Simple Child Support Calculator
To calculate child support in Missouri, we recommend using the Missouri Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form 14). There appears to be no simpler way to estimate support payments.
The Missouri Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form 14) steps you through a complex calculation. You may need to work through each part carefully to get an accurate assessment. Unfortunately, the Missouri scheme is complex and a simple, reliable calculator does not appear to be available.
Overnights Calculator for Missouri
According to Missouri child support guidelines, payment amounts depend on how many overnight stays a child has with each parent annually.
Use this overnights calculator to work out how many nights of care you provide.
Calculate annual overnight stays
Regular nights
Vacation nights each year*
183 overnight stays per year.
50.0% of parenting time.
* Vacation nights are all nights when the regular schedule does not apply.
How Child Support is Calculated in Missouri
Child support payments in Missouri are calculated using the income shares method. Payments depend on the combined incomes of the parents as well as the number of children. A larger combined income or more children usually means greater payments.
The amount paid or received by an individual parent also depends on income and parenting time percentages.
- If your income percentage (your share of combined income) is higher than your care percentage (share of parenting time), you are probably the payer.
- The receiver is normally the parent with a care percentage above their income percentage.
Missourians paying the most child support have high incomes and rarely look after their children. On the flipside, the biggest receivers are parents who (a) work little (b) have their kids nearly all the time and (c) have a high earner as the other parent.
Your parenting plan and visitation arrangements may affect child support calculations. If a child has a certain percentage of overnight visits at the non-custodial parent’s home each year, the non-custodial parent could receive credit to lessen his or her child support payments.
The first step in calculating child support is to determine the gross and adjusted monthly income for each parent. Once gross income is calculated, adjustments are made for any other child support obligations and alimony payments. The adjusted income is then divided by both parents’ combined incomes to determine each parent’s proportionate share of the child’s expenses.
Johnson Law Firm
Missourian child support guidelines apply to the whole state, including the cities of Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, Independence and Lee's Summit. Variations in support payments may be made by the agreement of parents or at the discretion of a judge presiding over your case.
Payment Calculators by State