Form 14 Missouri Child Support Guidelines Update 2026

If you’re facing divorce and child support is an issue, it’s critical to be aware of a recent change in how child support calculations are approached. Effective as of January 1, 2026, courts in Missouri will be using a new child support calculation worksheet, referred to as “Form 14.” Although Form 14 is not a new law, the updated worksheet can potentially yield different results than the calculation that would have been reached prior to the change. Whether you are paying or receiving child support, it’s essential to understand how Form 14 in Missouri works and how it may impact your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Effective as of January 1, 2026, Missouri courts must use a new child support calculation worksheet, Form 14 in all divorce, child support, and paternity proceedings.
• Although Form 14 does not change the law, the updated worksheet may result in a different baseline child support amount than the prior calculation method.
• The updated Form 14 considers a wide range of factors, including gross income of both parents, overnight visitation, healthcare costs, work-related childcare costs, and additional child-rearing expenses when calculating support.

What’s Changing About Child Support in Missouri?

Form 14 in Missouri alters how child support payments are calculated. By refining the factors considered, Form 14 is meant to provide a more accurate result when it comes to each parent’s child support obligations. The new child support worksheet considers a wide range of factors in reaching a child support amount. While many of these factors are the same core factors that would be applied previously, Form 14 can potentially result in a different baseline calculation and affect how existing child support orders are reviewed or modified.

The factors applied in calculating child support pursuant to Form 14 in Missouri include the following:

• Gross income: The gross income of each parent is considered when determining child support calculations. This includes earned and unearned income from all sources, such as wages, salaries, overtime, commissions, bonuses, tips, dividends, interest, trust income, severance pay, self-employment earnings, unemployment, pensions, and employment-related benefits. In the event a parent is underemployed or intentionally unemployed, a court may impute income based on their earning capacity.
• Overnight visitation: Adjustments are made to the child support calculation based on the number of overnights a parent has with the child.
• Healthcare costs: Health insurance costs paid by either parent are covered in the child support calculations. Uninsured extraordinary medical costs, as well as reasonable and necessary medical and dental costs are also factored in accordingly.
• Work-related childcare costs: Reasonable work-related childcare costs incurred by both the parent entitled to receive support and the parent obligated to pay are factored into the calculation of the presumed child support amount.
• Additional child-rearing expenses: While child support covers the basic necessities of the child, additional child-rearing expenses, such as those related to extracurricular activities or education are added to the support calculation and shared proportionally between the parents.
• Other child support orders: The child support calculations consider other dependents to ensure a fair allocation of financial resources among all children subject to support orders.

Importantly, the use of Form 14 in Missouri is mandatory in any divorce, child support action, or paternity proceeding. This is because it calculates the presumed amount, which a judge is required to consider, even if they decide to deviate from the Missouri child support guidelines because the calculated amount would be deemed unjust.

What Has Not Changed About Child Support?

Although there is a new worksheet in place, the laws regarding child support in Missouri remain the same. Both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their child until they reach the age of majority (with few exceptions), regardless of marital status. Notably, a parent’s remarriage does not change a child support order, and the new spouse’s income is generally not considered in determining the calculated amount.

In addition, the modification standards under the Missouri child support guidelines have not changed. To alter a child support order, the parent seeking the request will still be required to prove a “substantial and continuing change in circumstances.” Parents may also request a review of the current order every three years, regardless of whether a change occurs.

The methods for enforcing a child support order also remain the same, including wage withholding, license suspension, tax refund interception, and lien placement. If the parent obligated to pay child support willfully fails to do so, they may be held in contempt of court and subject to monetary fines. In severe cases where a parent fails to pay for 6 months within a 12-month period or owes over $5,000 in support, criminal charges may be brought.

Contact an Experienced Missouri Divorce and Family Law Attorney

If you have questions about how Form 14 in Missouri will impact child support in your divorce case, it’s best to consult with a knowledgeable family law attorney who can advise you based on your specific situation. Divorce and family law attorney Mark A. Wortman is committed to providing high-quality legal services and trusted representation for clients facing divorce and family law matters in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area.

If you are going through divorce, schedule a confidential consultation to learn how attorney Mark A. Wortman can help. You can contact Mark online or by calling (816) 523-6100.