Section 211.241

Title XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Chapter 211

Effective - 28 Aug 1957   

  211.241.  Court orders to parents for support of children, procedure — county to support, when. — 1.  When the juvenile court finds a child to be within the purview of applicable provisions of section 211.031 it may in the same or subsequent proceedings, either on its own motion or upon the application of any person, institution or agency having the custody of such child, proceed to inquire into the ability of the parent of the child to support it or to contribute to its support.  If the parent does not voluntarily appear for the proceeding, he shall be summoned in the same manner as in civil cases and the summons in the case may issue to any county of the state.

  2.  If the court finds that the parent is able to support the child or to contribute to its support, the court may enter an order requiring the parent to support the child or to contribute to its support and to pay the costs of collecting the judgment.

  3.  The court may enforce the order by execution and the execution may issue on request of the juvenile officer or any person, agency or institution which has been awarded custody of the child.  No deposit or bond for costs shall be required as a condition for the issuance or service of the execution.  No property is exempt from execution upon a judgment or decree made under this section, and all wages or other sums due the parent is subject to garnishment or execution in any proceedings under this section.

  4.  Otherwise the necessary support of the child shall, unless the court commits the child to a person or institution willing to receive it without charge, be paid out of the funds of the county but only upon approval of the judge of the juvenile court.

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(L. 1957 p. 642 § 211.240)

(1979) Statutory authority to require and enforce contribution by parent for support of child under jurisdiction of juvenile court implies authority to adjudicate paternity. Miller v. Russell (A.), 593 S.W.2d 598.