Missouri Supreme Court establishes child support guidelines for custody cases

On April 2, 2025, the Missouri State Legislature introduced House Bill 380, a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming child custody and support guidelines in the state. The bill seeks to enhance the enforcement of visitation and custody orders, ensuring that children maintain contact with both parents post-separation or divorce, unless a court determines otherwise.

Key provisions of House Bill 380 include the establishment of a rebuttable presumption that the child support amount calculated using newly defined guidelines is appropriate. These guidelines will be developed by the Missouri Supreme Court and will include specific criteria for calculating support obligations, particularly in cases of joint physical custody. The bill also allows courts to adjust child support obligations based on the time children spend with each parent, potentially offering up to a fifty percent reduction in support payments for parents sharing custody equally.

The bill addresses critical issues surrounding child welfare, aiming to prevent one parent from obstructing the other’s visitation rights without just cause. It empowers courts to modify custody arrangements and support obligations if a parent fails to comply with existing orders. Additionally, the legislation mandates that courts award reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, to the prevailing party in disputes over custody and support.

Debate surrounding House Bill 380 has been notable, with proponents arguing that it strengthens the rights of children to maintain relationships with both parents, while critics express concerns about the potential for misuse by parents seeking to evade support obligations. The bill's implications extend beyond individual cases, as it could reshape the landscape of family law in Missouri, impacting how custody and support disputes are resolved.

Experts suggest that the bill could lead to more equitable outcomes in custody arrangements, but caution that its success will depend on the effective implementation of the guidelines and the courts' willingness to enforce them consistently. As the legislative process unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the bill's progress and its potential effects on Missouri families.