Missouri's Residency Requirements

The petitioner must have been a Missouri resident for 90 days before filing for divorce.

Missouri's Grounds for Divorce

Missouri residents may file for divorce under only no-fault grounds for divorce:

Missouri's no-fault grounds is:

• irretrievable breakdown of the marriage without the likelihood of reconciliation

Missouri's Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement. If the parents cannot reach a decision, a Missouri court will make a ruling.

Missouri courts consider factors such as:

• the wishes of the child and parents
• the child's situation at home, school, and within the community
• the child's and each parent's mental and physical health

Missouri's Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Missouri courts consider factors such as:

• the standard of living the child was accustomed to
• each parent's financial situation
• the child's physical, mental, and emotional health
• the child's needs

Missouri's Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Missouri courts will award spousal support if:

• the spouse proves they are unable to support themselves
• the spouse proves they lack the means and property to provide for themselves
• the spouse is the custodial parent, which inhibits the spouse's ability to seek employment

Missouri courts consider factors such as:

• duration of the marriage
• each spouse's earning capabilities
• the time needed for the spouse to acquire marketable skills and employment
• each spouse's conduct during the marriage
• the standard of living experienced during the marriage

Missouri's Property Division Guidelines

Missouri has adopted equitable distribution guidelines, which means all property (including gifts and inheritances) will be divided as fairly and equally as possible. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Missouri courts will consider factors such as:

• custodial status of each spouse
• each spouse's contribution to the property, including acquisition and upkeep of the property
• each spouse's conduct during the marriage
• the value of each spouse's property

Missouri's Venue Guidelines

A petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Missouri county of residence.