Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

Is Child Support Negotiable?

Is Form 14 negotiable? When I do the calculations the amount seems punative and about double what the mother actually wants. She is going thru DFS to get the support now. Could I talk to her, both get lawyers, or just my lawyer and DFS, and just sign an order for the lower amount she wants?

Thanks


Asked on 7/26/07, 11:04 am

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

Re: Is Child Support Negotiable?

The law does allow for a child support figure to be ordered "off the chart" if using the figure calculated with Form 14 would be unjust and inappropriate under all of the circumstances, as you believe it to be. Often we get courts to approve a figure agreed upon by the parties evenif it was not calculated with Form 14. The problem you have is that you are dealing with DFS, and they do not always play by the rules. You probably do need an attorney. You might be better off getting an attorney and filing a Motion to get this issue into court.

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Answered on 7/31/07, 11:01 pm


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