Income withholding is a deduction of a payment for child support from a parent’s income. An order for income withholding can be from a court or administratively ordered by a child support agency—such as the child support division of the state’s Attorney General’s office.
The parent's employer often transmits the money directly to the child support agency.
In Missouri, income withholding is a common method used to collect child support payments. When a parent is ordered to pay child support, an income withholding order can be issued by a court or administratively by a child support agency, such as the Family Support Division (FSD) under the Missouri Department of Social Services. This order requires the parent's employer to deduct the specified amount of child support from the parent's income and send it directly to the state's child support agency. The agency then disburses the funds to the custodial parent. Employers are required to comply with the income withholding order and can face penalties for failing to do so. This process ensures a more reliable and consistent payment of child support, reducing the likelihood of missed or late payments.