Understanding Missouri Child Support

buisnessBy Jordan Rapoff

Cordell & Cordell Missouri Divorce Lawyer

In Missouri, in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or child support, the court may order either or both parents to pay an amount reasonable or necessary for the support of the child.

In calculating Missouri child support, the court will take into consideration several relevant factors.

Missouri Child Support Factors

1) The financial needs and resources of the child;

2) The financial resources and needs of the parents;

3) The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved;

4) The physical and emotional condition of the child, and the child’s educational needs;

5) The child’s physical and legal custody arrangements, including the amount of time the child spends with each parent and the reasonable expenses associated with the custody or visitation arrangements; and

6) The reasonable work-related childcare expenses of each parent.

Abatement of Child Support

If the parent receiving support relinquishes physical custody to the parent paying support for a period of time in excess of 30 consecutive days, then the obligation of the parent paying support shall abate in whole or in part for that time period.

However, this does not apply for any periods of visitation, temporary physical or legal custody, or physical or legal custody pursuant to a judgment of dissolution, legal separation, or modification.

Termination of Child Support in Missouri

Unless the circumstances of the child dictate otherwise, the obligation of a parent to make child support payments terminates when the child:

1) Dies;

2) Marries;

3) Enters active duty in the military;

4) Becomes self-supporting;

5) Reaches age 18, unless circumstances dictate otherwise; or

6) Reaches age 21, unless the child support order extends support past the child’s 21st birthday.

Missouri Divorce Lawyer

The importance of having a Missouri divorce lawyer cannot be emphasized enough, especially if handling confusing child support calculations. The procedures in the family division of the circuit court may seem simple and children-oriented, but they are complicated. The mistakes made can have lasting, non-modifiable consequences.

To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights for men with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Missouri Divorce Lawyer Jordan A. Rapoff, contact Cordell & Cordell.