Columbia, Missouri Divorce Attorneys in Boone County, MO
Going through a divorce can be one of the most difficult times in your life, but it doesn’t have to be. At Stange Law Firm, PC you will find attorneys who will be there every step of the way to keep your mind at ease. Your attorney will be there to answer your questions and help you understand your rights.
When you retain with Stange Law Firm, PC, our Columbia divorce lawyers will diligently work for your interests. If you have children involved in your divorce, you can be sure your children will be protected. We represent clients with any domestic law need in Boone County through our Columbia, MO office.
Columbia, Missouri Divorce Lawyers Representing Clients Throughout Boone County
Many of our attorneys have been recognized for awards and accolades in the fields of divorce law. Some of these awards include being named Super Lawyer Rising Stars Honorees, Lead Counsel Rated for Divorce, and many others. You can find more information about each attorney’s awards by visiting their biographies on our website.
To learn more about the Boone County Court in Columbia, Missouri, we have provided the following links:
- Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office: Click this link to find more information on the Boone County Circuit Clerk’s office
- Boone County Family Court Rules: Have some questions about the Boone County family court rules? Click here!
- Map to Boone County Courthouse: Are you in need of directions to the Boone County Courthouse? Click on the link provided to help!
- Boone County Divorce Forms: View the Boone County divorce forms you’re looking for here.
- Missouri Child Support Estimate: Are you wishing you knew what the estimated cost was going to be for your child support payments in Missouri? Click here to use the calculator provided.
To schedule a confidential initial consultation to discuss your specific needs, call our Columbia, Missouri divorce lawyers at 573-303-0595 or contact our law firm online.
Caring Divorce Lawyers in Columbia, Missouri in Boone County
In any Missouri divorce case, you can be sure that you are represented by attorneys who will help you every step of the way. We only represent clients in divorce and domestic litigation matters, using the skill and care gained specifically in this field to better serve you in your Boone County, Missouri Divorce.
For your information, you can read articles about divorce law, view informational videos and seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application, or view the support calculator for Missouri on our web page.
Columbia, MO Divorce Lawyers Handling All Aspects of Divorce and Domestic Law Matters
As your full-service divorce law firm in Columbia, we can advise and represent you on any issues that may arise during the divorce process in Missouri in Boone County and surrounding areas, Jefferson City, and Cole County, such as:
- High net worth divorce in Columbia, MO: Our attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC are fully capable and ready to help you with a high net worth divorce matter. Contact us today, or click here for more information.
- Annulment in Columbia, MO: We offer you caring attorneys who can handle domestic matters of all kinds, annulments being one of them. Find more information here.
- Columbia, MO Uncontested divorce: We are here to help you with your uncontested divorce matter whenever you need us. Click the link provided to learn more.
- Columbia, MO Contested divorce: Our attorneys can help you with your contested divorce matter, find out how here.
- Columbia, Missouri divorce lawyers: Find divorce attorneys in Columbia, MO here.
- Columbia MO child custody and visitation attorneys: Our attorneys at Stange Law Firm are here to help you with any child custody and visitation matters you may have. Find out more here.
- Columbia MO child support lawyers: Our Columbia, MO divorce attorneys are compassionate and ready to assist you with your child support matter needs.
- Spousal maintenance and alimony in Columbia, MO: Are you looking for more information about spousal maintenance and alimony? Let our attorneys answer your questions. Click here for more information.
- Division of property and debts in Columbia, MO: We can help with your division of property and debt issues while you’re going through your divorce.
- Post-divorce modifications in Columbia, MO: Are you in need of a modification after your divorce? Our attorneys in Columbia, MO can assist.
- Columbia, MO dissolution of same-sex marriages: We represent clients in the dissolution of same-sex marriage in Columbia, MO. Find more information here.
COMMON DIVORCE QUESTIONS IN MISSOURI
Grounds for Divorce in Boone County
Parties in Missouri can get divorced when there are irreconcilable differences and there is no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. It is not necessary to show fault in Missouri to get divorced, but fault can impact property and debt division and spousal maintenance.
Residency Requirements in Columbia, Missouri
If you are going to get divorced in the State of Missouri, either you or your wife (or both of you) must be a resident in the State of Missouri and must have lived in the state for at least 90 days, before the filing of the Petition. This action should be filed in the county where the petitioner resides. Whoever is filing for divorce should generally do so in the county in which they live. In some cases, a motion for a change of venue is a possibility.
Name of the Court and Title of the Action/Parties in Boone County
Here are a few key names for you to make note of. First is the Circuit Court, where the petition for the divorce is filed. The first action is called a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The final action is called the Decree or Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Depending on which party is filing the divorce, you are either called the Petitioner (the party filing for divorce) or the Respondent (the one who gets served).
