Family Law Firm Representing Clients in Franklin County, Union and Washington, MO
At Stange Law Firm, PC, we exclusively handle family law and domestic relations matters only, which gives us the focus to resolve even the most complex family law issues case our clients. From our office in Franklin Office, at 5 S. Oak Street, Union, Missouri 63084, we are a law firm you can trust and rely on to take your matter seriously.
We know that when families go through the court system, you have everything on the line. However, an experienced, bold attorney can handle the legal issues that affect your family so you can move forward in life.
You also obtain more information about the Franklin County Circuit Court by going to the following links:
- Franklin County Courthouse: Location of the Franklin County Courthouse.
- Missouri Judiciary Page on Franklin County Courthouse: For further information on the Franklin County Courthouse, click this link.
- Directions to Franklin County Courthouse: This link will help you navigate to the Courthouse in Franklin County.
- Child Support Estimate: Wondering how much your child support is going to be? Click this link for an estimate.
To schedule a confidential initial consultation with our compassionate and bold Franklin County family law attorneys, call 636-388-0700 or contact our law firm online.
From our webpage, you can also read articles about family law, view informational videos, and seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application, or view support calculators for Missouri and Illinois.
Representing Clients in Family Law Matters in Franklin County, Union, and Washington, Missouri
Our knowledge and focus on family law help us reach successful outcomes on a variety of issues for clients. We represent clients in numerous family law matters, including:
- Dissolution and separation in Franklin County: A dissolution is an emotional time for any client, that’s why we offer devoted separation and dissolution attorneys to assist.
- High Asset Dissolution in Franklin County: Our attorneys understand that protecting your assets is very important.
- Franklin County, MO Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: We can represent you in your prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
- Paternity in Franklin County: Our attorneys can represent clients during their paternity matters in Franklin County.
- Franklin County Guardianships and conservatorships: Our knowledgeable attorneys can help with your guardianship or conservatorship case.
- Surrogacy in Franklin County: We can assist clients with their surrogacy negotiating.
- Franklin County Step-parent adoption: Becoming a step-parent is important. Our attorneys can help the process.
- Adoption in Franklin County: Adopting a new family member into your life is an exciting process! Our attorneys can assist.
- Franklin County Minor emancipation: Our attorneys can help either the teen or the parent in a minor emancipation case.
- Grandparents’ rights in Franklin County: Grandparents have rights too. Our attorneys can assist.
- Appeals in Franklin County: We represent clients and their appeals in court.
- Franklin County Mediation and Collaborative Family Law: Our trained mediation and collaborative attorneys can help.
- Child Support in Franklin County: We offer experienced child support attorneys.
- Child Custody Attorneys in Franklin County: Our child custody attorneys can assist their clients in Franklin County.
- Franklin County Juvenile Matters Attorneys: We represent clients and their juvenile matters.
- Modifications in Franklin County: Sometimes your family law matter needs to be modified. Our attorneys can help.
- Franklin County Contempt and family access motions: Our attorneys represent clients in contempt and family access motions cases.
- Military Dissolution in Franklin County: We would be honored to represent a client who is in need of a military dissolution attorney.
- Name Change in Franklin County: Our attorneys can legally help you change your name.
- Franklin County Orders of Protection Lawyers: We can assist in filing for a restraining order so you feel more safe.
- Same-Sex Dissolution in Franklin County: We represent individuals in same-sex dissolution.
Our attorneys have received numerous awards and accolades for family law as outlined in their individual biographies.
When you have family law needs in Franklin County, Union, and Washington, MO, you can rely on Stange Law Firm to fight for you.
What is Family Law in Union, MO?
Family law refers to the practice of helping individuals with family relationships. It includes helping families pick up the pieces of their lives while guiding them through this difficult time. Family law matters may include the dissolution of marriage, child custody and child support matters, adoption, paternity, and father’s rights issues. Because of the nature of these matters, family law cases tend to be very emotional and strenuous for the parties involved. At Stange Law Firm, PC, our attorneys are there to assist their clients through this difficult process. Family law practice may involve any of the following topics:
Dissolution in Franklin County
Dissolution is the process of breaking the bonds of marriage. When parties get married, they form a legal relationship. If they decide that they would no longer like to be a part of this relationship, they must file the necessary paperwork with the courts.
Based on the state in which the dissolution is being filed, the rules and procedures may vary. While all states allow for no-fault dissolution, some states require a period of separation. Be advised that most states also have residency requirements that come into play when filing for dissolution.
Each state has its guidelines for how to divide assets and debts in a dissolution, but the rules are similar in most states. In most cases, the court looks to make an equitable division of the assets. This doesn’t necessarily mean dividing the assets is equal for both parties. The court can look at things like the parties’ contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the needs of each party after the dissolution. Misconduct such as infidelity or domestic abuse can also play into the court’s decision in terms of property and debt division and spousal maintenance.
