How child support is calculated in Missouri

What decides the amount, where to get the real number, and the extra rules.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Missouri uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. Missouri uses the Supreme Court's Form 14 worksheet. The parents' incomes are combined, a basic amount is found in the schedule for the number of children, and each parent pays a share by income, with adjustments for items such as child care, health insurance and overnight parenting time.

Model
Income shares
Official calculator
Official Missouri child support guidelines

The official Missouri calculator

Missouri uses the Supreme Court's Form 14 worksheet. The parents' incomes are combined, a basic amount is found in the schedule for the number of children, and each parent pays a share by income, with adjustments for items such as child care, health insurance and overnight parenting time. The Form 14 amount is presumed correct unless the court finds it unjust or inappropriate. A new Form 14 and schedule took effect January 1, 2026.

Law: Rule 88.01; RSMo §452.340.8-.11; Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01; Civil Procedure Form No. 14 (order of March 4, 2025, effective January 1, 2026)

We don't estimate Missouri's amount here: its formula uses both parents' incomes and other facts, and a home-made number could mislead you. The official tool gives the real starting number:

Official Missouri child support guidelines

The Missouri guideline, step by step

Missouri uses the Supreme Court's Form 14 worksheet. The parents' incomes are combined, a basic amount is found in the schedule for the number of children, and each parent pays a share by income, with adjustments for items such as child care, health insurance and overnight parenting time. The Form 14 amount is presumed correct unless the court finds it unjust or inappropriate. A new Form 14 and schedule took effect January 1, 2026.

Law: Rule 88.01; RSMo §452.340.8-.11; Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.01; Civil Procedure Form No. 14 (order of March 4, 2025, effective January 1, 2026)

Medical support in Missouri

In every IV-D case the order must require health coverage for the child. If a private plan is available at reasonable cost through a parent's job or union, the court or FSD must order it. Health insurance costs and uninsured extraordinary medical costs (over $250 per child a year) are shared on Form 14.

Law: RSMo §454.603

Source: Form 14 lines 6c-6d

The low-income rule in Missouri

The schedule has a built-in self-support reserve (based on the 2024 federal poverty guideline) so a low-income paying parent keeps a minimum to live on. If the paying parent's income falls in the shaded area of the schedule, Form 14 is figured two ways and the lower amount is used.

Source: Form 14 directions, line 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2026

State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)

What the model means

The income-shares model looks up an amount for the parents' combined income, then splits it by each parent's share of that income. Parenting time and costs can change it.

Every state must have one set of child support guidelines, review them at least every 4 years, and use the guideline amount unless a written finding says it would be unjust.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56

In nearby states

From income to an order in Missouri

  1. Find the income numbers

    Recent pay stubs and last year's tax return are the usual starting point.

  2. Use the official tool

    Get the guideline amount from Official Missouri child support guidelines.

  3. Count health and child care

    Health insurance, child care and other costs can be added or shared as the state's rules say.

  4. Open a case

    Only a court or the agency can set the amount. Open a case with Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD), Child Support Program (866-313-9960) · Apply online

Free help in Missouri

Questions about the Missouri guidelines

How does Missouri figure child support?

Missouri uses the Supreme Court's Form 14 worksheet. The parents' incomes are combined, a basic amount is found in the schedule for the number of children, and each parent pays a share by income, with adjustments for items such as child care, health insurance and overnight parenting time. The Form 14 amount is presumed correct unless the court finds it unjust or inappropriate. A new Form 14 and schedule took effect January 1, 2026.

What if the paying parent has a low income in Missouri?

The schedule has a built-in self-support reserve (based on the 2024 federal poverty guideline) so a low-income paying parent keeps a minimum to live on. If the paying parent's income falls in the shaded area of the schedule, Form 14 is figured two ways and the lower amount is used.

How are medical costs shared in Missouri?

In every IV-D case the order must require health coverage for the child. If a private plan is available at reasonable cost through a parent's job or union, the court or FSD must order it. Health insurance costs and uninsured extraordinary medical costs (over $250 per child a year) are shared on Form 14.

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources