Most every couple starts their relationship with the goal of it lasting forever, however, sometimes things don’t work out that way. It’s when St. Louis spouses reach a point at which their marriage cannot be saved that Missouri law allows a married couple to pursue a divorce.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Couples in most every state must be legally separated for a designated period before they can move forward in filing for divorce. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Missouri for at least 90 days before they will be allowed to file for divorce in this state.
Missouri is a no-fault state. This means that neither spouse has to prove fault for their divorce to ultimately be granted.
This doesn’t mean that the court won’t look at a variety of issues before deciding whether to grant a couple’s request for a dissolution of their marriage. Judges often take into account whether a spouse committed adultery, had an issue with the other’s behavior and other issues when deciding whether to grant a couple a dissolution of their marriage.
Judges also often take into account whether the couple has been separated for at least 24 months before the divorce is filed. Missouri spouses may only need to have been separated for 12 months if they both agree that they are looking for a dissolution. This is especially the case if the petitioning spouse was abandoned by the respondent for at least six months before the divorce was filed. This may also be the case if one of the spouses is involved in nefarious activities.
There are a variety of factors the court must decide on before a divorce will be granted. Those factors include the division of property, child custody or visitation and monthly support payments such as alimony.
Divorces are often complicated. Spouses often find themselves at odds with one another. This makes it difficult for them to reach a consensus on their own. A divorce attorney can help with that. Your St. Louis lawyer can serve as your advocate when your emotions are running thin and your ability to make the best decisions for you and your family is the most difficult thing for you to have to do.
