There are a number of reasons that people may find themselves dealing with the Missouri Family Court system. Some of the more common types of proceedings heard by family courts include dissolutions (divorces), child custody matters, child support determinations or modifications, and matters related to domestic violence. These and other Missouri family law issues can have a significant impact on almost every aspect of your life, so it is extremely important for anyone who is party to a family court proceeding to a qualified Missouri family law attorney. In many cases, the assistance of a legal professional can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case, so do not hesitate to contact us for Missouri family law assistance today.
Missouri Divorce
Missouri recognizes both “fault” divorce and “no-fault” divorce. If both couples agree to the divorce, they simply have to state that they have “irreconcilable differences” which means that the marriage is irretrievably broken and that there is no chance that it can be saved. In the event that one spouse objects to a Missouri divorce, the spouse seeking the divorce may claim fault on the part of the other. Missouri law only recognizes a limited number of fault grounds, which are adultery, cruelty abandonment, a one-year separation if agreed upon, or a two-year separation if the separation was unilateral.
Regardless of whether the divorce is a no-fault or a fault-based divorce, there are usually serious issues that must be decided in order for a divorce to become final. These include issues related to child custody, the division of property, spousal maintenance, and child support, all of which could have a significant impact on your personal and financial life. As a result, it is important for anyone considering a divorce of any kind to call an experienced professional to discuss their options and receive valuable Missouri divorce advice.
Missouri Child Support
Because the law imposes a responsibility on both parents to provide for the financial needs of their children, many dissolution proceedings inherently involve a Missouri child support determination. In Missouri, the amount of child support awarded is based on the guidelines set forth in “Form 14,” which takes into account each parent’s gross income, maintenance payments, the number of children, the cost of child care, health care costs and the amount of time the child or children spend overnight with each parent throughout the year. Courts do have discretion in determining whether and how much child support to award, so it is important for anyone who believes that child support will be an issue in their case to call our team for Missouri child support help as soon as possible.
Missouri Child Custody
For many parents, maintaining a close and meaningful relationship with their children is among their most pressing concerns when going through a divorce, which is why a Missouri child custody determination is so important. Missouri courts balance several factors in order to determine what arrangement would be in the best interests of the child. These factors include each parent’s proposed parenting plan, the wishes of the child, plans to relocate the child, any history of parental abuse or neglect, and the child’s needs to remain emotionally involved with each parent. Because the court has a significant amount of discretion in determining child custody issues, it is important for people involved in child support disputes to contact our professionals for Missouri child custody help.
Missouri Father’s Rights
There is a perception that courts have historically favored a mother’s rights over a father’s when making decisions regarding child support and custody. In addition, fathers who are not married to the mother of their children are required to go through the additional step of establishing paternity before any parental rights are recognized. As a father, it is often helpful to have the assistance of a MIssouri family law lawyer familiar with the family law system in order to ensure that you obtain full parental rights with respect to your child or children. For assistance in protecting your rights, call us for Missouri father’s rights advice today.
Regardless with which type of family law issue you are currently dealing, our experienced team of legal professionals can provide quality Missouri family law advice. Call us today at (877) 899-8709 to discuss your situation.