Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

My girlfriend and I are separating. This is a mutual agreement and are being civil about it. We have two children together. Looking at Child Support Calculators and other websites, I determined that I will probably have to pay between $1000 and $1300 a month for child support. This amount will put me in financial ruin because of current bills that we have occurred during our relationship over the last nine years. She and I think that this amount is very high, and have come up with an amount that we both agree upon. My question is can we go to a lawyer and have a written agreement written up and notarized and have it be legally binding in the eyes of the State of Missouri? I don't want to get hit for child support later on by the state if we have a "legal" agreement in place.


Asked on 11/10/10, 12:09 am

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

No, only the state agency, or even better, a Court can enter a legally binding Order regarding child support. Here is exactly what you need to do. Either you or your girlfriend should hire an attorney. The attorney can not represent both of you. But, the attorney can file the necessary pleadings in Court and obtain the Court's approval of the agreement that you and your girlfriend reach. You will need to include a Parenting Plan so that you will also have legally binding rights regarding legal and physical custody of the children. This is too important to mess up! Consult with an attorney today!

Read more
Answered on 11/16/10, 11:16 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Missouri