Child support laws vary by state, but they have a united purpose to assure that a child is cared for throughout their life with the assistance of both their parents. If you’re under the jurisdiction of family law in Missouri, here’s what you need to know about these required payments. 

Common Questions Missouri Parents Have About Child Support 

How is it determined?

Missouri has a form that you can fill in to calculate the cost of child support. Factors include both parents’ incomes, support costs (financial obligations of supporting a child), alimony paid or received, percent of custody, and other additional expenses involved with raising a child. 

Parent’s incomes refer to their gross earnings, which incorporate more than just a base salary:

• Wages
• Tips 
• Commissions
• Pensions
• Retirement plans
• Social security benefits
• Unemployment compensation
• Alimony from a previous marriage
• Veteran’s benefits
• Capital gains on investments
• Lottery winnings
• Disability/worker’s compensation

As a result, a parent can’t avoid paying child support by refusing to work or working very little. If they willingly do so to curb their responsibility, a family law court can impute income, or estimate an amount that they should be making based on employment history, education, and training. It is important to note that this strategy aims to hold parents accountable, not punish those who can’t work. 

The support costs listed on the form cover reasonable child care costs, health insurance, and medical care. The form can also include extraordinary expenses, like money for a private school or an extracurricular activity. Once filled out, the document will outline an estimated cost for child support, but a family law court can increase or decrease this number if maintaining the guidelines results in an unfair amount for the specific situation.

What if I lose my job?

When your financial situation changes, you may have the option to modify your child support. If you have an understanding ex, and you can agree on an appropriate modification, the agreement should be in writing and signed by a judge to take effect. In other circumstances, you will issue a child support modification request to the court that handled custody initially and to your ex-spouse. While child support modifications can be permanent, in the case of job loss, if approved, this adjustment is likely temporary. 

Job loss is sometimes not enough for a modification to get approved by a family law court. The reasoning harkens back to the many sources of income that factor into child support calculations, which can include severance pay as well. While you’re waiting for approval, it is essential to keep up with your existing child support payments to show the court that you are sincere in your request and not trying to dodge your obligations. 

What if my ex is late or doesn’t pay?

The Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984 allows district attorneys to help you collect child support from your ex. They will serve papers to your child’s other parent ordering them to pay. If they do not, there are a few courses the D.A. can take, including taking their federal tax refunds to pay child support, garnishing wages, seizing property, suspending an occupational, driver’s, or business license, denying issuance of a passport, or any combination of these penalties. 

If the parent still refuses to pay, they are in contempt of court and will face jail time—a last resort since the goal is to get child support, not have them unable to make money to do so. With difficult exes, the National Child Support Enforcement Association is an excellent resource for finding an agency in your area that will advocate for your due child support.

When am I no longer responsible for paying it?

Typically, a non-custodial parent must pay child support until their kid is 18, but a few factors can change the support period. Payments may continue to 21 if their child is still in school, and children with physical or mental handicaps can receive support as long as necessary. If, however, a child joins the military, marries, or becomes self-supporting in any sense before their 18th birthday, the parent is no longer responsible for paying child support. 

If you’re struggling on either side of the child support relationship, a family law attorney can help you find a way to provide for your child with the means available. Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, P.C., believes that everyone deserves excellent legal counsel and will represent you with complete attention to your case. Their attorneys have more than 75 years of combined experience to assure that your legal needs are in the right hands. For more information about their full range of legal services, visit this Lake St. Louis, MO, firm online, or call (636) 561-5599 to schedule an appointment.