Missouri Child Support Calculator

Estimate Missouri child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Mo. Sup. Ct. Rule 88.01 / Form 14. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Missouri follows the Income Shares model under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01 (Form 14). The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Missouri uses a shared-care formula, so the time the children spend with each parent can change the final number. Form 14 includes a line that adjusts the support obligation for overnight visitation and custody, recognizing that the parent who has the children overnight also covers direct costs during that time. More overnights with the paying parent generally reduces the calculated amount, while the basic obligation still starts from both parents' combined gross income. The on-page calculator gives an estimate only, and the actual Form 14 figure controls.

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is built into the Form 14 calculation in Missouri. The premium that covers the children is treated as an adjustment, and the parent who pays it usually gets credit so the expense is shared in proportion to each parent's percentage of the combined income. This keeps medical coverage from falling entirely on one parent. Enter the actual monthly premium for the children's portion when you use the estimator, and confirm the exact treatment on the official worksheet or with a licensed attorney.

Work-related child care and daycare costs are factored into Missouri's Form 14. Reasonable child care expenses that a parent pays so they can work or look for work are added to the basic obligation and then split between the parents according to each parent's share of the combined gross income. Keep records and receipts for daycare, before- and after-school care, and similar costs, because the court works from real, documented figures. The calculator on this page is an estimate, so the official worksheet decides the controlling number.

The Form 14 amount is presumed correct in Missouri, but a judge can deviate when applying the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01, the court must make a written or specific finding to rebut the presumed amount before ordering a different figure. The parent asking for a deviation carries the burden of showing why the guideline result is unfair. Examples can include unusual expenses or other relevant circumstances. The estimator here cannot predict a deviation, so treat its output as an estimate, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Missouri?

Missouri uses the Income Shares model under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01, applied through Form 14. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and number of children, then prorates that obligation between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Form 14 then adjusts for items like health insurance, child care, and overnight custody. The Missouri Family Support Division and the courts rely on this worksheet. The calculator on this page is an estimate only, and the completed Form 14 controls.

What is the official Missouri child support worksheet?

The controlling form in Missouri is Form 14, issued under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01. It is the worksheet the court actually uses to set the presumed correct amount of child support, and it is available through the Missouri courts website at courts.mo.gov. Every line, from combined gross income to the credits for health insurance, child care, and overnights, feeds into the final number. Any online tool, including this page's estimator, only approximates Form 14. For a binding figure, complete the official Form 14 or have a licensed Missouri attorney prepare it, because the form, not the estimate, controls the order.

How does income get counted for Missouri child support?

Missouri starts from gross income from any source, meaning income before taxes and most deductions. That includes wages, salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and other earnings. For a parent who is self-employed or owns a business, income is figured net of reasonable and necessary business expenses, so it is not simply total receipts. Both parents' monthly gross incomes are entered on Form 14 and combined to find the basic obligation on the guideline schedule. Because the definition is broad, gather pay stubs, tax returns, and profit-and-loss records. The estimator here is only an approximation, and the official Form 14 governs the result.

What happens if a parent is unemployed or underemployed in Missouri?

If a Missouri parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income, meaning it assigns an earning figure based on what that parent could reasonably make rather than what they actually report. This prevents a parent from lowering support by choosing not to work or taking a low-paying job in bad faith. The court looks at work history, education, training, and local job opportunities. The imputed amount then goes into the combined gross income on Form 14. Because imputation is fact-specific, this page's calculator cannot predict it. Treat the output as an estimate and confirm with the official worksheet or an attorney.

How does 50/50 or shared parenting time affect support in Missouri?

Missouri uses a shared-care formula, so parenting time directly affects the number through the overnight adjustment line on Form 14. Even in a near-equal or 50/50 arrangement, support is not automatically zero, because the calculation still begins with each parent's share of the combined gross income. The parent with the higher income often still pays something to balance the children's standard of living across both homes. More overnights with the paying parent generally lowers the calculated amount. Enter the actual overnight count to estimate the effect, and remember the completed Form 14 controls the final, binding figure.

How is child support enforced in Missouri?

The Missouri Family Support Division, part of the Department of Social Services, enforces support orders. Its tools include immediate income withholding from wages, intercepting state and federal tax refunds, suspending driver's and professional licenses, filing liens, reporting past-due support to credit bureaus, and referring nonpayment for contempt. Because federal law and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act apply, a Missouri order can also be enforced when a parent moves out of state. If you are owed support or are behind, contact the Family Support Division at dss.mo.gov/cse. This page provides estimates, not legal advice, on any specific enforcement case.

When does child support end in Missouri, and when can an order be changed?

In Missouri, child support generally ends when the child turns 18, but it can extend up to age 21 if the child is enrolled in higher education and meets the academic and notification requirements of Mo. Rev. Stat. section 452.340. To change an existing order, you can file a motion to modify in circuit court or request a review through the Family Support Division. Missouri supports modification when there is a 20 percent variance between the current order and a new Form 14 calculation, or any substantial and continuing change in circumstances. This page is an estimate only, and the official worksheet or an attorney controls.