Dissolution is Civil Litigation in Union, MO
Dissolution cases are heard in state court. Similar to other forms of civil litigation, parties may work to gather evidence through depositions, interrogatories, and subpoenas. Parties may also participate in mediation sessions, the collaborative process, and other forms of conflict resolution. In many scenarios, cases may be settled before a trial. However, some cases that involve contested dissolution, high assets, and certain other factors may have to go to trial.
Maintenance and Spousal Support in Franklin County
One of the most difficult issues in a dissolution case is often maintenance and spousal support (previously referred to as alimony). Some states use a formula to determine the amount of support. In other cases, it’s left to the judge’s discretion. Even in cases where the court uses a formula, it’s still important to make sure that the court uses the proper procedures to arrive at the correct amount of support.
One of the considerations for spousal support is the length of the marriage. Other factors include the parent’s ability to pay support and the amount of debt that was jointly accumulated. The court also takes into account the age of the parties involved and their ability to work. Finally, they consider the misconduct of either party. The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC work to present evidence of these factors to the court for them to be able to reach the best possible result.
Pre and Post-nuptial Agreements in Union, MO
A prenuptial agreement is a contract that parties sign before they get married. Prenuptial agreements should contain detailed descriptions of the significant property and debts owned by each partner. Depending on the nature and complexity of these assets, a prenuptial agreement can be just a few pages – or a few hundred. At Stange Law Firm, we draft each prenuptial so that it meets the exact needs of our clients. Some matters can’t be included in a prenuptial agreement like child custody and child support agreements. Otherwise, the parties can create an agreement that outlines matters like separate property, distribution of assets, and spousal support in the event of a dissolution of marriage. When the parties enter into this kind of agreement after they get married, it’s a postnuptial agreement.
Child Custody in Franklin County
Child custody is one of the most deliberated and emotional areas of family law. When it comes to custody of the child, most states base their decisions on the best interests of the child. The court takes into account which parent has the greater relationship with the child, whether or not each parent can provide a stable home environment for the child, and whether either parent has a history of substance abuse or a criminal background.
If a parenting plan can be established by the parents, the court will usually follow this agreement. However, if the parents cannot agree, the family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC will present evidence to the court regarding the child’s best interests. This might involve presenting school records, testimony of a psychologist or substance abuse counselor, criminal records, and even medical records. Our attorneys will work to gather the necessary evidence, while also ensuring to consider the rules of evidence that are applicable in the particular local jurisdiction.
Legal and Physical Custody in Union, MO
Most states divide custody into legal custody and physical custody. Physical custody is who actually, physically has the child at any given time. Legal custody is who makes major decisions about the child. Physical custody and legal custody can be shared between the parties, or the court may award primary custody to one of the parents. It’s also possible to share one type of custody without sharing the other.
Family lawyers must understand how the courts determine custody in their jurisdiction because rules between states can vary slightly. The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC help their clients understand the law and form realistic expectations so that they can make wise decisions as their case moves forward.
Child Support in Franklin County
Children have the right to support from both of their parents. The purpose of child support is to provide the child with financial resources as if their parents lived under one roof, although it is common in most child support matters that the child’s parents live in separate households. The courts presume that the parent who cares for the child will provide direct support for the child.
Each state has its respective formula for calculating proper child support amounts. Most of these formulas factor in each parent’s income, the allowable tax deductions and other expenses, a child’s health insurance expenses, and whether they have childcare needs. Certain states also factor in how much time each parent spends with the child, although this is not common practice by all states.
The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC work with their clients to ensure the child support is fairly and accurately calculated. If the other parent attempts to hide income or is unemployed by choice, an experienced family attorney can assist their client in showing the entire situation. A family lawyer also reviews the calculations made by the court to ensure that no errors were made that could result in an unfair and inaccurate calculation of child support.
Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
Another sensitive area of family law practice involves abuse and neglect. If the state is under the assumption that a parent is not able to properly care for a child, they may choose to begin abuse and neglect proceedings. The state may represent a parent who is accused of abuse or neglect, or they might even represent a child.
When family lawyers represent clients in abuse and neglect proceedings, they are working to help defend their clients against the reports of abuse or neglect, or they are helping their clients regain custody of their children by assisting them in complying with services and other requirements. Because the standard for terminating parental rights is high, family lawyers work hard to advocate for their clients in a situation where the state is seeking to terminate those rights.
Contact a Franklin County, Missouri Family Law Attorney for a Consultation
When you have a family law concern in Franklin County or anywhere in the surrounding areas, and are looking to hire a family law attorney, contact us online or by phone to schedule a confidential consultation at any of our convenient locations, including:
Franklin County (Union), MO Office: 636-388-0700 Click to learn more about this location. 5 South Oak Street, Union, Missouri 63084.