St. Charles Divorce Lawyers & Attorneys
Divorce can affect nearly every aspect of your life, from your finances and property to your relationship with your children and your plans for the future. If you are considering divorce in St. Charles, Missouri, or have already been served with divorce papers, having knowledgeable legal representation can help you understand your rights and make informed decisions throughout the process.
At Stange Law Firm, PC, our attorneys focus exclusively on domestic relations matters. Founded in 2007, our firm represents men and women in contested and uncontested divorce proceedings, including cases involving significant marital assets, business interests, spousal maintenance, parenting time, financial assistance for children, and other complex legal issues.
Our St. Charles office is conveniently located at 2268 Bluestone Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63303. We represent individuals throughout St. Charles County, including St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon, Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, Weldon Spring, and surrounding communities.
Whether you are preparing to file for divorce, responding to a petition, or attempting to resolve an ongoing dispute, our St. Charles divorce lawyers can help you evaluate your options and prepare for the legal process ahead.
Call our St. Charles office at 636-940-5900 or contact Stange Law Firm online to schedule a confidential consultation.
Why Choose Stange Law Firm for Your St. Charles Divorce?
Choosing a divorce attorney is an important decision. Divorce proceedings can involve difficult legal questions, significant financial consequences, and decisions that affect you and your loved ones for years to come. You need an attorney who understands Missouri domestic relations law, takes the time to understand your objectives, and approaches your case with careful preparation.
Stange Law Firm was established in 2007 with a focus on domestic relations matters. Unlike firms that handle divorce alongside numerous unrelated practice areas, our attorneys concentrate their work on legal issues affecting individuals and those they care about. Our approach emphasizes preparation, communication, and a strategy tailored to each case.
We understand that some clients want to reach an agreement as efficiently as possible, while others face disputes that require substantial discovery, financial analysis, expert testimony, or litigation. Our attorneys assist clients with everything from straightforward agreed divorces to complicated matters involving substantial property, closely held businesses, retirement accounts, maintenance disputes, and contested parenting arrangements.
You can learn more about our legal team by visiting our attorney biographies. Our goal is to help clients understand their options, protect their interests, and move forward with a plan for the future.
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Divorce Representation Throughout St. Charles County, Missouri
No two divorces are exactly alike. Some couples have reached an agreement about nearly everything before consulting an attorney. Others disagree about finances, property, parenting arrangements, or whether maintenance should be awarded. A divorce can become particularly complicated when one spouse owns a business, substantial assets must be valued, or there are concerns about undisclosed income or marital property.
Our St. Charles divorce attorneys assist clients with a broad range of domestic relations matters, including:
Contested and uncontested divorce proceedings.
Division of marital property and debts.
Business valuations and complex marital estates.
Spousal maintenance and alimony.
Parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities.
Financial assistance for children and related financial obligations.
Temporary orders during divorce proceedings.
Divorce mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Legal separation.
Post-divorce modifications and enforcement proceedings.
We work with clients to identify the legal and financial issues involved in their cases, obtain relevant documentation, evaluate settlement proposals, and prepare for litigation when an agreement cannot be reached.
Contested and Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce occurs when spouses agree on all issues necessary to resolve their marriage. This may include property division, debt allocation, maintenance, parenting arrangements, and financial assistance for children. Although these cases may proceed more efficiently, it remains important to ensure that the written agreement is complete, legally appropriate, and accurately reflects the parties’ intentions.
A contested divorce involves disagreement over one or more significant issues. These cases may require formal discovery, financial disclosures, depositions, subpoenas, temporary hearings, expert evaluations, and potentially a trial. Our attorneys represent clients in both types of proceedings, recognizing the value of reaching an appropriate settlement while understanding that thorough preparation is essential when substantial disagreements remain.
Filing for Divorce in St. Charles County
Missouri refers to divorce as a dissolution of marriage. To obtain a dissolution, the court must have jurisdiction over the case, and the applicable statutory requirements must be satisfied.
Under Section 452.305 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, at least one spouse generally must have resided in Missouri for 90 days immediately before filing the petition. Missouri also requires at least 30 days to pass after the petition is filed before a final judgment of dissolution may be entered.
These requirements establish minimum statutory periods. They do not mean that every divorce will be completed within 30 days. The actual timeline depends on the complexity of the case, whether the parties agree on the disputed issues, the exchange of financial information, and the court’s schedule.
