually ordered to pay.
Yes, child support does not automatically stop if you lose your job. You must request a modification from the court to adjust the payment amount due to significant changes in circumstances.
Yes, either parent can request a modification if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, such as a change in income, job status, or custody arrangements.
The state can enforce payment through wage garnishment, seizing tax refunds, suspending driver's or professional licenses, and potentially holding you in contempt of court, which may lead to jail time.
Generally, child support ends when the child turns 18, but it may continue until age 21 if the child is enrolled in college or meets certain educational criteria. Exceptions apply if the child is emancipated or has special needs.
The Missouri Family Support Division is responsible for enforcing child support orders and has various tools for ensuring payments are made.
Yes, both married and unmarried parents can seek child support. However, paternity must be legally established if parents were not married.
Usually, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent to cover the child’s needs. However, both parents’ incomes are considered in determining the appropriate amount.
Courts can order child support beginning from the date the petition was filed, but generally do not grant support for periods before legal action was taken.
Missouri can enforce child support across state lines through federal and interstate agreements. Contact the Family Support Division for help collecting payments from parents living in another state.
If you need more information or assistance with your child support situation in Missouri, consider reaching out to the following resources:
If you are seeking legal advice or need help with a child support matter in Missouri, consider the following steps:
Taking prompt and informed action is key to ensuring your rights and your child’s interests are protected throughout the child support process in Missouri.
