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Missouri Child Support Laws

Missouri Child Support exists to raise the standard of living for children by enforcing their right to receive financial support from both of their parents. The child support program assists families with collecting much needed child support from parents who are not in the home.

Establishing Paternity

Establishing Paternity is for both parents. You must both sign a Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity at the hospital when the baby is born or you can establish paternity at a later date. This form is for people who are not married. The father’s name is added to the child’s birth certificate and the man becomes the legal father once the form is signed by both parents.

If the parents don’t complete an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity in the hospital. They can contact the Bureau of Vital Records or the Family Support Division. – Missouri Child Support Enforcement to get an Affidavit. Staff at these offices will help parents complete the form so the father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate and the man can become the legal father. If either the mother or the man who believes he may be the child’s father are not absolutely sure who the biological father is, a genetic test should be done. If the results of the genetic test show at least a 98 percent probability that the man is the father, then Missouri law says he is the presumed father.

A genetic test is done by collecting tissue samples from the mother, the man and the child. Tissue samples are usually collected by rubbing the cheeks inside the mouth with a swab. The samples are then sent to a laboratory for testing. If the results of the genetic test show at least a 98 percent probability that the man is the father, then Missouri law says he is the presumed father.

Who is eligible for Missouri Child Support services?

• Custodial Parents- Parents who live with the children.
• Noncustodial Parents- Parents who do not live with the children.
• Custodians-Legal guardians of the children.
• Adult Children- Persons between the ages 18–21.
• Alleged Fathers- Men whose fatherhood is in question.

Modification Information

To make sure Missouri Child Support awards are in line with changing circumstances, Child Support Enforcement conducts reviews of your child support orders every three years . If you are not receiving public assistance, Child Support Enforcement conducts reviews if requested. On a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or MO HealthNet case, Child Support Enforcement either performs a review on its own or at either parent's request. In conducting the review, Child Support Enforcement decides if a modification is appropriate by determining:

1. If a child support award figured using Missouri child support guidelines differs by 20 percent or more from the existing child support obligation.
2. If a health insurance provision needs to be added to the order. If three years have passed since the order was entered, last reviewed, or modified and either or both of the above criteria are met, Child Support Enforcement will initiate a modification of the order.

Terms you should know:

Child Support

A financial support paid by a parent to help support a child or children of whom they do not have custody. Child support can be entered into voluntarily or ordered by a court or a properly empowered administrative agency, depending on each State’s laws.

Income Withholding

Income withholding is the deduction of the current basic support, child care support, medical support, or spousal support obligation and arrears from an obligor's wages or other sources of income.

Modification

A modification is a court-approved change in terms of an order for maintenance or support because of one of the following conditions:

• Substantially increased or decreased earnings of a party
• Substantially increased or decreased need of a party or the child
• Receipt of public assistance
• A change in the cost of living for either party
• Extraordinary medical expenses of the child
• Substantial increase or decrease in work-related or education-related child care expenses
• Emancipation of the child

Medical Support

Medical support is the providing of health care coverage for a joint child by carrying health care coverage for the joint child or by contributing to the cost of health care coverage, public coverage, reimbursed medical expenses, and uninsured medical expenses of the joint child.

Enforcement tools used to collect Missouri Child Support:

• Withholding income wages, Workers’ Compensation benefits, unemployment compensation benefits, etc.
• Intercepting federal and state income tax refunds
• Ordering employers to enroll noncustodial parents’ children in health care plans
• Reporting noncustodial parents who owe past due support to credit bureaus
• Filing liens on personal and/or real property
• Intercepting lottery winnings
• Suspending licenses (drivers, recreational, professional)
• Asking the prosecuting attorney to file civil contempt or criminal non–support charges
• Working with other states to collect support when noncustodial parents live outside Missouri

Can you say YES to any of following Questions?

1. Do you have trouble making your child support payments?
2. Are you looking for a job?
3. Do you want to be more involved with your child(ren)?
4. Are you having trouble making ends meet?

If you said YES to any of the questions above Missouri Child Support has a program that can help you assume an active and positive role in your childs life called The Parents' Fair Share Program.

This unique and easy to use program is an effective way to:

• Help with education through GED and vocational programs
• learn Job search and interviewing skills
• Help in finding a job
• Find Financial help for transportation and other training needs
• Parenting education
• Mediation services
• Case management services that will help you achieve your goals
• Peer support
• Assistance in overcoming substance abuse.

The Parents' Fair Share Program is based on the idea that both parents are responsible for supporting their children. Parents' Fair Share can help you increase your ability to meet your child(ren)'s emotional and financial needs by helping you become self-sufficient.

The Parents' Fair Share Program includes assessments and referrals for educational needs, employment needs and supportive services, which are provided through a network of community resources.

To participate in Parents' Fair Share, you must:

1. Live in Missouri
2. Be unemployed or underemployed
3. Be at least 18 years old
4. Have an order to pay child support for a child that does not live with you.
5. Have a case with the Child Support Enforcement.

Customer Service

Missouri Child Support Enforcement Services
1-800-859-7999

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