Standard Parenting Time Schedules and Court Guidelines in Missouri
Missouri has no standard parenting time schedule, and courts may not require a default plan. Each party proposes a written parenting plan within 30 days after service, and the judgment includes one.
Does Missouri have a standard parenting time schedule?
No statewide schedule appears in the sections we read, and no court may adopt a local rule or form requiring a standardized or default parenting plan (RSMo 452.375.11). Each party submits a proposed plan within 30 days after service, and the plan is set in your agreement or the court’s judgment.
What must a proposed parenting plan include in Missouri?
A specific written schedule for each child with each party: major holidays, school holidays, birthdays and parent days, weekday and weekend schedules and vacations, times and places for transfers, sharing of transportation, telephone access, how temporary variations are requested and any restrictions; a legal custody plan covering education, medical, extracurricular and child care decisions, communication and dispute resolution; and how the child’s expenses will be paid (452.310.8).
Is there an overnight line for equal time in Missouri?
No. The statute speaks of equal or approximately equal parenting time and of joint physical custody as significant, but not necessarily equal, periods.
| Pattern (other parent) | Overnights a year | Share (other / primary) | Overnights from equal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 of 14 nights | 52 | 14.2% / 85.8% | 130 |
| 3 of 14 nights | 78 | 21.4% / 78.6% | 104 |
| 4 of 14 nights | 104 | 28.5% / 71.5% | 78 |
| 5 of 14 nights | 130 | 35.6% / 64.4% | 52 |
| 6 of 14 nights | 156 | 42.7% / 57.3% | 26 |
| 7 of 14 nights | 183 | 50.1% / 49.9% | 0 |
These are our counts of a repeating 14-day pattern before extra summer or holiday nights.
How does child support use the overnights in Missouri?
Form 14 gives an overnight adjustment based on the overnights with each parent (Form 14). The Missouri child support calculator applies it.
Why does Missouri bar default parenting plans?
The statute says no court may adopt a local rule, form or practice requiring a standardized or default parenting plan for interim, temporary or permanent orders (452.375.11), so your plan has to be written for your family.
Which calculator should I use after counting overnights in Missouri?
Take the overnights to the Missouri child support calculator and keep the Missouri parenting time calculator count consistent with your plan.
Does the parenting plan cover decision-making in Missouri?
Yes. It includes a legal custody plan on education, medical and health care, extracurricular activities, child care providers, communication and dispute resolution (452.310.8(2)).
Does the plan cover money in Missouri?
Yes. It addresses how the child’s expenses will be paid, including the suggested child support, health insurance, educational and extraordinary expenses and child care (452.310.8(3)).
When does the plan have to be filed in Missouri?
Each party submits a proposed parenting plan within thirty days after service of process or the entry of appearance, whichever happens first (452.310.8).
What should a written schedule cover in Missouri?
- The regular pattern, with exchange days, times and a place.
- Holidays, school breaks and summer, and how they replace the regular pattern.
- The overnight count, so child support uses the right adjustment.
- Transportation, communication and decision-making.
- How changes are agreed and put in writing.
What if the parents cannot agree in Missouri?
The court applies the presumption, enters written findings and sets a plan in its discretion in the child’s best interest. See the uncontested versus contested divorce in Missouri post for how agreed and disputed cases differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a standard parenting schedule in Missouri?
No. Courts may not require a standardized or default plan; each judgment includes a plan for the family.
When must a Missouri parenting plan be filed?
Within 30 days after service of process or the entry of appearance.
Does a 7-in-14 schedule count as equal time in Missouri?
It is about 183 overnights, an essentially equal split.
Does a 3-in-14 schedule count as equal time in Missouri?
No. It is about 78 overnights, 21.4%, far from equal.
Who sets the schedule if Missouri parents cannot agree?
The court, starting from the equal-time presumption and entering written findings.
Official sources
- RSMo 452.375: custody
- RSMo 452.377: relocation of a child
- RSMo 452.310: petition; parenting plans
- RSMo 452.400: visitation rights
- Missouri courts: Form 14 child support
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Missouri statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Missouri attorney.