The good news is yes, child support arrears can potentially be forgiven. You would need to have a joint petition filed along with the other parent though, showing that you are both in mutual agreement and jointly requesting that the arrears be waived or forgiven.
It's important to remember that while parents cannot waive child support obligations entirely, they do have the right to request modifications through the Missouri Family Support Division (FSD).
No, a parent cannot decline or waive child support obligations in Missouri. It's the duty of both parents to support their child, whether as a custodial parent or a parent sending monthly payments. Once the court has ordered child support, that order stands until it is terminated or modified.
If a parent believes that a child support obligation should be terminated, he or she should write a letter to the local county FSD office, which can be found at the Missouri Child Support County Offices website. The letter should include the following: Parent's name, the other parent's name, and the child/ren names.
If you're looking to request a child support modification in Missouri, you generally need to go through the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) or through a family law attorney in your state.
It's possible to request the court to waive child support arrears owed to the other parent. Both parents must agree on how the arrears are settled, such as by paying only part of the total amount and waiving the remaining balance.
A child support obligation terminates upon the following: The child dies, The child marries, The child enters active military duty, The child becomes self-supporting and the custodial parent has relinquished parental control,