Experienced St. Charles County Child Support Lawyers
At Suddarth & Koor, LLC, our extensive experience in divorce law includes knowledgeable guidance on child support matters. We serve clients in O’Fallon, St. Charles County and the surrounding counties of Missouri.
If you have questions about child support as part of a divorce or another family law case, talk to an experienced child support attorney at our law firm today. Call us at 636-260-0132 or message us to set up a free consultation.
How Is Child Support Calculated In Missouri?
In Missouri, the state calculates child support based on statutory guidelines. This is meant to ensure fairness and adequacy in supporting children’s needs. The process involves using the Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet, commonly referred to as Form 14. This form determines the financial responsibilities of each parent based on several key factors:
- Income of both parents: This includes wages, salaries, bonuses and most other sources of income. Each parent’s total gross income is considered to determine their financial capability.
- Child care costs: The form factors in expenses related to child care, which enable a parent to work or attend school.
- Health care expenses: This includes medical insurance premiums for the child, along with any ongoing medical costs not covered by insurance.
- Custodial arrangements: The amount of time the child spends with each parent can affect the calculation. Typically, the noncustodial parent pays support to the custodial parent.
- Additional expenses: This may include educational expenses, travel costs related to visitation and other special needs of the child.
Through the formula on Form 14, we compute these inputs to get a suggested monthly support amount. However, filling out Form 14 sometimes involves complex questions and mathematical calculations that can be challenging without proper guidance.
Our child support attorneys at Suddarth & Koor, LLC have extensive experience with these calculations. They can help ensure all relevant financial information is accurately presented and advocate for a support order that reflects your true needs and financial capacity.
Whether you are establishing a new child support order or working with an existing one, Suddarth & Koor, LLC is here to provide quality help every step of the way.
What If You Need To Change Your Child Support Later?
Changes to a child support agreement are possible after a substantial and ongoing change in circumstances. Examples include significant changes in either parent’s income, employment status, or living arrangements.
If three years have passed since the last modification, you may request a review of these circumstances to determine if it is appropriate to recalculate your child support amount. Our child support lawyers can guide you through the modification process.
What If Your Ex Does Not Pay?
Missouri enforces child support through income withholding orders to prevent missed payments. If the paying parent nevertheless fails to pay, an enforcement action may be necessary.
While the Family Support Division (FSD) handles enforcement, they do not directly represent the interests of the receiving parent. Our child support attorneys can represent your interests and work with the FSD to ensure compliance with your child support order.
How Suddarth & Koor, LLC Can Help
With nearly 40 years of combined legal experience, Andrew Koor and Allen Koor understand the nuances of Missouri child support cases. Whether it is establishing a fair initial child support order, modifying an existing order or enforcing an order, our child support attorneys are here to support your family’s needs.
Contact Us Now For A Free Consultation
If you are dealing with child support issues or need reliable legal advice, contact Suddarth & Koor, LLC today. Our dedicated child support attorneys are ready to help you secure a stable financial future for your children. Call us at 636-260-0132 or send us a message to arrange your free consultation.