Missouri Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Missouri's official guidelines
About Missouri's Guidelines
Income Shares Model (Form 14)
Note: Uses gross income with specific line-by-line worksheet
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $30,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Missouri family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Missouri Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Missouri judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official Missouri court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Missouri Child Support Guidelines
Missouri uses the Missouri Form 14 (Supreme Court Rule 88.01) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
Missouri has several distinctive features in its child support system. Missouri uses "Form 14" — a specific line-by-line worksheet that courts follow step by step. The Line 11 Shared Custody adjustment applies a specific formula involving both parents' incomes and custody time. Missouri allows a "Reasonable and Necessary Overtime" deduction — regular overtime may be excluded if it's not voluntary.
Missouri bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in Missouri is $1,200/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Missouri Calculates Child Support
Missouri follows a 7-step process under the Missouri Form 14 (Supreme Court Rule 88.01):
- 1
Line 1: Determine each parent's gross monthly income
- 2
Lines 2-3: Subtract allowable deductions (other children, prior support obligations)
- 3
Line 4: Combine adjusted incomes and find the Presumed Child Support Amount
- 4
Lines 5-8: Add health insurance, work-related childcare, and other expenses
- 5
Lines 9-10: Calculate each parent's proportionate share
- 6
Line 11: Apply shared custody adjustment if applicable (128+ overnights)
- 7
Line 12: Final Presumed Child Support Amount
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Missouri
Maximum Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,200/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
128 nights/yr
35% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $250 | $362 | $432 |
| $3,000 | $452 | $658 | $798 |
| $5,000 | $660 | $967 | $1,175 |
| $8,000 | $912 | $1,345 | $1,635 |
| $12,000 | $1,185 | $1,752 | $2,132 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Missouri
Missouri recognizes "Shared Physical Custody (Line 11)" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 128 overnights per year (approximately 35% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under Missouri's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 128 overnights, Missouri generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Child Support
What is Form 14 in Missouri?
Can overtime be excluded in Missouri?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Missouri
While child support is determined by Missouri's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Missouri, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
Missouri allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in Missouri
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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