SB 910 - This act provides that no child support shall be awarded in instances where both parents sign an agreement and request the court to award them joint physical custody resulting in the child or children spending equal or substantially equal time with both parents, the difference in the verified incomes of the parents is less than twenty-five percent, and a finding has been made that such custody and award of no child support is in the best interest of the child. When parents do not agree on an award of no child support but meet all of the other requirements regarding the joint physical custody agreement under this act, the court shall award child support in an amount that provides for an 18 to 50 percent adjustment below the basic child support amount authorized by the child support guidelines. The Missouri Supreme Court is directed to amend the child support guidelines, commonly referred to as "Form 14", to reflect the ability to obtain up to a fifty percent adjustment for joint custody in accordance with the act.
This act also requires documentation to verify the income of the parties for the initial order of child support and for any modification of the order. Documentation includes current wage stubs, a current W-2 form, statements from a party's employer, a wage match with the Division of Employment Security and bank statements.
ADRIANE CROUSE