how to fill out divorce papers in missouri without a lawyer

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Missouri Just complete our online questionnaire to provide us with all the necessary information. It does not take much time. Within a couple of days, you will receive an email with the completed divorce forms. Print them, sign them, and submit them to the local court.

Full Answer

How do I file for divorce in Missouri without a lawyer?

Determine whether or not you will need a Missouri divorce lawyer. Figure out which court you plan to file your divorce. File a “Petition for Dissolution” document. Fill out the appropriate Family and Parenting documentation if necessary. Inform the court of your divorce.

How do I fill out divorce papers in my state?

Pick your state Divorce Forms Each state has a different set of divorce forms and paperwork that’s needed to properly complete your filling. There are hundreds of forums on the web that are either updated and will waste a lot of your time by getting your divorce papers rejected by your local city clerk.

How does an uncontested divorce work in Mo?

MO uncontested divorce (Low Costs) In an uncontested divorce, your spouse and you have an agreement on all the key issues of the divorce and the agreement must be total. If you are unable to agree on all the issues, then the case becomes contested and will go to trial.

Can you get a divorce in Mo without a lawyer?

You don't have to hire an attorney to file for an uncontested divorce in Missouri. If you file your divorce without an attorney, you are considered pro se (pronounced pro say). The State of Missouri set up very specific forms that you need to use if you intend to file an uncontested divorce on your own.

How do I fill out divorce papers in Missouri?

5 Steps to filing for divorce in MissouriDetermine whether or not you will need a Missouri divorce lawyer. ... Figure out the court in which you plan to file for divorce. ... File a “Petition for Dissolution” document. ... Fill out the appropriate Family and Parenting documentation (if necessary) ... Inform the Court of Your Divorce.

What is the easiest way to get a divorce in Missouri?

The simplest procedure is an uncontested divorce using a joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, where you and your spouse file together after reaching an agreement on all issues.

What's the cheapest way to get a divorce in Missouri?

If you have a settlement agreement and a relatively uncomplicated case, you should be able to handle filing for divorce yourself, without hiring a lawyer. A do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce will be the cheapest route to ending your marriage.

How much does a uncontested divorce cost in Missouri?

around $1,000 to $2,000Cost of Uncontested Divorce In Missouri When all parties agree, there are no disputes. Although some law firms offer a flat rate divorce service, uncontested Missouri divorces generally range from around $1,000 to $2,000.

How can I get a divorce without going to court?

If your partner disagrees with the divorce or the grounds for divorce you may need to go to court. However, before you go to court you will be encouraged to try alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, arbitration or collaborative law.

Does Missouri require separation before divorce?

There are no official separation requirements for divorcing couples in Missouri. They must, however, undergo a 30-day wait period after filing for divorce. The couple must live apart from each other during this wait period.

What can be used against you in a divorce?

Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.

How long do divorces take in Missouri?

At a minimum for the most uncontested of cases, you should expect a divorce to take around ninety days from the date a divorce petition is filed. Depending on the county, fully contested matters can take 6 to 12 months, or in some cases even longer.

Can you do a divorce online in Missouri?

The state of Missouri allows you to use online resources to file for divorce, but this will only work if you are seeking an uncontested divorce.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce is automatic?

Most state courts will automatically enter a divorce decree if the parties have been legally separated for a period of time, often one to two years, and meet the basic eligibility requirements.

What constitutes abandonment in a marriage in Missouri?

Abandonment Laws in Missouri When one spouse leaves the other without consent, this is considered abandonment and it may be grounds for divorce in Missouri. Also, it is considered abandonment, or desertion, when the: Parties failed to agree about the departure.

What to do when filing for divorce in Missouri?

When you file for divorce in Missouri, one of the best things you can do is to arm yourself with the information you’ll need to see you through the process from start to finish . Divorce can be intimidating and disruptive on many levels, and the best way to minimize the impacts on your life is to do your homework so that you can best protect ...

What is the main document for divorce?

The Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage is the main divorce document. If you have children, you will need to complete a parenting plan and a form that details all of the custody decisions that you and your spouse agree on. Ideally, you and your spouse will agree on everything and you can submit the form together.

How much does it cost to file a divorce complaint?

You will also need to file a process of service fee to make sure your spouse is served properly with your divorce complaint. This can run about $25 to $50 and possibly more depending on the method you use. Depending on the county where papers are filed, there may be some added miscellaneous costs as well.

What happens if you don't agree with a parenting plan?

Keep in mind, if you both submit a parenting plan, it will be the judge who decides the final terms of custody. You will also need to submit a “Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet” with your divorce documents.

How long does a divorce notice have to be in the newspaper?

A public legal notice announcing your filing of the divorce will be placed in a legal newspaper for at least 30 days. Until proof of service has been completed by any of these means, a divorce complaint cannot move forward.

How long does it take to settle a divorce?

It is not uncommon for some high asset or hotly contested divorces to take as much as one to two years or more.

How much does it cost to serve a spouse?

There will also be a fee to have the paperwork served on your spouse. Depending on the method you choose, this may run about $25 to $50. If you can’t afford to pay these fees, you can request a waiver that will need to be reviewed by the court for possible approval.

How to file for divorce without an attorney?

To file for divorce without an attorney, talk it through with your spouse beforehand, if you can, to divide up assets and debts and discuss custody of children, if you have any. Go online or visit your county clerk's office to get the forms you'll need, like the petition for divorce and summons.

Where to file divorce petition?

File the necessary forms with the clerk’s office. This is the first step to formally placing your divorce petition on file with the court. The clerk’s office will require you to file a certain number of copies of the documents, along with the original documents.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

In most jurisdictions, the filing fee ranges from $100.00 to $300.00. If you cannot afford to pay the court’s filing fee, you may be able to ask the court to waive the normal filing fee.

What to do if you cannot agree on a divorce?

If you cannot agree, you are likely to need the assistance of an attorney to protect your interests. Decide if a pro se divorce is appropriate for your situation. While some situations are easily handled on a pro se basis, others are far too complex to be handled pro se.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced?

Many states have waiting periods before your divorce can be granted. This waiting period may be as little as 60 days or as long as six months. If you and your spouse have minor children together, your state laws or local court rules may require you both to attend a parenting class for divorced or separated parents.

What is the divorce process in Missouri?

Missouri Divorce Key Terms. In Missouri, courts refer to a divorce as the "dissolution of marriage.". The spouse who files for (requests) divorce is called the "petitioner" and the other spouse is the "respondent.". Before you can file for divorce in the state, at least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days prior ...

What is the name of the person who files for divorce in Missouri?

In Missouri, courts refer to a divorce as the "dissolution of marriage." The spouse who files for (requests) divorce is called the "petitioner" and the other spouse is the "respondent."

How long do you have to be a resident of Missouri to file for divorce?

Before you can file for divorce in the state, at least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days prior to filing for divorce. If neither you nor your spouse has lived in Missouri for the required time period, you'll need to wait to file your divorce. You can file for divorce with or without an attorney.

What is a spousal maintenance form?

This form is used by the judge at a hearing or trial if either side asks for alimony (also referred to as spousal maintenance) or child support. Generally, you and your spouse will need to exchange information about incomes, expenses, assets, and debts, such as mortgage, credit card, and car loans.

What is a petition for divorce?

The "Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage" form (legal paperwork requesting the divorce) initiates the divorce process. If there are any children from the marriage (meaning children who are under 18 years of age and still in high school, or children who are unemancipated and under 21 years old), their names must be included so the court may make orders regarding child support and child custody. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.025 (2019).

What to do if you decide to end your marriage in Missouri?

If you've decided to end your marriage, you'll need to begin the divorce process. This article provides an overview of how to file for divorce in Missouri. If you have additional questions after reading this article, contact a local family law attorney for assistance.

How many circuit courts are there in Missouri?