Divorce cases filed in St. Charles County are generally handled through the Circuit Court of St. Charles County.
What Happens During the Divorce Process?
A Missouri divorce ordinarily begins when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The filing spouse is known as the petitioner, while the other spouse is the respondent. After service of process or an appropriate entry of appearance, the parties begin addressing the legal and financial issues necessary to resolve the marriage.
Depending on the circumstances, the process may involve exchanging financial statements, producing documents, identifying marital and separate property, addressing temporary financial obligations, and developing proposed parenting arrangements. The parties may attempt to reach an agreement through attorney negotiations, mediation, or another appropriate settlement process.
If significant disputes remain unresolved, the court may be asked to decide those issues following a hearing or trial. Our St. Charles divorce attorneys help clients understand the procedural requirements and prepare for each stage of their case.
Property and Debt Division in a St. Charles Divorce
Dividing marital property is frequently one of the most significant issues in a divorce. During a marriage, spouses may acquire homes, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement benefits, business interests, and other assets. They may also accumulate mortgages, credit card balances, personal loans, tax obligations, and additional debts.
Missouri follows an equitable distribution system. Under Section 452.330 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, courts divide marital property and debts in a manner considered just after evaluating the relevant circumstances. An equitable division is not necessarily an equal division.
The court may consider the parties’ economic circumstances, their contributions to acquiring marital property, the value of separate property, conduct during the marriage, and other relevant statutory factors.
Our attorneys assist clients in identifying and evaluating marital assets, reviewing financial records, analyzing proposed property divisions, and determining whether additional documentation or professional valuations may be necessary.
For additional information, visit our property division practice page.
Divorce Involving Businesses and Complex Assets
A divorce can become particularly complicated when either spouse owns a closely held business, professional practice, or substantial investment portfolio. Determining the value of these assets may require examining financial statements, tax returns, business records, ownership agreements, compensation arrangements, and other financial information.
Business owners may also have concerns about preserving company operations, maintaining cash flow, and determining whether a proposed property settlement is financially workable. Other complex matters may involve retirement accounts, restricted stock, executive compensation, inherited assets, real estate holdings, or disputes over whether particular property is marital or separate.
Stange Law Firm represents individuals in divorce matters involving complex financial issues. When appropriate, financial professionals, appraisers, or other qualified experts may be involved to assist in evaluating disputed assets.
Spousal Maintenance and Alimony in St. Charles County
Spousal maintenance, sometimes called alimony, is another important consideration in Missouri divorce proceedings. Maintenance is not automatically awarded simply because one spouse earns more than the other.
Under Section 452.335 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, the court first evaluates whether the spouse requesting maintenance meets the statutory requirements for an award. If those requirements are satisfied, the court considers additional factors when determining the appropriate amount and duration.
These considerations may include the parties’ financial resources, earning capacities, standard of living during the marriage, length of the marriage, age and health, conduct during the marriage, and the ability of the paying spouse to meet their own reasonable needs while providing maintenance.
Maintenance provisions can have substantial long-term consequences. Depending on the terms of the judgment, an award may be modifiable or nonmodifiable. It is therefore important to understand the financial implications of a proposed maintenance agreement before accepting it.
Our St. Charles divorce attorneys represent individuals seeking maintenance as well as those who may be required to pay it. Learn more about our representation in spousal support and maintenance matters.
Parenting Time and Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
When divorcing spouses have minor children, decisions about parenting time and parental responsibilities can be among the most important and emotionally challenging parts of the case.
Missouri law recognizes different arrangements concerning parental decision-making authority and the time children spend with each parent. These arrangements may address responsibility for significant educational, medical, and other decisions, as well as the children’s living arrangements and parenting schedules.
Under Section 452.375 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, the court evaluates parenting issues according to the best interests of the child. Parents are generally required to submit a proposed parenting plan addressing the relevant arrangements for their children.
A comprehensive parenting plan may include the regular weekly schedule, holidays, school vacations, transportation, exchanges, communication between parents, educational decisions, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and procedures for resolving future disagreements.
Our attorneys assist clients in developing proposed parenting arrangements that address the children’s needs while accounting for each client’s particular circumstances. When parents cannot reach an agreement, we help clients prepare and present their positions to the court.
For more information about these issues, visit our St. Charles County parenting time attorneys page.
