Best Child Custody Lawyers in Florissant, MO

The Missouri Supreme Court requires that at least 50% of domestic cases be completed within 4 months of the time of filing and 95% of cases be completed within 14 months of the time of filing. The complexity of the case and the success of negotiation can reduce or extend this time period.

We can only represent one party. However, if you and your spouse have come to an agreement, we can draft and file all of the documents necessary to reflect your agreement. While we cannot represent your spouse, we can provide all of the necessary paperwork to your spouse that he/she will need to complete and offer notary services for forms that must be notarized. We frequently represent people in uncontested divorces and if spouses are truly cooperating, this is an efficient and substantially less expensive route than litigation.

Do not talk to your children about any divorce proceedings. Do not speak negatively to them about the other parent or confide in them about the marriage. Children need to feel like even though their parents cannot live together that they are still loved and that it will be okay. We often recommend individual counseling or group counseling programs to assist children with processing and healing from the divorce, especially is parents are not communicating well or are especially angry at one another.

A legal separation can address custody and property division and is as enforceable as a Judgment of Dissolution. However, parties remain married and the separation can be dissolved or the Judgment can be converted later to a Judgment of Dissolution. Parties sometimes legally separate in order to protect themselves financially and enter into an enforceable custody arrangement while they decide whether they want to officially divorce.

When one or both people have assets that they wish to remain separate in the event of a divorce. A prenuptial agreement is designed to eliminate contested litigation of property and debt if a couple decides to divorce. Prenuptial agreements frequently address property acquired before the marriage, future interests, income, and spousal support. They cannot address child custody.