Section 8.4 Child Support

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

IV. (§8.4) Child Support

Section 452.310.8(3), RSMo Supp. 2011, states in pertinent part that the parenting plan shall spell out how “the expenses of the child, including child care, educational and extraordinary expenses as defined in the child support guidelines established by the supreme court, will be paid.” The major focus of this area is child support. Section 452.340, RSMo Supp. 2011, and Form 14, Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet, currently allow for a number of different child support options that the parties may use to reach an appropriate child support amount that will be approved by the court. The parties cannot bind the court to any agreement for a child support amount, but as a practical matter, any agreement by the parties will likely be approved by the court and incorporated into the parenting plan and judgment. The parties should make sure that the amount of child support listed in the parenting plan is the same as that entered in the trial court’s formal judgment or risk the possibility that the judgment may not be final and could be remanded by the appellate court for clarification. See Holsman v. Holsman, 49 S.W.3d 795 (Mo. App. W.D. 2001).

Careful consideration should be given to including a set date each month that child support is due to be paid. In the...