Missouri Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Missouri Child Support Calculator?

The Missouri Child Support Calculator is a web-based tool that estimates monthly child support payments. It follows the Missouri Form 14 Child Support Guidelines, which courts use to calculate support based on:

• Each parent’s gross monthly income
• The number of children
• Parenting time (overnights)
• Health insurance and child care costs

This calculator gives you a realistic estimate of what a Missouri judge might decide — but remember, it’s only an estimate. Final child support orders can vary based on additional factors or unique family situations.

How the Calculator Works (In Simple Terms)

The Missouri calculator uses a structured formula based on income, shared parenting time, and child-related expenses. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Gross Income

You start by entering each parent’s monthly gross income — that means income before taxes and deductions.

Example:

• Parent A earns $4,000/month
• Parent B earns $2,500/month
  Combined gross income = $6,500/month

This total determines the basic child support obligation from the state’s official schedule.

2. Number of Children

You then select the number of children the parents share. Missouri’s guideline table increases support as the number of children rises — naturally, more children mean higher expenses.

3. Parenting Time (Overnights)

The number of overnights per year spent with the non-custodial parent affects the amount owed. Missouri law provides parenting time credits that reduce child support if the non-custodial parent spends significant time with the children.

So if both parents share time more evenly, support payments go down.

4. Expenses (Health & Child Care)

The calculator also includes:

• Health insurance premiums for the children
• Work-related child care costs

These amounts are added to the total support obligation and shared proportionally between both parents based on income.

Example Calculation

Let’s say:

• Parent A earns $4,000/month
• Parent B earns $2,500/month
• They have 2 children
• Parent A (non-custodial) has 80 overnights per year
• Health insurance costs $100/month
• Child care costs $200/month

Step 1: Combined income = $6,500
Step 2: Based on Missouri’s schedule, basic support ≈ $776 for two children
Step 3: Add expenses → $776 + $100 + $200 = $1,076 total obligation
Step 4: Parent A’s share (based on income ratio) ≈ 38% = $409
Step 5: Apply parenting time credit (20%) = $82
Final estimated payment: $409 – $82 = $327/month

This estimate gives parents a realistic preview of what might be ordered by a court.

Why This Calculator Matters

Using the Missouri Child Support Calculator offers several key benefits:

• Transparency: It helps both parents understand how numbers are calculated.
• Fairness: It’s based on Missouri’s legal guidelines — not guesswork.
• Preparation: You can discuss support expectations calmly before legal action.
• Accessibility: It’s free, instant, and doesn’t require legal knowledge.

For parents working through separation or custody changes, knowing the likely support amount helps reduce stress and surprises later on.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only.
It’s based on Missouri Form 14 guidelines, but the final child support order is always up to the court’s discretion. Judges can adjust payments depending on special circumstances — like medical needs, extraordinary expenses, or parental agreements.

If you’re unsure about your situation, it’s always best to consult a Missouri family law attorney.

How to Use the Calculator

Using the Missouri Child Support Calculator is simple:

1. Enter each parent’s monthly income
2. Choose the number of children
3. Enter overnights, health insurance, and child care costs
4. Click Calculate
5. See your estimated monthly payment instantly

You can reset anytime to start over or adjust the numbers.