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Welcome to the law office of Mark A. Wortman. Mark is a Kansas City divorce and family law attorney with over 23 years of experience. Because Mark focuses only on Missouri divorce and family law — and has put all of his experience in these areas — he has more knowledge and expertise in these areas than a general practice firm. He knows the law, the courts, and probably the opposing counsel. So he knows he can help you.
Mark is the author of the Missouri Divorce and Family Law Blog, which we welcome you to visit. The firm has provided all of the information on this website to be of help to you if you need assistance in a Missouri family law matter.
We work together to provide people going through one of life’s most difficult transitions with the guidance and support they need. We help you understand what to expect, explain your options and the legal process, and ensure that you know you’re not alone in the family law process. We’re at your side every step of the way.
In Missouri, a divorce proceeding is used to end a lawful, valid marriage. An annulment, on the other hand, ends a marriage that was not valid to begin with. If a marriage is declared null and void, it is as if it never existed in the first place. An annulment is only granted in very limited situations, such as in the cases where spouses are relatives, bigamous marriages, lack of mental capacity, fraud of an intimate nature, duress, a spouse is underage, and a few other reasons. Note that an annulment will not be granted simply because the marriage is of short duration, and annulment proceeding is not cheaper or faster than a divorce.
This is a difficult question to answer, as every case is different. It also depends on how the attorney charges the case. Uncontested divorce cases are almost always cheaper than contested cases, and fixed fee billing arrangements are almost always cheaper than hourly arrangements. To get a true cost of the case, you usually must meet with your divorce attorney and discuss all of the issues in the case. The complexity of the case a factor, as well as the cooperativeness and reasonableness of the parties. With our Kansas City law firm, we almost always utilize a tiered fixed fee billing arrangement, where all fees are clearly explained up front with no hidden charges or unexpected costs.
Spousal maintenance is awarded in Missouri in some cases. There is no formula for the calculation however, and the award of maintenance is determined on a case by case basis. A rule of thumb is that the marriage must be lengthy (10 years or so — but this is not a legal requirement), and there is a large difference in income between the parties. Spousal maintenance is based on need and ability to pay, and is not used as a punishment for misconduct during the marriage. The duration of the maintenance may be limited or unlimited, depending on the circumstances.
Your choice of family law firm can affect your whole future and that of your children. It’s important to work with a law firm that will give you the advice and support you need throughout the legal process, and a strong foundation for your life after your family law case.
Knowledge is power, and we believe that the more you know about family law, the better equipped you will be to make decisions in your case. Review our latest articles.
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