Child Support - What It Is And What It Isn't

      Child support can be a subject that creates a lot of conflict. Who pays, what amount to pay, and for how long can all be sources of dispute between parties. Knowing what child support is meant to be, and what it is not meant to be, can help parties resolve disputes faster and at a lower cost.

           What it is: Courts and the Missouri legislature have been clear that the primary purpose of child support is to provide for the child’s welfare. To determine child support, courts use a worksheet (Form 14) to determine a presumed correct amount of child support based on the parties’ monthly gross incomes. Child support does not balance out incomes between the parties, but an award of child support aims to make sure the child has money to meet their needs no matter which parent has custody of them. It is important to remember that child support is meant to support the kids.

           What it is not: Child support is not meant to punish one parent. Child support is not meant to be income for a parent. Approaching child support in these ways – or anything similar – can lead parties to have unnecessary conflict that can make court cases nastier, longer, and costlier. Don’t fall into this trap.



           Keeping the right frame of mind about child support is important. It can also avoid unnecessary battles that cost you money. If you have questions about child support and need a law firm to protect your rights in a family law case, contact Breeze Westhoff, LC.