Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

What is child support used for?

I live in WI, and my ex and my children live in MO. Aside from last year when I was out of work, I've always been on time with child support, and am presently current with payments. Even though my ex has consistently denied visitation, I have never used it as a reason to not pay support (because I know I can't.) WHAT IS CHILD SUPPORT SUPPOSED TO GO TOWARD? Is there an actual source I can quote when I give her the answer to this question? She is telling me that I must pay for half of school supplies AND clothing bought at the beginning of the school year. I told her that is part of what my child support is supposed to go toward, and she disagrees. We do not have a 50/50 agreement, and I barely see my kids (not by my choice.) The original orders were made knowing this.


Asked on 9/01/07, 6:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael R. Nack Michael R. Nack, Attorney at Law

Re: What is child support used for?

If the existing Court Order does not specifically include a term concerning the educational expenses for the children, then they are included in the child support calculation. If you are looking for some law to convince your ex, you might refer her to Rule 88.01 or the Misssouri Rules of Civil Procedure, Form 14, and the Guidelines for the proper use of Form 14 (these follow the form 14 sample in the Rules). Or, you could simply ask her to provide a legal citation for her position that you should pay one-half of various expenses in additon to the child support.

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Answered on 9/02/07, 4:45 pm


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