Union, Missouri Divorce Attorneys | Franklin County

Franklin County (Union and Washington), Missouri Divorce Lawyer

The results of a divorce proceedings will impact you and your family for countless years to come. If you are going through a divorce proceeding, be sure that you have an experienced law firm behind you that is focused on divorce and family law.At Stange Law Firm, PC, our Franklin County divorce lawyers have the experience, the dedication and the skill to properly handle your case. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face unfamiliar legal issues with so much at stake. From our office in Franklin County, at 5 S. Oak Street, Union, Missouri 63084, you can count on us to be there with you at every step, constantly working to put you in the best possible situation as you move into this new phase of your life. No matter where you live in Franklin County, Stange Law Firm, PC can help you. Call us in Union at 636-388-0700.As outlined in their biographies, many of our attorneys have received awards and accolades for divorce and family law. In fact, both founding partners at our law firm have been recognized as Super Lawyer Rising Stars for Family Law. In addition to other awards, Kirk Stange has also been recognized as a Top 10 Family Law Attorney in Missouri by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.You also obtain more information about the Franklin County Circuit Court by going to the following links:

Franklin County Courthouse: Information on the Franklin County courthouse can be found here.
Missouri Judiciary Page on Franklin County Courthouse: Information regarding the Missouri Judiciary laws in Franklin county.
Directions to Franklin County Courthouse: View directions to the Franklin County Courthouse here.
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.

Ready to Boldly Protect Your Interests in Union, Missouri in Franklin County

Our attorneys are experienced litigators, and our opponents know that, while we will try and engage in reasonable settlement negotiations, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. While we always work to reach a fair settlement without the need for a long and costly legal battle, we are ready try your case to get you the best possible result if the circumstances call for it.We provide bold legal representation in all areas of divorce, including:

Child custody and visitation in Franklin County: Child custody and visitation information.
Franklin, County Child support: Child support laws in Franklin, County.
Franklin County Spousal maintenance and alimony: Information about spousal maintenance and alimony.
Division of property and debts in Franklin County: Information regarding division of property and debt in Franklin county.
Franklin County Post-divorce modifications: Post- divorce modifications in Franklin county.

From our webpage, you can also read articles about family law, view informational videos, seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application or view support calculators for Missouri and Illinois.

COMMON DIVORCE QUESTIONS IN MISSOURI

Grounds for Divorce in Franklin County

Parties in Missouri can get divorced when a 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 Union, 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, prior to 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 Franklin County

Here are a few key names for you to make a note of. First is the Circuit Court, where the petition for 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 Union, 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 prior to filing this petition. It is important that you consider all options and factors at hand prior to 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 Franklin 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
And 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 after showing that the circumstances have changed so considerably as to make the terms unreasonable.

Distribution of Property in Union, 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 Franklin County

Missouri courts will determine the issue of child custody based upon the best interests of the child. 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

Prior to awarding custody, the court shall first consider awarding joint physical and legal custody to both parents. If the court decides that joint physical and legal custody awarded to both parents is not in the best interests of the child, 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 best interests of the child, the court shall next 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 Union, Missouri

As with every other family 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. Pursuant to 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 reaching 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 prior to 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 Franklin 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 a Franklin County/Union, Missouri Divorce Attorney

Are you looking to hire an experienced family law attorney to help you with your divorce or separation matter? If so, contact us online or by phone to schedule a confidential consultation at our Union Office. To find out more information about our Franklin County Office, see the information below:Franklin County (Union), MO Office: 636-388-0700 Click to learn more about this location. 5 South Oak, Union, Missouri 63084.