Missouri Law Summary: Divorce and Legal Separation

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Below is some information regarding divorce laws in Missouri, including information on the petitioner and respondent’s duties. Divorce in Missouri is referred to as Dissolution of Marriage. In Missouri, there is only one ground for dissolution of marriage: There remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved and that therefore the marriage is irreversibly broken. If both of the parties by petition or have stated under oath or affirmation that the marriage is irreversibly broken, or one of the parties has made the accusation and the other has not denied it, the court, after considering the petition or statement, and after a hearing on the subject, shall make a finding whether or not the marriage is irreversibly broken and shall enter an order of dissolution or dismissal accordingly.
 
If one of the parties has denied under oath or affirmation that the marriage is irreversibly broken, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospect of reconciliation, and after hearing the evidence shall make a finding whether or not the marriage is irreversibly broken.
 
In order to make a finding that the marriage is irreversibly broken, the Petitioner must please the court on one or more of the following facts; that the Respondent has committed adultery and the Petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the Respondent, that the Respondent has behaved in such a way that the Petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the Respondent, that the Respondent has abandoned the Petitioner for a continuous period of at least six months before filing the Petition, that both parties have lived separate and apart by mutual consent for a continuous period of 12 months immediately preceding the filing of the Petition; or that both parties have lived separate and apart for a continuous period of at least 24 months preceding the filing of the Petition, if the court makes a finding that the marriage is irreversibly broken, it shall enter an order of dissolution. If not, it may enter an order of dismissal.
 
The court may also continue the matter for further hearing not less than 30 days or more than six months later, or as soon thereafter as the hearing may be planned, and may propose to the parties that they seek counseling. No court shall require counseling as a condition for receiving a decree.

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For more information on Divorce in Missouri or information about hiring a family law attorney, visit Stange Law Firm’s page on Preparing for divorce in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska: Hiring the right attorney or if you want to set up a consultation with one of our Divorce and Family Law Attorneys view their profiles here.  You can also contact us online or call us at 855-805-0595.

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Helpful Information for Individuals Going Through a Divorce

You can also find out the following topics on our webpage by clicking below or looking at the menus:
Dissolution of Marriage
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Legal Separation
There are some instances where married parties are separated, but are unsure whether their marriage can be reconciled or may later need to be dissolved. We can help with a legal separation if thi...
Domestic Litigation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Annulment
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Collaborative Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontes
Paternity Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Guardianships and conservatorships Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a d
Surrogacy Agreements
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Name Change
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Orders of Protection
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Step-parent adoption
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Adoption
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Minor emancipation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Grandparents' rights
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Appeals
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Child Support
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Child Custody
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Juvenile Matters
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Modifications
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Contempt
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
Military Divorce
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
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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 MissouriIllinoisKansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Indiana, or Iowa.

If you are looking to find and hire a child custody lawyer, contact us online or by phone to schedule a consultation at any of our convenient locations.

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