» Family Law
How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyer for YOU
April 15th, 2019
Divorce is never a pleasant process, but it does not always have to be war. Once the decision has been made—by you, by your spouse, or by both of you—to file for divorce, you must consider how you want to proceed. This includes deciding whether t…
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In Missouri, party waives right to appeal when a Judgment is entered by consent/agreement
February 12th, 2019
Party waives right to appeal when a Judgment is entered by consent/agreement. Recent case from the Missouri Court of Appeals: Parties cannot appeal a Judgment that was entered by Stipulation (agreement). Father and Mother entered into a stipulation w…
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Custody alternating year to year approved
December 15th, 2018
Recent case: Uncommon alternating year parenting schedule approved for military family Mother appeals the judgment of the circuit court granting the motion of Father, which modified the schedule of physical custody (parenting time) and which modified…
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Categories: Custody and Visitation, Family Law, Military Divorce, Military Family Law, Modifications
Guardianship of children approved upon showing of unfitness and inability to parent
August 19th, 2017
Recent Case from the Court of Appeals: Letters of Guardianship Affirmed Mother appeals from the trial court’s judgment, which appointed Petitioners as guardians over two minor children. The trial court’s judgment found the children’s parents (M…
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Modification of Another State’s Custody Order Depends on The Other State Releasing Jurisdiction
June 24th, 2017
Recent Case from the Court of Appeals: States have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over their custody judgments until released by the rendering state. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act conditions authority of any State to…
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New Missouri Child Support Guidelines and Amounts to take effect July 1, 2017
November 19th, 2016
From the Supreme Court of Missouri: “It is ordered that effective July 1, 2017, Civil Procedure Form No. 14, entitled “Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet”, along with the directions, comments for use, and examples for comple…
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Failure to include holiday or vacation schedule in parenting plan
November 14th, 2016
Recent Case from the Missouri Court of Appeals: Parenting plans must contain holiday and vacation schedules; voluntary reduction in income does not support child support reduction Mother appeals the trial court’s judgment of modification for a fail…
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Restrictions on visitation, and subsequent removal of them, both require a ruling on child’s best interest
October 29th, 2016
Recent Case: When a custody order contains restricted visitation, those restrictions must not be lifted, or even phased out, until a subsequent hearing to determine whether removal of the restrictions is in the child’s best interest. Evidence t…
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New Missouri custody law seeks to maximize time with each parent, takes effect August 28
August 21st, 2016
Governor Jay Nixon signed House bill 1550 into law on July 1, 2016, which takes effect August 28, 2016. This law has been dubbed as an equal custody law, or 50/50 custody law, but that is not an entirely accurate description. Rather than specifically…
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Marijuana use not grounds for termination of parental rights
July 19th, 2016
Recent Case: Marijuana use under the level of chemical dependency not grounds for termination of parental rights Father appeals from the judgment terminating his parental rights. Grounds for termination of parental rights require clear and convincing…
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Mark A. Wortman
Kansas City, Missouri family law attorney Mark A. Wortman handles only divorce and family law matters, and practices only in the State of Missouri. Due to this specialty, Mark Wortman has handled thousands of Missouri divorce and family cases and has… Read More
