Divorce Overview - Part 1

OVERVIEW OF DIVORCE IN MISSOURI- PART 1 So you want to learn more about the divorce process in Missouri? This publication can help. The purpose of this article is to give you a greater understanding of the terms, processes, and procedures involved in Missouri divorce laws. It is not a substitute for personal legal advice from a qualified attorney. Nor does the receipt of this article form any attorney/client relationship. It is for information purposes only. Sir Francis Bacon said that knowledge is power. When you read this article, you are arming yourself with the power to understand the legal process as it applies to divorce. The divorce process will be far less scary once you understand how the law can help you get from “married and miserable” to “single and hopeful.”

Here we go! QUESTION: WHERE DO I GET DIVORCED? ANSWER: You may have been married in the Bahamas, Boise, or Branson, but now you are living in Missouri. Therefore, your divorce will take place in Missouri, and usually in the county in which you or your spouse lives. QUESTION: HOW LONG MUST I HAVE LIVED IN MISSOURI TO GET DIVORCED HERE? ANSWER: You can get divorced in Missouri if you have lived in the state for at least 90 days before the filing of the divorce action. If you and your spouse have children, the kids must have lived here for 6 months prior to the filing of the divorce action for Missouri to be the state for the divorce. The divorce will usually take place in the county where you or your spouse lives. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. If the kids haven't been in Missouri for six months, but your stay in another state was merely temporary, Missouri may still be the proper state for the divorce. Other exceptions to the residency rule may apply. Only a lawyer knowledgeable in divorce law can tell you all of the rules, which brings us to the #1 rule of the law: RULE #1 OF THE LAW: There are exceptions to every rule. This is what the law is all about. There are rules, and there are exceptions. This article is meant to tell you how things GENERALLY work in the TYPICAL divorce. You should always consult a lawyer to learn about how the rules apply to your specific situation. By Ann R. Littell Mills Call our office at 417-869-9888 for more information or email ann@courtneyandmills.com