St. Louis Divorce Lawyer

The decision to divorce is never easy and the process can be complicated, especially if there are minor children or marital property disputes. At Cavanagh & Associates, our experienced St. Louis divorce lawyers' primary goal is to guide our clients through the process and advocate for their best interests. With more than 50 years of legal experience handling divorce in St. Louis, our family lawyers fight to get the best decision for every client.

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Missouri?

When it comes to divorce, Missouri is a no-fault state. This means you do not have to prove cruelty, adultery, or any other grounds or reasons for divorce. Most people cite irreconcilable differences in their petition for dissolution of marriage (see below).

That being said, the court may consider the reason for the divorce during your case, so if you are filing for divorce because of adultery, intolerable behavior, separation (living apart), abandonment, or criminal activity, be sure to specify this in your petition. This could be especially important if your spouse denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Sometimes, Missouri will grant a legal separation instead of a divorce, but our St. Louis divorce lawyers will help you fight for the outcome you want from the very start.

Call (314) 309-2799 or schedule an appointment with Cavanagh & Associates today to speak with our experienced divorce attorneys in St. Louis.

The Process of Divorce in Missouri

The simplified Missouri divorce process is as follows:

• The first step in a no-fault divorce is for one party to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, stating that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There will be a small fee you must pay to file.
• To meet the residency requirements, at least one party must be a resident of Missouri for the past 90 days. This also applies to military members who were stationed in Missouri during that time period. - 1 MO ST § 452.305(1)
• You must serve your spouse the divorce papers, however it cannot be done by someone who isn't over 18. This individual must also not have a personal gain within your divorce case. This is why people utilize the services of their local sheriff or professional process server. If your spouse does not answer the petition within 30 days in St. Louis, the divorce can still go through via default judgement.
• Once the required documentation has been filed, a 30-day mandatory waiting period is required before a court hearing. While this is meant to be a cooling off period, it is not a realistic amount of time for couples to reconcile, so the divorce usually goes through.
• During the hearing, the spouses present their arguments and the court will enter orders concerning child custody, child support, spousal support, and division of marital property.

Whether you intend to file a Petition for Dissolution or need to respond to a petition filed by your spouse, our St. Louis divorce attorney can help. Many issues must be decided during a divorce, depending on the situation and whether the couple has children or not. It is wise to have a divorce lawyer by your side who can help you understand the best decisions to make for you and your family.

“Jack has been a lawyer for a long time. He values his clients and sees them as people with individual circumstances, and not just dollar bills like other attorneys...He’s not only a great attorney but I consider him a friend. Choose Jack!” - Paige

Our St. Louis Divorce Attorneys Can Help You

Our legal services include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-divorce consultation
• Mediation/collaborative divorce
• Dissolution of marriage
• Marital misconduct
• Division of property
• Spousal support
• Child support
• Child custody
• Post-judgment actions

Our practiced St. Louis family attorney can advise you and look out for your best interests in the division of property and assets, spousal support, child support, and custody of minor children.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer in St. Louis Cost?

Divorce costs fluctuate depending on the complexity of the case and whether it’s contested. Still, there are some standard fees that you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse can anticipate. Missouri divorces will incur costs including:

• Verifying the divorce petition, which banks do for varying fees
• Filing fees, which typically cost $145
• Service fees, which cost $36 and are incurred if an officer must serve your spouse

In addition to the formal fees associated with the process, it’s important to recognize the long-term financial impact divorce can have. Assets are split, alimony may be owed, and debt is divided, possibly leaving you with some of your partner’s debt if you’re unprotected by a prenup.

Many are averse to hiring a family law attorney, viewing it as just another cost in what could be an already expensive process. While this may be true short-term, handling the matter independently could lead to further fees down the road if legal intervention is needed to resolve a mistake made during the finalization of your DIY-divorce. Save yourself the stress, money, and time by calling on Cavanagh & Associates.

Contested vs Uncontested Divorce in Missouri

Contested Divorce

Contested divorces occur when spouses are unable to agree on one or more of their divorce's important issues, such as child custody, property division, and spousal support.

When a couple files for divorce, they have the option of either reaching an agreement on all issues related to their divorce, in which case they will file an uncontested divorce, or they can have a trial where a judge will make a final decision on any unresolved issues, in which case they will file a contested divorce.

The court will hold a trial for contested divorces in Missouri so that both parties and any witnesses can present their evidence. On the basis of the evidence presented, the court will resolve any unresolved issues.

Divorces that are contested require more legal work and court time, so they can take more time and cost more money. Sometimes, however, they are necessary when the parties cannot agree on important issues.

Uncontested Divorce

Uncontested divorce refers to a divorce where both spouses agree on all divorce-related issues. It is possible to file for an uncontested divorce if both spouses are able to reach an agreement on all issues related to their divorce.

An uncontested divorce in Missouri typically involves filing the necessary forms with the court, as well as a settlement agreement that details the terms of the settlement reached by both parties. A settlement agreement can be approved by the court without a trial being required for the divorce to be finalized.

As uncontested divorces require less legal work and time in court, they are generally quicker and less expensive. As well as being less stressful for the parties involved, they can also give the couple greater control over the outcome of their divorce. To speak with our St. Louis uncontested divorce attorney, contact us online today.

Missouri Adultery & Divorce Laws

Although Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, adultery can affect your complex divorce case in a multitude of ways:

• Disagreement – If one spouse disagrees that the marriage is irretrievably broken, then the other spouse may use evidence of adultery as proof of an intolerable living environment. Evidence collected may include video, texts, phone logs, or another person’s eyewitness testimony.
• Asset Distribution – If the court finds that the cheating spouse’s behavior directly correlates with finances, it will consider that money spent on the affair when dividing marital property.
• Custody of Children – When two parents are fighting for custody, the court may take the conduct of the cheating parent into consideration. This may apply to visitation rights as well.

Why Hire an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Missouri

Divorce can be an emotionally challenging and overwhelming experience, so having the assistance of an experienced St. Louis divorce lawyer is essential. A Missouri family attorney can help advise you on the best strategies for handling sensitive issues such as child support, alimony, and property division. An experienced Missouri divorce lawyer at Cavanagh & Associates can help assist with:

• Explaining your rights under state law and make sure these rights are protected.
• Helping to settle any disputes without going to court.
• Drafting all necessary paperwork for filing a petition for divorce or legal separation.
• Helping to understand local court procedures and will guide you through them effectively.

They have knowledge of the assets and debts of both parties, which will help ensure that any settlement or court ruling is equitable.

How Our St. Louis Divorce Attorney Can Help You

No law in Missouri requires hiring a divorce attorney before divorcing. Many St. Louis couples have filed solo and have had success, especially in uncontested divorce cases. However, consulting with a divorce attorney first is always recommended. A family attorney with legal experience with divorce can open your eyes to options you did not know existed.

It is a common misconception that hiring a family lawyer for divorce will incur higher costs and extended waiting times. On the contrary, our lawyers intend to guide you on the most efficient path possible. In cases involving children or significant assets, these may naturally take longer due to their complexity and sensitivity. Our goal is to build you a foundation of success that will carry through the short and long-term.

At Cavanagh & Associates, we counsel our clients thoroughly about their complex family law issues in dispute, helping them consider the most rational tactics for dispute resolution. When it is not possible to avoid a fight, we have the skill to win that fight. Regardless of how your divorce dispute is resolved, we always work to protect your legal interests and guide you through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Get the advice you need during a consultation with a St. Louis divorce lawyer. Call (314) 309-2799 to schedule an appointment.