{"id":374504,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html"},"modified":"2024-03-20T08:18:52","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T13:18:52","slug":"missouri-legal-requirements-for-divorce","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Divorce Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri Divorce Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Deciding to file for divorce may be the hardest decision you ever make. The divorce process can be painful and complex. If you and your spouse can part on amicable terms, your divorce will proceed smoothly and much faster. However, even amicable divorces involve difficult conversations.<\/p>\r\n

Knowing Missouri’s divorce laws will make navigating your divorce case easier. Having an experienced Missouri divorce lawyer by your side throughout the divorce proceedings can be a huge help.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will briefly discuss Missouri\u2019s divorce laws and explain the different types of divorce in Missouri. Finally, we\u2019ll describe the legal requirements for a Missouri divorce.<\/p>\r\n

Missouri Divorce Terminology<\/h2>\r\n

The person who files for divorce in Missouri<\/a> is the petitioner. The other party is the respondent. When the petitioner files their divorce papers, the respondent will have 30 days to file a response.<\/p>\r\n

The petitioner must pay the requisite filing fee to the circuit clerk. The costs vary from county to county. Fees range from around $150 to $225 depending on the locality.<\/p>\r\n

The family law courts in Missouri offer valuable resources online. You can contact your local court to confirm the necessary forms and fees for a divorce petition. While you can do this yourself, it may be best to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney before filing your papers.<\/p>\r\n

Legal Requirements for Divorce in Missouri<\/h2>\r\n

Every state has specific requirements for divorce. For example, before you file your petition for dissolution of marriage in Missouri, you must live in-state for at least 90 days. Missouri’s residency requirements are not as strict as some other states.<\/p>\r\n

There is also a mandatory 30-day waiting period in Missouri. According to Missouri law, the judge cannot issue your final divorce decree for at least 30 days after you file for divorce. This rarely comes into play since the court finalizes very few divorce cases in less than 30 days.<\/p>\r\n

No-Fault Divorce Cases and Fault-Based Divorce Cases<\/h2>\r\n

Every state recognizes no-fault divorce. This is the type of divorce case most petitioners file. With a no-fault divorce, you don\u2019t have to blame your spouse for the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Instead, you must only confirm that your marriage is broken and that there is no chance of reconciliation. A divorce, based on an allegation that the marriage is irretrievably broken, is recognized in Missouri.<\/p>\r\n

In a fault-based divorce, your attorney will cite specific grounds for divorce. According to Missouri Revisor Statute 452.320<\/a>, the grounds for divorce include:<\/p>\r\n