Divorce Law in Springfield, MO

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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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.

Forms and calculations to determine the amount of child support owed by residents of Springfield can be found online, courtesy of the Judicial Branch of Missouri. These calculations measure the household income of both parents and the number of children belonging to each household. Certain monthly expenditures are also taken into account, such as medical costs.

Alimony

Alimony, or spousal support, can vary dramatically depending on the marriage, and Springfield, MO 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 awards temporary, periodic, or permanent alimony. The Missouri Bar states that unpaid alimony is called alimony in arrears. Unpaid alimony can be claimed through small claims court or wage garnishment.

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.

A child’s best interest is the determining factor for every facet of a divorce proceeding, according to the Missouri Courts. Several factors will be examined when deciding custody for the child, such as emotional and financial needs. The court will go to great lengths to try and maintain a child’s schedule, school, and social fabric as interrupting these can bring even more harm and shock to a child’s situation.

Generally, Springfield, 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 Springfield, Missouri

Are you leaning towards getting a divorce from your partner? If so, it is important to understand the necessary steps of the 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.

Missouri Statutes make the state a no-fault state when it comes to divorce. If the judge finds the marriage is irretrievably broken down the divorce can proceed.

Step 2: Request Temporary Orders

The divorce law process in Springfield can take several months, 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 Springfield, MO 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 many of the divorce cases for the state. An experienced divorce attorney in Springfield can help you through this difficult process if you find yourself before the Greene 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield 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!