How Missouri Calculates Child Support
Missouri uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.
Model Type
Income Shares
Income-shares model based on combined adjusted gross income and number of children using Form 14 worksheet; each parent's obligation prorated by income share; adjusted for custody arrangement and add-ons (childcare, health insurance, extraordinary expenses).
Income Basis & Definitions
gross
Selects the base-support amount from the Form 14 schedule.
Source: Form 14: Schedule of basic child support obligationsParent A adjusted gross income per Form 14 instructions.
Source: Form 14 Line 1: Gross incomeParent B adjusted gross income per Form 14 instructions.
Source: Form 14 Line 1: Gross incomeParenting Time Handling
Calculator applies custody adjustment per Form 14.
Source: Form 14 Line 11: Custody/visitation adjustmentNumber of overnights per year for parenting time adjustment.
Source: Form 14: Parenting time adjustmentDeductions & Adjustments
Prior-born child adjustment on Form 14.
Source: Form 14: Other children adjustmentSpousal support paid adjusts gross income.
Source: Form 14: Maintenance adjustmentAdd-Ons & Allocation
Work-related childcare added on Form 14.
Source: Form 14 Line 6: Childcare costsHealth insurance premium and extraordinary uninsured medical allocation.
Source: Form 14 Lines 7-8: Health insurance and medicalCaps, Minimums & Deviations
Schedule caps at combined income; above-cap at discretion.
Source: Maximum schedule incomeRebuttal allowed per Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.340.8 and Rule 88.01.
Source: § 452.340.8: Rebuttal/deviation criteria