Missouri has 46 regional circuit courts with each court covering several counties and a court for the city of St. Louis.

What is a DIY divorce form?

The forms are designed for uncontested divorces, meaning both parties agree all issues regarding property and debt division and, if relevant, child support, custody and visitation. Here are the steps to be aware of if you decide you want a DIY divorce:

What is a petition for divorce?

It specifies the basis for seeking a divorce, which is simply that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and that there is no “reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.”. It also includes specific family data.

How much does it cost to file a divorce in Boone County?

You need to pay the filing fee. The filing fee in Boone County for a divorce is currently $132.00 if your spouse signs the waiver of service and $162.00 if you need to pay for the sheriff to service your spouse with the Petition.

How long does it take to get a divorce answer?

The answer is due within 30 days from the date the petition is served, and it admits or denies each paragraph of the petition. If an Answer is not filed, the case will be considered a “default” divorce. In a default divorce, the procedure is very similar, but only the Petitioner is involved. Where to File: in general, you need to file ...

Do you need a certified copy of a judgment?

Assuming you have filed everything correctly and the judge is satisfied with your evidence, the judge will sign off on your Judgment. You will need certified copies of the Judgment if you intend to change insurance coverage, beneficiary designations or your name.

Do you have to hire an attorney to get divorce in Missouri?

You don’t have to hire an attorney to file for an uncontested divorce in Missouri. If you file your divorce without an attorney, you are considered pro se (pronounced pro say). The State of Missouri set up very specific forms that you need to use if you intend to file an uncontested divorce on your own. You can find the forms by visiting ...

How to file for divorce?

Fill out the appropriate Family and Parenting documentation if necessary. Inform the court of your divorce. Filing for divorce is an extremely difficult situation for everyone involved, no matter how poor the relationship, and if there are kids involved, it only makes the situation worse.

How long does it take to get divorced in Missouri?

If you are not residents in the state you will need to either become one and wait 90 days to file, or file for the state in which you a legally deemed a resident.

What do you need to do to represent yourself in a family law case in Missouri?

The State of Missouri requires anyone representing themselves in a family law matter to complete a two step “ Litigant Awareness Program “ . After you complete your program you will need to file your certificate with the court.

How many forms are there in the divorce package?

The package is made up of eight different forms, most of which are required to be filled out although some county’s courts have different requirements. The eight forms include: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage This is the most important form in the package. It also saves you a lot of time if you complete it first.

How many steps are there in divorce?

While every divorce is different, the primary steps to completing your dissolution of marriage can be broken down into five steps. These steps can be seen below, along with a summary of what each step entails.

Is it hard to get divorced in Missouri?

Filing for divorce is an extremely difficult situation for everyone involved, no matter how poor the relationship, and if there are kids involved, it only makes the situation worse. The divorce process can be a very simple one, but can also be extremely difficult.

Do you need a parent's petition in Missouri?

If certain elements of the Mother’s or Father’s Petition Packet, like a Parenting Plan, are not filed, you may be required to file individual forms like a Petition for Child Custody, or a Petition for Change of Name. Some Missouri Counties also require a Family Court Information Sheet.

What branch of the court handles divorces in Missouri?

Missouri Divorce Forms. In Missouri, Divorces are handled by the The Judicial Branch of Missouri. It is quite possible to avoid lawyers' fees by filing for your own divorce in Missouri.

Can I file for divorce in Missouri?

However, it is possible to file your own divorce in Missouri for no more than the state divorce form filing fees.

Missouri Divorce Key Terms

See all 4 steps on www.wikihow.com

Getting The Divorce Started

Service of The Divorce Petition

Financial Disclosures

Parenting Plans

• Under Missouri law, the respondent spouse must be served with copies of the petition for dissolution by one of the following methods: 1. receiving a copy of the petition from the county sheriff where the respondent lives or works—the sheriff will charge a fee for this service, or 2. receiving a copy of the petition by a process server—the private p...

See more on divorcenet.com

Helpful Resources