Financial Assistance for Children in a St. Charles Divorce
When minor children are involved, the divorce judgment may also establish financial obligations for their care and support. Missouri courts generally begin with the state’s financial guidelines and Form 14, which considers the parents’ financial circumstances and other relevant information.
Factors affecting the calculation may include each parent’s income, the parenting schedule, health insurance expenses, work-related childcare costs, and applicable adjustments or credits.
Financial assistance calculations can become more complicated when a parent owns a business, receives commissions or bonuses, has fluctuating income, or disputes arise concerning earning capacity. Additional questions may involve private school expenses, uncovered medical costs, college attendance, or the duration of financial obligations.
Our attorneys assist parents with establishing, modifying, and enforcing financial assistance arrangements for their children.
Learn more by visiting our St. Charles financial assistance attorneys page.
Divorce Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Not every divorce needs to end in a contested trial. Many spouses are able to resolve their disagreements through negotiation, mediation, or another form of alternative dispute resolution.
Mediation allows the parties to work with a neutral third party in an effort to reach mutually acceptable agreements. It may provide an opportunity to address property division, financial arrangements, parenting schedules, and other issues without requiring the court to decide every disputed matter.
However, settlement should not come at the expense of understanding the relevant facts. Before agreeing to a resolution, individuals should have sufficient information about the marital estate, outstanding debts, financial obligations, and the potential consequences of the proposed terms.
Our attorneys help clients evaluate settlement opportunities, participate in negotiations, and prepare for litigation when alternative dispute resolution does not produce an appropriate agreement.
Additional information is available on our divorce mediation page.
Legal Separation in Missouri
Some spouses are uncertain whether they want to permanently end their marriage but need legal arrangements concerning finances, property, parenting time, or other immediate issues.
Missouri permits legal separation when the applicable statutory requirements are met. A legal separation may address many of the same issues involved in a divorce, but it does not dissolve the marriage or permit either spouse to remarry.
Depending on the circumstances, legal separation may be considered for personal, financial, religious, or practical reasons. It is important to understand the legal consequences before deciding whether separation or dissolution is the more appropriate option.
Our St. Charles domestic relations attorneys can explain the differences between these proceedings and help clients evaluate their available options.
Modifying or Enforcing Orders After Divorce
A divorce judgment may resolve the immediate legal issues between spouses, but circumstances can change after the case concludes. Employment arrangements may change, a parent may relocate, a child’s needs may evolve, or one party may fail to comply with an existing court order.
Depending on the circumstances and the terms of the judgment, it may be possible to seek modification of certain provisions or request court intervention to enforce an existing obligation.
Missouri applies different legal standards to different types of modification requests, and some provisions may not be subject to modification.
Our attorneys assist clients with post-divorce proceedings involving parenting arrangements, financial assistance for children, maintenance, and enforcement of existing judgments.
Learn more about modification of court orders.
St. Charles County Divorce Court Information and Resources
Individuals preparing for divorce in St. Charles County may find it helpful to become familiar with the local court system, its procedures, and the resources available to individuals involved in domestic relations proceedings.
The Circuit Court of St. Charles County handles divorce and other domestic relations matters filed within its jurisdiction. Local court rules and procedural requirements may affect filing obligations, parenting plans, hearings, and other aspects of a case.
The following resources provide additional information about the St. Charles County court system:
These resources can provide useful procedural information, although they do not replace legal advice concerning an individual’s particular circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in St. Charles, Missouri
How long does a divorce take in St. Charles County?
Missouri requires at least 30 days to pass after filing before a final divorce judgment may be entered. However, this is only a statutory minimum. An uncontested divorce may be completed more quickly than a contested proceeding, while cases involving substantial financial disputes, parenting disagreements, extensive discovery, or expert testimony may take considerably longer.
The court’s calendar, the parties’ willingness to cooperate, and the complexity of the issues can all affect the timeline.
Do both spouses have to agree to get divorced in Missouri?
No. A spouse cannot permanently prevent a divorce simply by refusing to agree to it. Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, although the court must make the findings required by law before entering a judgment.
When one spouse disputes the dissolution or the proposed terms, the proceedings may become more complicated. The court can ultimately resolve disputed issues when the applicable legal requirements have been satisfied.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in St. Charles?