Legal Separation in Columbia, Missouri
Deciding to file for a divorce is difficult for many parties. For those individuals who may not yet be ready to take that big next step, there is another option for you. Missouri divorce laws state that parties may file for a legal separation when there is a reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. Many of the guidelines remain the same, in regards to things like spousal maintenance, division of property, child support, etc. One or both of the parties must have resided within the State of Missouri for at least 90 days before filing this petition. It would be best if you considered all options and factors at hand before making any legally binding decisions when it comes to legal separation and dissolution because a legal separation can be converted into a divorce.
Spousal Maintenance in Boone County
According to Missouri divorce laws, the court may grant spousal maintenance to either party. This depends on a finding that the party that is seeking spousal maintenance is not able to support themselves and lacks sufficient property to provide for their own needs; or that the party that is seeking spousal maintenance is the guardian of a child whose condition is such that it would be inappropriate for that party to seek outside employment.
The court will take in and consider the following factors in ruling the amount of spousal maintenance to be compensated:
- The time necessary for the spouse seeking support to acquire sufficient education or training
- The comparative earning capacity of each spouse
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The obligations and assets of the marriage, both separate and marital
- The duration of the marriage
- The age, physical, and mental condition of the spouse seeking support
- The ability of the supporting spouse to meet both his needs and the needs of the spouse seeking support
- The conduct of the parties during the marriage
- Any other relevant factors
The order establishing spousal maintenance must also state whether the award is modifiable or non-modifiable. If the award is modifiable, the court may modify the award only upon a showing that the circumstances have changed so considerably as to make the terms unreasonable.
Distribution of Property in Columbia, Missouri
Missouri divorce laws call for an equitable distribution of assets. This means that the court will divide the marital property between the parties as it deems equitable and fair, after setting aside each party’s separate property. This essentially means that you get to keep what belongs to you (property you owned prior to the marriage) and all shared property (property you owned during the marriage) will be divided equally between you and your ex-spouse. The court will consider the following factors in dividing the property between the parties:
- The economic circumstances of the parties at the time of the division of property
- The contribution of each spouse to the marital estate
- The value of the non-marital property set apart to each spouse
- The conduct of the parties during the marriage
- Custodial arrangements for minor children
Child Custody in Boone County
Missouri courts will determine the issue of child custody based on the child’s best interests. A partial list of aspects that the court will consider in determining the best interests of the child include:
- The wishes of the parents, the need of the child for a frequent and meaningful relationship with both parents
- The interaction and interrelationship of the child with both the parents and any siblings
- The wishes of the child
Before awarding custody, the court shall first consider awarding joint physical and legal custody to both parents. Suppose the court decides that joint physical and legal custody awarded to both parents is not in the best interests of the child. In that case, the court shall next consider joint physical custody, with one party being awarded sole legal custody. If that arrangement is also found to not be in the child’s best interests, the court shall consider joint legal custody with one party granted sole physical custody. If that arrangement is not in the best interests of the child, the court would next consider sole custody to either parent or a third-party custody arrangement.
There will be no preference given to either party based upon the parent’s age, sex, or financial status, nor because of the age or sex of the child, in determining custody.
When custody of a child is at issue in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage the court shall order the parents to attend educational classes regarding the effects of custody and dissolution of marriage upon the children. The court may also order the parents to attend an alternative dispute resolution program to resolve any disputes regarding issues of custody or visitation.
Child Support in Columbia, Missouri
As with every other domestic law issue, the court will determine child support. The court may order either or both parties to pay an equitable amount necessary to support their child or children. Under Supreme Court Rule 88.01 and Form 14, some of the factors the court will take into consideration while determining the amount of child support include:
- The financial needs and resources of the child
- The financial resources and needs of the parents
- The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not terminated
- The child’s physical and legal custody arrangements
Legally, your liability to pay child support shall end upon the death of the child, the marriage of the child, the child entering active duty in the military, the child becoming self-sufficient, the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age, or, if the child is enrolled in a secondary school program of education, when the child reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years of age.
You may also be required to provide health insurance for your child. In addition, if you were already paying for health insurance for your children and spouse before the divorce, you are obligated to continue paying for it from the time of filing until the divorce is final (meaning you cannot cancel health insurance for your children and spouse during the divorce proceedings).
Name Change in Boone County
A spouse may request a name change back to their former or maiden name. This request may be granted by the court upon the divorce.
Contact Columbia, Missouri Divorce Attorneys in Boone County for a Consultation
If you are thinking about a divorce in Boone County in Columbia, Missouri, and need representation from our Columbia divorce lawyers call us at 573-303-0595 or contact our law firm online.
Boone County (Columbia), MO Office: 573-303-0595. Click to learn more about this location. 1506 Chapel Hill Road, Suite H, Columbia, Missouri 65203.