Online divorce is a quick and affordable way to prepare for filing without leaving home. Available for all couples attempting a DIY divorce, online divorce services allow saving thousands of dollars in legal fees and obtain ready-to-sign divorce papers in only two business days.
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Contested Divorce
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DIY Divorce
Petitioner's uncontested divorce documents:
Response papers:
The court forms required to be filed in a particular divorce case can vary depending on the jurisdiction where the case is started and each couple's unique circumstances.
To get the necessary divorce papers, the spouses can visit the Circuit Clerk's Office, download basic forms from Missouri Courts' self-help resources, or take advantage of CompleteCase.com.
Anyway, selecting and filling out divorce forms can be time-consuming and complicated. In addition, this process requires a responsible approach, as the court can reject the case if there is even a minor mistake in the paperwork.
To complete all the divorce forms correctly, it is worth taking the following steps:
An alternative way to complete all the divorce forms quickly and without a hassle is using CompleteCase.com. This online divorce service allows getting your ready-to-file documents in PDF format in only two business days.
The Missouri divorce process takes several consecutive steps.
Grounds for Divorce
Initial Filing
Court Fees
Serving a Spouse
Finalizing a Divorce
Grounds for Divorce
In Missouri, it is not necessary to blame the other spouse for the marriage breakdown and prove their fault before the court to apply for divorce.
The spouses can state they have "irreconcilable differences," and this no-fault ground for divorce will be sufficient if a judge finds no reasonable hope for reconciliation.
However, if the defendant denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken, one of the fault-based grounds must be applied. Thus, the family court shall evaluate all relevant factors that gave rise to the filing of the petition, and the plaintiff needs to prove to the court one of the following things:
Initial Filing
To prepare the divorce application, the spouse initiating the case must complete the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and other family and parenting forms if necessary and file them with the Circuit Court.
Besides, if both parties agree on the terms of their divorce (for example, resolve them in a settlement agreement), they can file for divorce jointly as co-petitioners.
Court Fees
The plaintiff must pay court filing fees when filing the divorce petition. In Missouri, a filing fee is about $200, varying slightly from county to county, plus an additional $25 service fee for serving the divorce papers.
Serving a Spouse
If filing a sole divorce application, the plaintiff must serve the other spouse with copies of the divorce papers in one of the following ways:
Finalizing a Divorce
An uncontested divorce final hearing can be scheduled after the mandatory waiting period. The judges do not make any court orders at uncontested divorce hearings. The spouses only need to submit all their divorce forms and documents for court approval and give some testimony.
If the couple's agreements and other papers are completed correctly, the judge signs the Final Judgment.
The main advantage of an agreed divorce compared to a contested one is that if the spouses can resolve all their disputes without court involvement, they can arrange their divorce without addressing a law firm and save money on legal fees.
Instead, they have a lot of alternatives to hiring an expensive attorney, such as seeking the help of a family law facilitator or divorce mediator. Mediation means that the parties discuss all the important questions like real estate, debts, property division, child custody, support, etc., guided by a neutral third party who facilitates their negotiations.
And if the spouses need help with completing the divorce paperwork, they can use cheap online divorce services. In particular, CompleteCase.com provides a fast way to prepare all the necessary divorce forms for a base fee of $299. Even though this website does not provide legal advice, it enables you to select and fill out your unique court forms following the state laws and civil procedure rules without a hassle and reducing divorce costs.
Child Custody
If the divorcing spouses have minor children, they should agree on the child-related issues out of court and draw up a Parenting Plan. In particular, they need to resolve physical custody (which defines how much time the child lives with each parent during a year) and legal custody (which establishes each parent's decision-making rights).
These types of child custody can apply to one parent (sole custody) or both parents (joint) or be combined depending on what would be in the child's best interests.
Missouris courts are inclined to favor shared custody, but if the proposed Parenting Plan is fair and reasonable, the court can approve it, regardless of the type of custody arrangement.
However, if the spouses cannot reach an agreement, the court makes the relevant decisions after considering the following factors:
Child Support
Missouri Family Law states that both parents are responsible for supporting their kids until the age of 18. The Missouri courts use the Income Shares Model to determine the exact payment figures. This model includes various tables for calculating the amount of child support based on the number of minor children and the parents’ total gross income.
Half of all US states impose a waiting period between filing a Petition for Dissolution and when the court can sign the divorce decree.
Missouri requires a mandatory waiting period for all couples pursuing dissolution of marriage, regardless of whether it is a sole or joint-petition divorce. Thus, neither dissolution case cannot be granted earlier than thirty days after filing the initial forms and documents.
Besides, once the defendant is served with divorce papers they also have thirty days to complete and file a response as an acknowledgment of service. So, the default divorce cannot be entered until thirty days have passed.
For Missouri courts to have jurisdiction over the divorce or legal separation, a couple must meet the state’s residency requirements.
According to Missouri Revised Statutes, either party must have been a state resident for at least ninety days before filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court. In addition, the plaintiff must apply for divorce in the county where either of the spouses currently resides.
Non-residents who are military members stationed in Missouri for at least ninety days can also pursue a divorce within the state.
How long will it take in Missouri?
The length of divorce mainly depends on whether this is about contested or no contest divorce. In Missouri, an average uncontested divorce takes about ninety days, while contested cases can take 12 months or longer.
Can I get a free divorce in Missouri?
If the plaintiff cannot afford to pay the court costs, they can ask for a fee waiver. For that, a person has to file a Motion and Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.
How to file for divorce in Missouri?
The plaintiff (or the spouses together as co-petitioners) must file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and other divorce papers with the Circuit Court to begin the divorce.
How much does a divorce cost in Missouri?
The average cost of divorce in Missouri with a lawyer involved is $13,500, while simple uncontested divorce can cost about $2,000.
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