Court clarifies confusing child support statute pertaining to college course requirements:

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… Read More
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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.

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… Read More
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When Child Support Terminates in Missouri; Requirements for the Continuation of Child Support while the Child Attends College

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:… Read More
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Recent Case: Termination Of Incarcerated Parent's Rights Reversed

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… Read More
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Full Custody, Joint Custody, Sole or Split? Or maybe 50/50. What do I really want and what exactly do these words mean in Missouri anyway?

In cases involving children, the Court must, either by agreement or by trial, set up some sort of custodial arrangement for the kids involved. There are many options available, all of which fit under a just a few legally recognized categories. There… Read More
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Parenting Plan that Vaguely Assigns Decision Making Responsibilities to Third Party Unenforceable.

In a recent ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, in a custody modification proceeding, the trial court’s modified parenting plan delegated the authority to make all medical, educational, and extracurricular decisions for one of the parents’ t… Read More
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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)

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
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Parent Relocation - Finding that Children Could Not Relocate Reversed

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

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
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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

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
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