Missouri Divorce & Family Law Blog

Unmarried Parents: What you should know and do when served with an administrative order for child support (from the Family Support Division)

October 7th, 2009

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In Missouri, there are two primary ways that a non-married parent can seek to establish child support, judicial and administrative. A judicial action is through the circuit court, and an administrative action is through the Family Support Division. T… Read More

Parent Relocation - Finding that Children Could Not Relocate Reversed

September 28th, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

In today’s highly mobile society, is is not uncommon at all for one parent to desire to relocate to another city or state. While Courts recognize that a parent cannot realistically be confined to one geographic location, the greater the distanc… Read More

New Form 14 Child Support Calculation Sheet Effective August 28, 2009

August 29th, 2009

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Mark A. Wortman

The Missouri Supreme Court has issued an order repealing the prior Form 14 Presumed Child Support Calculation Sheet effective August 28, 2009., and adopting a new Form 14. The only change is that the dates of birth of the children are no longer to ap… Read More

Recent Ruling: Property Division Accounts for Squandering

August 15th, 2009

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Mark A. Wortman

In a recent ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, the court upheld a trial court ruling where marital assets were divided unequally between the spouses, the division included money spent by a spouse after separation, and spousal maintenance was aw… Read More

New Missouri Paternity law signed by Governor takes effect August 28, 2009

July 8th, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

On July 7, 2009, Governor Jay Nixon signed into law senate bill number 141, which modifies Missouri’s paternity laws, effective August 28, 2009. The new law revises sections 210.826, and 210.828 and adds a new section 210.854, which will now allow… Read More

Missouri Legislature passes Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and eliminates requirement that social security numbers be included in family law pleadings and judgments

June 2nd, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

Newly passed legislation will finally enact the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act as of August 28, 2009. Missouri was one of only three states that had not yet enacted the UCCJEA. This act will replace the current Uniform Child C… Read More

Be Careful When Incorporating Maintenance Into Marital Settlement Agreement

April 26th, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

An issue that I have seen a few times, and that was recently before the Court of Appeals for the Southern District, involves the incorporation of maintenance (alimony) provisions into a Marital Settlement Agreement, where the agreement provides that… Read More

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) wins approval in Missouri House

April 3rd, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement act (UCCJEA) may finally win approval in this year’s legislative session. The measure is part of the Omnibus Judicial Bill (HB 187) that was perfected by a voice vote in the House this week. Th… Read More

Division of Personal Injury Settlements in Missouri Divorce

February 28th, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

In a divorce proceeding, a personal injury settlement can be a major asset that will have to be divided between the parties. Missouri uses the “analytical” approach to determine whether the settlement proceeds are marital, non-marital, or… Read More

Tenancy by the Entireties exemption for Married Couples Holds - Case Law Update

February 8th, 2009

Posted By

Mark A. Wortman

The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District of Missouri has just recently upheld the Missouri exemption (protection from creditors) for Tenancy by the Entirety for jointly owned property by married couples. Tenancy by the Entireties is a… Read More

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