» Child Support
Child Neglect Shown in recent Decision
February 5th, 2011
In a recent decision by the Missouri Court of Appeals, clear, cogent and convincing evidence supported a finding of neglect in protecting the child, maintaining the household, and supervising the child. “If a parent is unable to pay for all of…
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Less than 1 year before paternity "disestablishment" statute of limitations goes into effect
January 16th, 2011
Missouri’s paternity disestablishment law, enacted in August 2009, allows men who have been declared the father of a child by a court or the Division of Family Services to set aside (overrule) the finding of paternity and terminate child support an…
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Missouri no fault divorce - what it does and does not mean
November 2nd, 2010
Similar to other states, Missouri is a modified no-fault divorce state. However, there is some misconception out there about what this actually means for divorcing parties in Missouri. Modified no-fault divorce means that a party does not have to pro…
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Court clarifies confusing child support statute pertaining to college course requirements:
August 24th, 2010
The Missouri statute that mandates the continuation of child support after age 18 if the child attends college was amended in 2007, and provisions were added that are somewhat contradictory. In a recent ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Co…
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If you pay child support per a Missouri judicial or administrative order and your income is reduced or lost - A Motion to Modify is required.
June 30th, 2010
In today’s turbulent economic climate, where job losses or reductions in income are frequent, it is critical to immediately deal with a child support order upon any significant change in income. Failure to act quickly can lead to an even greater fi…
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Categories: Child Support, Divorce, Marriage and Family, Military Divorce, Military Family Law, Modifications, Paternity, Trials
When Child Support Terminates in Missouri; Requirements for the Continuation of Child Support while the Child Attends College
April 4th, 2010
Generally, in Missouri child support terminates when a child dies, marries, enters the military, becomes self supporting, or turns 18. However, child support can continue after age 18, and all the way to age 21, if the following requirements are met:…
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Bankruptcy Filings Up Substantially in 2009
March 13th, 2010
As a practicing family and bankruptcy attorney, I consistently run into cases where people are dealing with both a divorce (or other family law related matter), as well as a bankruptcy. This is because, many times, one is the cause of the other (this…
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Temporary breaks in post-secondary vocational education do not violate the continuous enrollment requirement of Missouri's post-secondary education child support law.
February 27th, 2010
Child support in Missouri can continue after the child turns 18, and until 21, if the child is attending a post high school education program, provided that several requirements are met. (See RSMo section 452.340.5 below in the extended post). One su…
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Recent Case: Termination Of Incarcerated Parent's Rights Reversed
February 8th, 2010
In a recent termination of parental rights case, the Court stated that statutory grounds of abandonment, neglect, and unfitness require clear, cogent, and convincing evidence. The Incarcerated parent’s diligent efforts at maintaining contact with c…
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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
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…
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Mark A. Wortman
Mark A. Wortman is a Missouri family law attorney who handles only divorce and family law matters within the state. Due to this specialty, Mark Wortman has handled thousands of Missouri divorce and family cases and has practiced extensively in front… Read More
