St. Charles Family Law Attorney

Going through any family law matter can be an extremely challenging time in one's life, filled with obstacles ranging from financial to emotional. At Cavanagh & Associates, we deeply understand the challenges our clients face during these periods. With over 50 years of experience, our dedicated St. Charles family lawyer can provide compassionate and professional guidance, helping you navigate these times with care.

We take the time to listen to your individual needs and concerns to make sure that our legal strategies are tailored specifically to pursue a favorable and suitable outcome for your situation. Trust us to handle your case with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism, allowing you to focus on your future with confidence.

To learn more about how our family attorney in St. Charles, MO, can help, dial (314) 309-2799 or submit an online form.

How Our Family Attorney in St. Charles Can Help

At Cavanagh & Associates, we understand how different family law cases can be for each client and how varied their goals and needs are. That's why we tailor our services to help each client navigate their unique journey with personalized attention and care.

Our services include:

• Adoption
• Divorce 
• Marital misconduct
• Mediated and collaborative divorce
• Prenuptial agreements
• Parental rights
• Child custody
• Child support
• Spousal support 
• Post-divorce modifications and enforcement
• Paternity and custody counsel for unmarried parents
• Division of property, debt, and assets
• Child protection orders

Whether it's adoption, determining child custody, or negotiating spousal support, our experienced team can support you every step of the way. When you need help, choose us for compassionate and dedicated legal assistance.

Is Missouri a No-Fault Divorce State?

Missouri operates under a no-fault divorce system, meaning you don't need to prove cruelty, adultery, or any other specific reason to file for divorce. A judge can grant a no-fault divorce if they determine there is no reasonable chance of reconciliation, and that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If you and your spouse agree the marriage is irretrievably broken, or one of you tells the judge and the other doesn't deny it, the judge may grant a divorce after reviewing the petition and holding a hearing.

However, if your spouse disputes this by stating the marriage is not irretrievably broken, the judge can only grant a fault-based divorce if you can provide evidence supporting at least one of the following conditions:

• Adultery by your spouse, and you can't tolerate living with them
• Spouse's behavior makes it unreasonable to live with them
• Spouse abandoned you for at least six continuous months before filing
• Lived apart for 12 months with mutual agreement before filing
• Lived apart for 24 months without mutual agreement before filing

In certain cases, Missouri can grant a legal separation instead of a divorce, allowing couples to live apart while remaining legally married. However, our experienced St. Charles family lawyers can guide you through every step of the process and help you fight for the outcome you want from the very beginning.

What Are the Factors for Determining Custody in Missouri?

In Missouri, child custody can be settled in various ways. Parents may reach an agreement outside of court via a written parenting plan, outlining each parent's rights and responsibilities for the child's care and welfare.

If parents can't agree before court, the judge will determine the best arrangement for the child and consider factors that are in the child’s best interest.

Factors contributing to the child’s best interest include: 

• Parents' custody wishes and proposed parenting plans
• The child's need for ongoing, meaningful relationships with both parents
• Each parent's ability and willingness to prioritize the child's needs
• The child's interactions with parents and siblings
• The child's adjustment to home, school, and community
• The mental and physical health of all involved, including any abuse history
• Any plans of either parent to relocate with the child
• The child's honest input on custody, free from coercion
• Which parent is likely to promote frequent, meaningful contact with the other parent

Why Hire Our St. Charles Family Lawyer?

Don't handle your family law matters without our experience and guidance. At Cavanagh & Associates, we have been assisting a variety of clients in navigating their cases. Whether you're dealing with a divorce, have child custody issues, or are interested in learning more about prenuptial agreements, let our St. Charles family lawyer provide the support you need.

When you hire our firm, you can benefit from:

• Over 50 years of experience
• Aggressive trail representation
• Tailored legal services
• One-on-one support

We are dedicated to helping you streamline the process. Our team is committed to offering personalized attention and advice to help you through this time.

Schedule a consultation today and learn more about how our family lawyer in St. Charles, MO, can help guide you. Dial (314) 309-2799.