The cost of legal representation depends on the complexity of the case, the number of disputed issues, the amount of discovery required, and whether the matter can be resolved through negotiation or requires substantial litigation.
Stange Law Firm handles divorce matters on an hourly-fee basis. During an initial consultation, prospective clients can discuss their circumstances and obtain information about the firm’s representation and fee arrangements.
Is Missouri a 50/50 property division state?
Missouri follows equitable distribution rather than requiring an automatic equal division of every marital asset. The court divides marital property and debts in a manner it considers just after evaluating the applicable statutory factors.
In some cases, an equal division may be appropriate. In others, the circumstances may support a different allocation.
What happens to the marital home during a divorce?
The marital residence may be sold, awarded to one spouse with an appropriate financial offset, or addressed through another arrangement depending on the circumstances.
Important considerations may include the home’s equity, mortgage obligations, refinancing ability, financial resources, and the needs of the parties and their children.
Can temporary orders be entered while a divorce is pending?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, a Missouri court may enter temporary orders addressing issues such as maintenance, financial assistance for children, parenting arrangements, use of property, and other matters requiring attention before the final judgment.
Temporary orders can be particularly important when the parties cannot agree on financial responsibilities or parenting arrangements during the proceedings.
Can I get divorced without going to trial?
Yes. Many divorces are resolved through negotiated settlements, mediation, or agreements reached between the spouses and their attorneys.
When the parties reach a complete agreement, the proposed terms can be submitted to the court for consideration. However, if material disputes remain unresolved, a hearing or trial may be necessary.
Do I need a divorce lawyer if my spouse and I agree on everything?
Missouri allows individuals to represent themselves, but even an agreed divorce can involve important legal and financial consequences.
An attorney can help evaluate whether the proposed agreement adequately addresses property, debts, maintenance, parenting arrangements, retirement benefits, and other matters. Careful drafting may also reduce the likelihood of future disputes over unclear or incomplete provisions.
Speak With a St. Charles Divorce Attorney at Stange Law Firm
If you are considering divorce in St. Charles County, Missouri, or need representation in an existing proceeding, Stange Law Firm, PC is available to discuss your circumstances and legal options.
Our attorneys focus on domestic relations matters and represent individuals in contested and uncontested divorce proceedings, property division, maintenance, parenting time disputes, financial assistance matters, and post-divorce litigation.
We understand that divorce involves more than completing legal paperwork. The decisions made during these proceedings can affect your financial stability, your relationship with your children, and your ability to move forward after the marriage ends.
Our firm works to help clients understand the process, prepare for the issues ahead, and pursue resolutions suited to their individual circumstances.
St. Charles, Missouri Divorce Lawyers & Attorneys
Divorce can affect nearly every part of a person’s life, including finances, property, housing, parenting schedules, and long-term plans. If you are considering divorce in St. Charles, Missouri, or have already been served with court papers, understanding your options can help you make informed decisions from the beginning.
Stange Law Firm, PC represents individuals in divorce and other domestic relations matters throughout St. Charles County. Our attorneys help clients identify the issues that matter most, prepare for the court process, and pursue practical resolutions that protect their interests. When an agreement is not possible, we are prepared to advocate for our clients in court.
Our St. Charles office is located at 2268 Bluestone Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63303. We assist clients from St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon, Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, Weldon Spring, and communities throughout St. Charles County.
Helpful St. Charles County Divorce Resources
Individuals looking for information about the local court process may find these official resources helpful:
Divorce Representation in St. Charles County, Missouri
No two divorces are exactly alike. Some spouses agree on nearly every issue and need help preparing the documents required to complete the process. Others disagree about property, debts, maintenance, parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, or financial arrangements for their children. A case may also involve a business, professional practice, retirement assets, real estate, disputed income, or property located outside Missouri.
A St. Charles divorce lawyer can help you evaluate the legal and financial issues in your case, organize the information needed to support your position, and determine whether negotiation, mediation, collaborative practice, or litigation is the most appropriate path forward.
What Must Be Addressed in a Missouri Divorce?
A Missouri divorce may require decisions about:
Identifying and dividing marital property
Identifying separate property
Allocating marital debts
Determining whether spousal maintenance is appropriate
Establishing parenting time and decision-making responsibilities
Establishing financial arrangements for minor children
Addressing health insurance, uncovered medical costs, and education expenses
Entering temporary orders while the case is pending
Restoring a former name when requested
The issues involved depend on the parties’ circumstances. Careful preparation at the beginning of a St. Charles County divorce can reduce uncertainty and help avoid mistakes that may be difficult or expensive to correct later.
