Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in Missouri

Residency Requirements

90 days in Missouri before divorce can be granted (can file earlier).

Waiting Period

30 days minimum after filing - cannot be waived or shortened.

Filing Process

1. File Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in county where either spouse resides


2. Petition must be verified (signed under oath before notary)


3. Self-represented parties must complete Litigant Awareness Program

Parenting Requirements

• Submit Parenting Plan with petition or within 30 days


• Parent education required if minor children involved

Grounds

No-fault: "irretrievably broken."

Family Courts in Missouri

Missouri's Family Court system was established in 1993 within each Circuit Court.

Family Court Division

A designated division within the Circuit Court handling:

• Divorce and domestic relations


• Child custody and adoption


• Adult abuse and name changes

Domestic Section

Handles cases from both attorneys and self-represented parties:

• Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation


• Paternity, Child Support, Custody


• Modifications, Contempt


• Adult/Child Abuse Protective Orders

Resources

Supreme Court Rule 88 governs procedures. Missouri Courts website (courts.mo.gov) provides approved forms.

Filing Fees in Missouri

Fee Ranges by County

• Range: $105-$200+


• St. Louis County: $140


• Lawrence County: $105.50


• Jasper County: $127.50 + $45 service fee

Additional Costs

Typically $25 for serving divorce papers.

Fee Waivers

File Motion and Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

Typical Total Costs

• Uncontested: $500-$1,500


• Contested: $5,000-$15,000+

Timeline

Most cases take 2-3 months after filing; contested cases longer.

Free Legal Resources in Missouri

Missouri Legal Services (LSMO)

lsmo.org - Collection of four legal aid programs statewide:

• Legal Services of Eastern Missouri: lsem.org


• Legal Aid of Western Missouri: lawmo.org - 40 counties (Kansas City, Joplin, St. Joseph, Warrensburg)


• Legal Services of Southern Missouri


• Mid-Missouri Legal Services: 573-442-0116 / 800-568-4931 (Columbia)

Online Resources

• Missouri Free Legal Answers: missouri.freelegalanswers.org


• Self-Represent Missouri: selfrepresent.mo.gov - approved forms

M.A.R.C.H. Inc.

Free mediation for qualifying families.

Note

Due to limited resources, many legal aid family cases require domestic violence involvement.

Critical Deadlines in Missouri

Two Key Time Requirements

• Residency: 90 days in Missouri before divorce can be granted


• Waiting Period: 30 days after filing (cannot be shortened or waived)

Parenting Plan

Must submit with petition or within 30 days after filing.

Relocation Notice

• 60 days written notice required for moves 50+ miles out of state


• Co-parent has 30 days to object

Modification

Requires significant change in circumstances affecting child's best interests.

The "30 Day Divorce"

Refers to the minimum time to finalize after filing.

Missouri's Unique Family Law Features

50/50 Custody Presumption (August 2023)

Senate Bill 35 makes Missouri among the first states requiring courts to start with equal parenting time presumption.

• Rebuttable by agreement or domestic violence pattern

Property Division is NOT 50/50

Missouri uses equitable distribution based on fairness, not equal split.

Gender Neutral

Law prohibits custody decisions based on parent's gender.

Form 14

Mandatory child support worksheet - new version takes effect January 2026.

Litigant Awareness Program

Required for self-represented parties.

Relocation Rules

60-day advance notice for 50+ mile moves out of state.