Missouri Divorce Resources

The following information is a resource on Missouri divorce law and resources. You can find a divorce lawyers, separation and divorce forms, child support calculators, and support groups.  In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.

Professionals Divorce Lawyers Private Investigators Background Checks Divorce Support Support Groups Domestic Violence Shelters and Hotlines

Divorce Papers Online Divorce Divorce and Separation Forms Divorce Form Preparation Family Law Resources Divorce Laws Child Support Guidelines MO Child Support Estimator Child Support Enforcement

* Listings in the Resource and Professional Directory does not imply an endorsement by this website.  WomansDivorce.com makes no warranty and assumes no legal liability for any service or provider listed below.  If you provide a divorce related service and are interested in being listed in this directory, click here.

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MO DIVORCE LAWYERS

Need a Divorce Lawyer? LegalMatch allows you to present your case, and respond only to attorneys who want to help you. It's Free & Confidential.  You can post you legal issues with Legal Match and receive a reply from qualified attorneys who can handle your case.  Legal Match is a good directory  that empowers consumers to locate and thoroughly review the experience, availability and price of pre-screened attorneys before deciding whom to contact.

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DIVORCE FORM PREPARATION

Have All of Your Documents Completed For You!  This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of Missouri.  You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access  to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750).   Start your divorce today.

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PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

There are currently no private investigators for this state

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BACKGROUND CHECKS

Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources.  Find out the truth about anyone!

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DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS

Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area.  There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.

Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES

Missouri Domestic Violence Crisis and Support Services
Shelters and Hotlines
Coalition Against Domestic Violence - MO Chapter

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MISSOURI DIVORCE LAW SUMMARY

Complete Online Divorce Statutes

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND WHERE TO FILE:  To file for a divorce in Missouri, either party must be a resident of the state for at least 90 days prior to filing.  The petition shall be filed in the circuit court in the county where either party resides. [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 452.240 and 452.305.1]

LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE:  A dissolution of marriage may be granted on the grounds that there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved and that therefore the marriage is irretrievably broken. If the defendant denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the plaintiff must prove one or more of the following:

• The respondent committed adultery and to continue the marriage would be intolerable;
• The respondent has behaved in such a way that continuing the marriage would be intolerable;
• The the respondent abandoned the petitioner for at least six months prior to the filing of the petition;
• That the parties have lived separate and apart by mutual consent for at least 12 months prior to filing;
• That the parties have lived separate and apart for a continuous period of at least 24 months prior to filing.  [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 452.305.1 and 452.320]

LEGAL SEPARATION: A legal separation may be granted on the same grounds as a dissolution of marriage.  In a legal separation, the court may make provisions for the custody and the support of each child, the maintenance of either spouse and the disposition of property. The parties may also reach a mutual agreement on maintenance of either spouse, the division of any property owned by either of them, and the custody, support and visitation of their children. Custody, support, and visitation of the children is subject to modification.  [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 452.305.1 and 452.325.1]

MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS:  When children are involved, the court may order counseling for the children. The court may also order the parties to participate in an alternative dispute resolution program to resolve any issues in dispute, except in cases of uncontested custody cases or if there is a finding of domestic abuse.  [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 452.318 and 452.372]

PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION:  Missouri is an equitable distribution state, meaning that if the parties can't reach a mutual agreement concerning the division of the marital estate, the court will distribute the property and liabilities in an equitable, but not necessarily equal fashion.  The court will take the following factors into consideration when making it's decision:  (1) The economic circumstances of each spouse, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live therein for reasonable periods to the spouse having custody of any children; (2) The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of a spouse as homemaker; (3) The value of the non-marital property set apart to each spouse; (4) The conduct of the parties during the marriage; and (5) Custodial arrangements for minor children.

Property not subject to division is considered separate property, and includes:  (1) Property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent; (2) Property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent; (3) Property acquired after a decree of legal separation; (4) Property excluded by valid written agreement of the parties; and (5) The increase in value of property acquired prior to the marriage, unless marital assets including labor, have contributed to such increases and then only to the extent of such contributions. [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 452.330]

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ALIMONY/MAINTENANCE/SPOUSAL SUPPORT:  Maintenance may be awarded to either spouse if the court finds that the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property, to provide for his or her reasonable needs, and is unable to support himself herself through appropriate employment or is the custodian of a child whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the custodian not be required to seek employment outside the home.  When awarding the duration and amount of maintenance, the court shall consider all relevant factors including:

1. The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property awarded to him, and his ability to meet his needs independently, including any provisions for child support for that party as custodian;
2. The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment;
3. The comparative earning capability of each spouse;
4. The standard of living established during the marriage;
5. The obligations and assets of each party;
6. The duration of the marriage;
7. The age, and the physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance;
8. The ability of the obligated spouse to meet his needs while meeting the needs of the spouse seeking maintenance;
9. The conduct of the parties during the marriage; and
10. Any other factors that the court deems relevant .

Remarriage of the spouse receiving alimony shall relieve the other spouse from the obligation to pay alimony. [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Sections 452.075 and 452.335]

SPOUSE'S NAME: Even though there is no specific statute that addresses changing a spouses name as part of a petition for dissolution of marriage, a person may petition the circuit court for a name change.  The petition shall set forth the petitioner's full name, the new name desired, and a concise statement of the reason for such desired change.  The court will grant the name change if such judge is satisfied that the desired change would be proper and not detrimental to the interests of any other person. [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Sections 527.270]

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CHILD CUSTODY:  If the parents can't reach a mutual agreement concerning custody of the children, the court shall determine custody based on the best interests of the child, considering all relevant factors including:

1. The wishes of the parents concerning custody and the proposed parenting plan submitted by both parties;
2. The needs of the child for a frequent, continuing and meaningful relationship with both parents and the ability and willingness of parents to actively involved in meeting the needs of the child;
3. The relationship of the child with parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests;
4. Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, continuing and meaningful contact with the other parent;
5. The adjustment of the child to the child's home, school, and community;
6. The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, including any history of abuse of any individuals involved;
7. The intention of either parent to relocate the principal residence of the child; and
8. The wishes of a child as to the child's custodial parent.

When determining custody, there shall be no preference given to either parent in the awarding of custody because of that parent's age, sex, or financial status, nor because of the age or sex of the child. [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Sections 452.375]

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CHILD SUPPORT IN MISSOURI: The courts use the "Income Shares" model for child support, meaning that the level of support is based on the combined income of both parents.  The Missouri child support guidelines contain specific, descriptive and numeric criteria which will result in a computation of the support obligation.  You can use Form 14 (this is a pdf file) to calculate the amount of child support that will be ordered, based on the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (also a pdf file).  [Based on Missouri Revised Statutes, Sections 452.340 and 452.335] » Return to top