Opinion ID: 773302
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Posthumous Child Support

Text: 21 It is unlawful under Missouri law to create an order for posthumous child support, an order that secures a child support obligation through life insurance. Amyx v. Collins, 914 S.W.2d 370, 372 (Mo. Ct. App. 1996). Such insurance is void under Missouri law where the liability for future child support stops upon the death of the obligor. Id. Melissa and Christian argue that this is not posthumous child support, relying on Wheeler v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 999 S.W.2d 279 (Mo. App. 1999). They argue that the Wheeler court allows insurance provisions which are part of a voluntary property settlement derived from the parties. The Amyx case is distinguishable because it dealt with court-ordered insurance that became, in essence, child support. We conclude that the parties in this case voluntarily chose to include the insurance provision in their settlement agreement and, consequently, it is valid under Missouri law. Wheeler v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 999 S.W.2d at 287.