Missouri Divorce & Family Law Blog

Staying informed is crucial when dealing with complex legal issues. Our blog provides insights and updates on Missouri divorce and family law, offering valuable information to help you navigate your case.

Case Law Update: Post-Judgment Procedures Pitfall

Susan J. Southard, Petitioner/Respondent v. James A. Southard, Respondent/Appellant, No. 89217 (Mo. App. E.D., November 27, 2007), Romines, J. This was an action for modification heard by a family court commissioner. The commissioner’s findings… Read More
Categories: Legal Proceedings

Recent Case: Amount Due for Overpaid Child Support Was Not Proved

Administrative child support order was void because of prior judicial order. Court of Appeals denies motion to supplement record with evidence, of non-custodial parent’s liability for child support, not received in Circuit Court. But non-custod… Read More
Categories: Child Support

How to Keep Divorce From Having Long Lasting Effects on Children

Yearly more than 1 million children experience the divorce of their parents. The process and trauma these children experience will normally begin long before there is an actual divorce. It will begin with parental disagreements, anger and continue to… Read More
Categories: Divorce

We Decided to Divorce: Do I Want the House?

The following post recently appeared on Pennsylvania Family Law, a great family law blog. The post brings up several points that should be considered when dividing the marital property, particularly the home, which in the current housing market, is a… Read More

Missouri Law Extends California Child Support Order - Recent Case

California child support order was due to expire, but Mother moved to Missouri and obtained modification. Father failed to appeal modification, and to impeach it when enforced or in his own action, and so waived personal jurisdiction. Father sought t… Read More
Categories: Child Support

Attorneys Fee Award Requires Evidence

The Issue of attorney’s fees often comes up in domestic litigation. Missouri has adopted the American Rule regarding attorney’s fees in that, absent statutory authorization or contractual agreemtn, each litigant, absent few exceptions, mu… Read More

Children, Divorce and the Holidays- How to make the best out of a stressful time

The holiday season conjures up many images for all of us. The most universal of these images is one that includes happy excited children. However, for children from divorced or separated families, the holidays can be a nightmare. What other children… Read More
Categories: Divorce

Child's Best Interest No Basis for Summary Proceeding on Paternity

Recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals: In an action to establish paternity under Uniform Parentage Act, preliminary advisory hearing to determine whether action is in Child’s best interest shall be informal, without applying law of… Read More
Categories: Paternity

Missouri Recudtion in Age for Termination of Child Support from 22 to 21 Likely applies Retroactively to Existing Support Orders

I recently posted an article discussing Missouri Senate Bill No. 25 which, affects, among other things, the age of emancipation of children for purposes of child support. Under the old law, child support would continue until the child reaches the age… Read More
Categories: Child Support

Award's of Attorney's Fees in Divorce and Imputation of Income for Child Support - Recent Case

Discussed below is a recent ruling from the Western District of Missouri, where the Court, among other things, upheld the trial Court’s ruling of imputation of income for child support and the award of attorney’s fees. For calculation of… Read More