Parents often incorrectly assume that child support is calculated based solely on wages earned from a job. Missouri law, however, defines income broadly and may include various sources when determining a parent’s obligation to pay child support. A Kansas City child support lawyer from Stange Law Firm, PC, can help you in this legal process. Understanding what counts as income and what doesn’t is essential to protecting your assets and ensuring a fair calculation.
How Missouri Determines Child Support
Missouri sees its fair share of child support cases each year. The Missouri Department of Social Services saw the following caseloads in 2025:
- 278,221 child support cases in September
- 278,953 child support cases in August
- 279,359 child support cases in July
Child support in Missouri is calculated using Form 14, which is a mathematical formula that takes into account both parents’ gross income, the cost of child care, and any other extraordinary expenses for the children. All child support cases begin by assessing each parent’s total income, which can come from any source and isn’t limited to just wages earned from employment.
Family courts in Kansas City, including the Jackson County Family Court, will consider income that is regular, reliable, and available when making child support determinations, looking at the overall financial picture for each parent.
Income From Employment Is a Common Source of Child Support Payments
Income earned through employment is the most common source of child support payments. This includes wages, salary, hourly pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and tips. If a parent receives overtime or bonus pay regularly, the court may include this income, even if it varies from month to month.
It is a common misconception that irregular or unpredictable income will be excluded from the child support calculation. In reality, Missouri family courts often look at average earnings over time and impute income to arrive at a fair support payment amount. Disguising, hiding, or minimizing employment income in a child support case can result in loss of credibility and judicially imposed calculations.
Self-Employment Income
Income earned from self-employment or a business is more complicated than a W-2 job. The courts are not limited to considering only what a self-employed parent pays themselves. They will look closely at the parents’ financial situation, including business profits, retained earnings, and personal expenses paid by the business.
In Kansas City child support cases, judges will often order discovery, including tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, and business bank records to ascertain a self-employed parent’s income.
In some cases, parents have tried to reduce their apparent income through writing off personal expenses, diverting income to other people or entities, or using other creative bookkeeping. In Kansas City and elsewhere in Missouri, this practice will often result in the imputation of income to that parent.
Rental Income
Income from rental properties, dividends, interest, and other investments is generally considered income for child support purposes. Even if this income is not produced through active work, Missouri law considers it a financial resource that is available to the parent to support a child.
Expenses that are reasonable and necessary to produce this income may be considered by the court, such as maintenance costs for rental properties or management fees. However, net rental or investment income is almost always included in the child support calculation.
Retirement Income
Retirement benefits, pensions, and annuities may also count as income for child support purposes, once they are actually being received. This includes distributions from retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans, pension plans, or annuities.
Courts generally draw a distinction between dividing retirement assets in a divorce and using retirement income to calculate child support. Once funds are distributed, they become available income for purposes of calculating child support.
About Stange Law Firm, PC
Getting divorced or going through a family law matter can be emotional. You might feel lost, betrayed, or overwhelmed. An attorney who relates to you and focuses on family law and divorce can make things easier. Since we opened in 2007, Stange Law Firm, PC, has focused exclusively on family law and divorce.
FAQs
Q: Does Overtime or Bonus Pay Count Toward Child Support Payments?
A: Yes. If overtime or bonuses have been earned on an ongoing basis, they can be included. Missouri judges usually average this income when it fluctuates. The judge can even impute income based on past overtime or bonuses if they are not guaranteed but have been received on a consistent basis.
Q: Are Unemployment Benefits Considered Income for Child Support Payments?
A: Yes. Unemployment is usually considered income for the purposes of child support in Missouri. If a parent is receiving unemployment compensation, that benefit will likely be included in the calculation for support. The court will also consider whether the parent is making efforts to find employment for purposes of ongoing support.
Q: What Happens if My Income Changes After Child Support Is Determined?
A: If a parent’s income changes substantially, they can ask the court to modify child support. Missouri law requires a showing of a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. The current support order remains in effect until the court approves a modification. A child support lawyer can help you request a modification, if necessary.
Q: When Can I Request a Child Support Modification?
A: You may request a child support modification if you experience a significant change or if your child’s other parent experiences a significant life change. This can include remarriage, losing your job, a career change that results in a significant income change, or a drastic change in the needs of a parent or child, such as sudden medical necessities. However, until the modification is approved, both parties must adhere to the existing order.
Contact Stange Law Firm, PC, Today
Child support payments are legally enforceable, so they should be fair for everyone involved. If you are in the process of solidifying a child support order or if you need a modification, Stange Law Firm, PC, can help you do so. Contact us today for a consultation.