In Missouri divorce court there are two main players. There is the petitioner, which is the spouse that files for the divorce. Then, there is the respondent, who is the other member of the marriage.
For a Missouri divorce to be able to be filed, their reasons must be legitimate. They can file because the marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no possible way it can be fixed. After stating this they must go to court and the court will decide if the marriage is really irretrievably broken or if it is something that they could work through as time moves on.
The main documents needed for a Missouri divorce, or the Missouri divorce records, are Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. These two documents are vital. They are the min documents to finalize a divorce in Missouri which is also known as a dissolution of marriage. There can be anywhere from ten to twenty more documents needed to finalize the divorce.
Some of the things that are resolved during the divorce are the property distribution, the name changing option, spousal and child support, and child custody. Missouri is an equal distribution state. So when this problem arises, the property is split evenly between the two divorcees. The name changing option for the woman must be filled and they must make a petition. After it is resolved they must run their new name in the local paper. Spousal support is not very common, but it is when once spouse needs financial help from the other spouse because they are not able to support themselves usually because of mental or physical problems. The amount will depend on the former spouse’s predicament.
One of the most important parts of a Missouri divorce, or any divorce for that matter is usually about the children. Child support is based on the income shares model. The child may only receive child support until he or she is eighteen unless they are mentally handicapped.
Child custody usually is the messiest part of a divorce. The state of Missouri tries to make the experience as lest traumatizing as possible on the child. When choosing what to do the court asks the child where he or she would like to go. They also consider the child’s need of both parents. They also consider which parent would be most likely to allow the child so see the child’s other parent. Other concerns are: the parents’ mental and physical stability, how well the child has adjusted to his or her environment, and the wishes of the child or children’s parents.