How to Fill Out Form 14 Missouri Child Support

What Form 14 Actually Does

Missouri doesn't leave child support up to negotiation. The state uses a specific mathematical worksheet — Form 14 — to calculate the presumed correct amount of child support. Both parents fill it out using real income data, and the number it produces is what the court expects to see in your final decree.

The calculated amount carries a legal presumption: the judge must order it unless there's a written finding explaining why a different amount is appropriate. Judges can deviate, but they rarely do without a compelling reason. Getting the math right on Form 14 is one of the most consequential things you'll do in a Missouri divorce with children.

The Income Lines

Form 14 starts with each parent's gross monthly income from all sources. This is broader than your paycheck:

• Wages and salary (before taxes and deductions)
• Self-employment income (gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses)
• Bonuses, commissions, overtime (averaged over a reasonable period — usually 12 months)
• Social Security benefits, disability payments, workers' compensation
• Rental income, interest, dividends
• Pension and retirement distributions
• Unemployment benefits

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income — assigning earning capacity based on education, work history, and local job market conditions. This prevents a parent from quitting their job to reduce their support obligation.

You'll need your last two pay stubs and your most recent federal tax return as backup documentation. The court requires these attachments alongside the completed Form 14.

Adjustments That Affect the Calculation

After establishing gross income, Form 14 applies several adjustments before calculating the support obligation:

• Other child support or maintenance paid. If either parent pays court-ordered support from a prior case, that amount reduces their available income.
• Health insurance premiums for the children. The cost of adding the children to a parent's employer-sponsored health plan is credited.
• Childcare costs. Work-related daycare, after-school care, and summer program costs are factored in.
• Extraordinary expenses. Ongoing medical, educational, or therapeutic costs for the children that exceed normal expectations.

Each adjustment has its own line on the worksheet, and every entry needs documentation. Don't estimate — use actual premium statements, daycare invoices, and prior court orders.

How the Custody Schedule Affects Support

The physical custody arrangement directly influences the Form 14 calculation. Missouri uses a threshold system:

• If the non-residential parent has fewer than 92 overnights per year, the standard worksheet applies
• If they have 92 or more overnights (roughly 25% or more parenting time), an adjusted calculation reduces the obligation to reflect the additional direct costs that parent incurs

The 92-overnight threshold is built into the Form 14 directions. If your proposed parenting plan puts the non-residential parent close to that line, the difference in calculated support can be significant. Count the overnights in your plan carefully before completing the worksheet.

Common Form 14 Mistakes

The most frequent errors that lead to rejected or contested Form 14 calculations:

Using net income instead of gross. Form 14 uses gross monthly income — before taxes, 401(k) contributions, or other payroll deductions. This is a different number than your take-home pay.

Omitting irregular income. Bonuses, overtime, and commission income must be included. If your income varies month to month, average it over the past 12 months.

Forgetting to attach documentation. The worksheet alone isn't enough. Pay stubs and tax returns must be filed alongside it. Missing attachments delay your case.

Miscounting overnights. The difference between 88 and 94 overnights per year can change the calculated support by hundreds of dollars per month. Use a calendar and count every overnight in your proposed parenting plan.

Ignoring imputed income. If your spouse recently quit their job or reduced their hours without a legitimate reason, you can ask the court to impute income at their earning capacity. Don't just enter zero.

When to Deviate from the Presumed Amount

The presumed amount isn't always the final number. The court can order a different amount if the presumed figure would be "unjust or inappropriate" given the circumstances. Common grounds for deviation include:

• A child's extraordinary medical or educational needs
• Substantial assets in the child's name
• Seasonal or irregular income that makes monthly averaging inaccurate
• The financial resources and needs of both parents

If you're requesting a deviation, you'll need to explain why in writing and provide supporting evidence. The judge must include written findings justifying any departure from the Form 14 amount.

Getting It Right the First Time

Form 14 isn't conceptually difficult, but the details matter enormously. One wrong line changes the entire calculation, and a miscalculated support amount can persist for years before being modified.

The Missouri Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a Form 14 preparation worksheet that walks you through each line of the calculation in plain language, helps you identify which income sources to include, and flags the documentation you'll need before you fill out the official state worksheet.

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