How Missouri Calculates Child Support: The Formula Behind the Payment

Missouri uses an income shares model — child support is based on both parents' incomes and the cost of raising the child if the family were intact. Here's the mechanics.

Core Inputs

• Gross income (both parents): Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment net, rent, dividends, interest, pensions, alimony received, SSDI, VA disability
• Excluded: TANF, SSI, SNAP, child support received, worker's comp, unemployment
• Deductions to reach Adjusted Gross Income: Existing child support paid, court-ordered maintenance paid, support for other children in home

The Schedule (Form 14)

Missouri's Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (Form 14) provides a lookup table: combined adjusted gross income × number of children = basic obligation.

Adjustments & Credits

• Health insurance premium (child's portion) — credited to paying parent
• Child care costs (work-related) — split proportionally
• Extraordinary medical/educational expenses (>5% of basic obligation)
• Parenting time credit: If noncustodial parent has ≥111 overnights/year (1 child), obligation reduced via formula

Parenting Time Assumptions (Standard)

• 1 child: 111 overnights = ~30%
• 2 children: 180 each
• 3+ children: 150 each

Deviations allowed if actual time differs significantly.

Percentage Add-Ons (Increase Obligation)

• Noncustodial parent has more than standard overnights
• Custodial parent provides ≥70% of financial support
• Noncustodial parent lacks HS diploma/GED
• Noncustodial parent has arrears

Judicial Discretion to Deviate

Court may depart from guideline amount if:

• Child's needs unmet by guideline
• Extreme income disparity
• Extraordinary expenses (special needs, private school by agreement)
• Unjust/inequitable result

Use Missouri's online Form 14 calculator (courts.mo.gov) for estimates. Final order = judge's discretion guided by Form 14.