Filing for Divorce in St. Charles County
Under Missouri law, at least one spouse generally must have lived in Missouri for 90 days immediately before the case is filed. Missouri also requires at least 30 days to pass after the petition is filed before a final judgment can be entered. Meeting the statutory minimum does not mean every case will be completed in 30 days. The actual timeline depends on the disputed issues, the exchange of information, settlement efforts, and the court’s schedule.
A divorce case begins with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The spouse who files is the petitioner, and the other spouse is the respondent. After the respondent is formally served or enters an appearance, the parties may exchange financial records and other relevant information. They may then attempt to resolve the case through direct negotiation, mediation, or another settlement process. If material issues remain disputed, the court may decide them after a hearing or trial.
Divorce matters filed in St. Charles County are handled through the Circuit Court. Local procedures, filing requirements, and scheduling practices can affect how a case moves forward. Working with an attorney familiar with St. Charles County can help a client understand what to expect at each stage.
Dividing Property and Debts in a St. Charles Divorce
Property division is often one of the most significant parts of a divorce. Assets may include a residence, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement plans, business interests, personal property, and other items acquired during the marriage. Debts may include mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, tax obligations, and business liabilities.
Missouri law directs courts to divide marital property and debts in a manner the court considers just after reviewing the relevant circumstances. A just division is not necessarily an equal division. The court may consider the parties’ economic circumstances, their contributions to acquiring marital property, the value of each party’s separate property, conduct during the marriage, and other relevant factors.
An attorney can help trace separate property, review account records, analyze proposed divisions, and determine whether an appraisal or other professional evaluation may be needed. This can be especially important when the marital estate includes a closely held business, professional practice, complex compensation, real estate, or substantial retirement assets.
Divorce Involving a Business or Complex Assets
Business owners, executives, medical professionals, and other high-earning spouses may face additional questions during divorce. These cases can involve business valuation, retained earnings, ownership restrictions, goodwill, executive compensation, stock awards, tax consequences, and disputes about whether income or assets have been fully disclosed.
A thoughtful strategy should consider both the value of an asset and the practical consequences of a proposed division. The goal may be to preserve an operating business, offset one asset against another, structure a buyout, or protect cash flow while reaching a workable resolution. Financial records, tax returns, valuation reports, and testimony from qualified professionals may become important in contested cases.
Spousal Maintenance in St. Charles County
Spousal maintenance is not automatic in Missouri. The court first considers whether the spouse requesting maintenance lacks sufficient property to meet reasonable needs and is unable to meet those needs through appropriate employment, or whether other circumstances identified by statute apply.
When determining the amount and duration of maintenance, Missouri courts may consider the parties’ financial resources, comparative earning capacity, standard of living during the marriage, length of the marriage, age and health, conduct during the marriage, and the ability of the other spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance.
Maintenance may be modifiable or nonmodifiable, depending on the judgment. Because the wording of a maintenance provision can have lasting financial consequences, proposed terms should be reviewed carefully before an agreement is signed.
Parenting Time and Decision-Making Responsibilities
When divorcing spouses have minor children, the final judgment generally includes a written parenting plan. The plan may address the regular weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks, transportation, exchanges, communication, travel, education, healthcare, activities, and how major decisions will be made.
The court’s focus is the best interests of the children. A workable plan should provide appropriate stability while accounting for school schedules, the distance between households, each parent’s work responsibilities, and the children’s individual needs. Missouri law requires parents in cases involving parenting issues to submit a proposed plan, individually or jointly, within the applicable deadline. More information is available in Section 452.310 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
Parenting disputes can be among the most emotional parts of a St. Charles divorce. Clear proposals, reliable documentation, and a child-centered approach can help keep the case focused on practical solutions.
Financial Arrangements for Children
A divorce involving minor children must also address how their financial needs will be met. The analysis may include each parent’s income, the parenting schedule, health insurance, uncovered medical expenses, work-related childcare, educational expenses, and other relevant circumstances.
These arrangements are often calculated using Missouri’s guidelines and financial forms, but the correct result depends on accurate information. Questions can arise when a parent is self-employed, receives bonuses or commissions, has fluctuating income, is voluntarily underemployed, or supports children from another relationship.
