Divorce Law in Missouri
Divorce Law refers to the legal termination of a marriage and often involves working through several complicated issues. Are you facing a costly divorce in Missouri? Does your estranged spouse have an attorney? Usually, couples going through a divorce are unable to compromise on most items and reach an agreement on their own. Thus, many couples go through mediation or the court system to resolve their case.
Issues Involved in Missouri Divorce Law
There are many complicated issues that you need to settle during the divorce process. Many of these elicit strong emotions from one party or the other, resulting in volatility.
Dividing Property
One of the most challenging issues in the divorce law process is dividing property, debts and assets. In many states, like Missouri, anything you and your spouse purchased over your marriage is subject to division. This includes things such as real estate, bank accounts, cars, stocks, etc. Some states split marital property evenly, while others go along an equitable split. In the latter, the judge weighs the contribution each spouse made to the marriage and uses that information to decide the disposition property, which may not equate to a perfect 50/50 division of your property, debt, and other assets.
Child Support
Both parents are responsible for paying for the care of their children. There is a child support guideline that helps determine how much each parent should contribute based on their income and the amount of time they spend with the children. Child support pays for things such as healthcare, food, clothing and other basic needs.
The Judicial Branch of Missouri offers online forms and calculations to determine what child support you might pay, if any. Calculations will include the income of both parents, as well as the number of children in the household. In addition, monthly expenditures for childcare and medical costs will also be taken into account. If you are ordered to pay monthly child support, this is not only an obligation but a court mandated order. Failing to pay in a timely manner can have serious adverse effects on your wages, credit, and can even result in jail time.
Alimony
Alimony, or spousal support, can vary dramatically depending on the marriage, and Missouri divorce law court looks at multiple factors when determining the amount and length of alimony, including:
- A spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay
- The age and health of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s earning capacity and level of education
- The division of property
- Parental responsibility of the children
- Sole investments and assets of either spouse
Missouri has 3 types of alimony; temporary, periodic, or permanent. The Missouri Revisor of Statutes affirms that these payments must be kept until discontinues by the court. Such measures that call for discontinuation of alimony would be re-marriage or the spouse gaining solid financial footing and having no further need of the payment.
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody is perhaps the most emotional issue during a divorce that involves children. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the court bases all decisions on what is in the best interest of the child. Keeping this in mind may help navigate the rough waters of custody.
The Missouri Courts declare that a child’s best interest is paramount and takes precedent over any other contributing factor. The judge must examine financial and emotional care that can be provided, as well as the amount of time a parent can spend with the child. The court also takes into account a child’s preference, previously established bonds, and if the parents have any prior history of substance or physical abuse. Additionally, Missouri is not a mother state, meaning that no preferential treatment is given to the mother over the father when making a decision.
Generally, Missouri courts award joint legal custody giving both parents the legal right to make decisions for the children, such as education, medical care and religious practices. Legal custody has nothing to do with physical custody or visitation. Joint custody does not mean both parents split time with the child evenly, just as sole legal custody does not bar the non-custodial parent from visiting the child.
The Process of Going Through Divorce Law in Missouri
Are you leaning towards getting a divorce from your partner? If so, it is important to understand the necessary steps of the Missouri divorce law process.
Step 1: File the Divorce Law Petition
The divorce law process begins when one spouse files a legal petition to terminate the marriage. The petition must include:
- A legal reason for divorce (grounds for divorce)
- A statement that shows at least one spouse meets the state’s residency requirements for divorce
- Other statutory information your state requires
Most states offer the option for filing a no-fault divorce, which does not require a legal reason for the divorce.
A judge does not have to consider grounds for divorce in Missouri. Missouri Statutes make this a no-fault state. If the judge finds the marriage is irretrievably broken down the divorce can proceed.
Step 2: Request Temporary Orders
The divorce law process in Missouri can take several months, and in some cases, spouses cannot wait that long for judgments, but temporary orders can be requested and approved for a multitude of reasons, including:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Property restraining orders
- Status quo orders
Request temporary orders as quickly as possible so you are not absent the resources or protection that you need.
Step 3: Serve Your Spouse and Wait for Their Response
If you are the one who files a petition for divorce, you must have your spouse served with their divorce law papers and then file a proof of service with the courts. If your spouse accepts service, then they need to fill out an affidavit to that effect. However, in many cases, the petitioner must hire a process server or sheriff to formally serve the petition on the other spouse. It is this third-party who then records the proof of service.
Step 4: Try To Come to an Agreement
The best outcome for anyone going through this process is to have an uncontested divorce, meaning both spouses agree on all issues.
This can be reached between both partners or with the help of a mediator. Not only will this save each spouse money, but there will typically be a lot less animosity.
Step 5: Go To Court
If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement, then the case continues before a Missouri judge. While there is some benefit to having a judge hand down orders, it may also be a detriment as there is little to no control of the agreement by the parties. County Circuit Courts in Missouri hear the many of the divorce cases for the state. An experienced divorce attorney in Missouri can help you through this difficult process if you find yourself before the St. Louis County Circuit Court.
Step 6: Receive the Judgement of Divorce
The divorce law trial will end with the official judgment of divorce, ending the marriage. This final dissolution of marriage sets out the details about property and debt division, child custody and all relevant issues between the couple.
Work With an Experienced Missouri Divorce Law Attorney
If you are going through a divorce and are unable to reach an agreement with your partner, you should hire an experienced Missouri divorce law attorney. A lawyer will fight for you and make sure you get what is yours. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Missouri state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
If you still have some urgent questions about your situation, take a look at another area of Missouri law.
