St. Charles Divorce Law Blog

Missouri parents may look back upon their own childhoods and be amazed at how much has changed. Over the past few decades, such advances have been made that many parents find it amusing to see the bewilderment on a child's face upon hearing that just a generation ago, children their age did not have cellphones, the internet and other technology that is now commonplace. Gadgets are not the only advances that have been made, and now people are noticing exciting new standards regarding fathers' rights. 

Not so long ago, if a couple got divorced, it was not unusual for the mother to be awarded primary custody of the children for seemingly no reason at all. Socioeconomic factors certainly played a role, but -- to borrow from Bob Dylan, "times, they are a changin," which is great news for dads across the nation. These days, mom doesn't win just because she's mom. 

Missouri residents need only tune in to the daily news to see a recent rash of tabloid-esque stories surrounding celebrity parents. Most recently, R&B singer R. Kelly was reported to be in arrears on his child support in an amount of $161,000. Further, a reputable news outlet aired a shocking report showing that the entire nation seems to be a bit behind on child support. 

The report informs readers and viewers that an estimated 30 percent of child support payments are not made in the United States. For payments that are made, it is estimated that less than 50 percent are made for the total amount owed. This statistic is shocking, especially because researchers indicate that only half of separated couples have a child support order in place to begin with. 

Missouri parents who are estranged from their spouses understand how challenging life can get regarding their children. Especially if there is no existing court-approved plan in place for child custody, things can get rather complicated quickly, particularly if parents disagree about what's best for their kids. Actor Channing Tatum has been learning what it's like to be a single father and says he believes a set schedule for custody would be better for his 5-year-old daughter.

Tatum and his wife have been apart for some time. He is petitioning the court to have custody of his child two days a week, with her mother taking custody for two alternate days and both parents rotating a weekend custody schedule. Tatum has also requested that each parent be granted two weeks of time with their daughter during summer vacations from school. In addition to these requests, the singer/actor also has a specific custody plan in mind for holidays and other special occasions, such as his daughter's birthday.

Many Missouri parents may still be confused about some aspects of raising children between two separate households. Especially in cases where parents have recently separated, finding the "new normal" may be tricky. In addition to working on custody agreements and co-parenting, many families must begin the process of filing for child support. 

While child support agreements are certainly not unusual, each family is different. The courts will consider a myriad of aspects when calculating the amount a parent needs to pay to cover his or her share of the financial support a child needs. In Missouri, the average child support payment is about $500 a month.