Financial obligations for a child do not always end automatically at age 18. Missouri law contains specific requirements involving secondary school, vocational training, college attendance, employment, disability, and other circumstances. An attorney can review how those requirements may apply to a particular case.
Contested and Uncontested Divorce in St. Charles
An uncontested divorce occurs when the spouses reach an agreement on every issue that must be decided. Even when the parties are cooperative, the agreement should be complete, understandable, and drafted to reduce the risk of future disputes. Missing or unclear terms can create problems after the judgment is entered.
A contested divorce occurs when the spouses cannot agree on one or more material issues. Contested cases may involve written discovery, depositions, subpoenas, appraisals, evaluations, temporary hearings, mediation, and trial. Many contested cases ultimately settle, but thorough trial preparation can still be important because it allows a client to evaluate settlement proposals from an informed position.
Our St. Charles divorce attorneys handle both agreed and contested matters, from relatively straightforward cases to disputes involving significant property, businesses, maintenance, and complex parenting concerns.
Legal Separation as an Alternative to Divorce
Some spouses are not ready to end their marriage but need court orders addressing finances, property, maintenance, parenting time, or other immediate concerns. Missouri permits legal separation when the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Legal separation may be considered for personal, financial, religious, insurance, or practical reasons. It is not the right choice for everyone, and it does not permit either spouse to remarry. A legal separation can later be converted to a divorce under Missouri law. An attorney can explain the differences and help determine which option better fits the circumstances.
Resolving a Divorce Without a Trial
Many St. Charles County divorce cases are resolved without a contested trial. Settlement may occur through attorney negotiations, mediation or another alternative dispute-resolution process, collaborative practice, or direct agreements between the spouses that are reviewed and formally documented by counsel.
Reaching an agreement can give the parties more control over the outcome, reduce uncertainty, and avoid the financial and emotional cost of trial. Settlement should not mean agreeing without adequate information. Before resolving a case, each party should understand the property involved, the debts being allocated, the effect of the proposed parenting plan, and the long-term financial consequences of the agreement.
Changes and Enforcement After Divorce
Life can change after a divorce judgment is entered. A parent may relocate, work schedules may change, a child’s needs may evolve, or a party may fail to follow the judgment. Depending on the issue and the language of the existing order, it may be possible to request a modification or enforcement order.
Not every provision can be changed, and Missouri law applies different standards to different issues. A St. Charles domestic relations attorney can review whether a modification may be available, explain the options, and help determine the appropriate next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in St. Charles, Missouri
How long does a divorce take in St. Charles County?
Missouri requires at least 30 days to pass after filing before a final judgment can be entered. An agreed case may be completed relatively quickly once all documents are ready and the court is available. A contested case can take considerably longer depending on the issues, discovery, settlement efforts, expert involvement, and the court’s calendar.
Do both spouses have to agree to the divorce?
No. One spouse cannot permanently prevent a divorce merely by refusing to agree. Disagreement can make the process longer and more contested, but the court can decide unresolved issues and enter a judgment when the legal requirements are met.
Can we reach an agreement without going to trial?
Yes. Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation. A complete written agreement can be submitted to the court for review. Each spouse should understand the agreement and its long-term effects before signing it.
What happens to the marital home?
The home may be sold, awarded to one spouse with an offset to the other, or addressed through another arrangement. The mortgage, equity, refinancing ability, tax consequences, and the needs of the household are all important considerations.
Can temporary orders be entered while the divorce is pending?
Depending on the circumstances, a court may enter temporary orders addressing use of property, payment of expenses, maintenance, parenting time, decision-making, and financial arrangements for children while the case is pending.
Can I handle a St. Charles divorce without an attorney?
Missouri allows individuals to represent themselves, but divorce judgments can have long-term financial and personal consequences. Legal representation can be particularly important when the case involves contested issues, minor children, real estate, retirement accounts, a business, unequal income, allegations of misconduct, or concerns that assets or income have not been fully disclosed.
Contact St. Charles County Divorce Lawyers Today
Reach out to us online or by phone to set up a consultation at our St. Charles County office. Our team is prepared to guide you through the complexities of divorce and provide the support you need to move forward with confidence.
St. Charles, MO Office (636-940-5900) | 2268 Bluestone Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303
