{"id":374505,"date":"2016-09-29T12:07:41","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T17:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-legal-separation-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-03-06T15:02:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T20:02:08","slug":"missouri-legal-separation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-legal-separation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Legal Separation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri Legal Separation 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

Marriage can be a gift, but it also comes with many challenges. Sometimes, these challenges are so significant that a couple needs a break. They don\u2019t necessarily want to get a divorce but realize that a legal separation may be for the best.<\/p>\r\n

Some people separate for financial reasons. Others experience an extramarital affair and want to see if time can heal the wounds caused by the indiscretion. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to understand the separation laws in Missouri.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll briefly discuss Missouri\u2019s separation laws. We will also explain how things like alimony and property division work in a legal separation.<\/p>\r\n

Missouri\u2019s Separate Maintenance Action<\/h2>\r\n

Most states have laws that govern a legal separation. Missouri courts refer to a legal separation as a \u201cseparate maintenance action.\u201d It works the same way a separation does but accounts for the same issues you address in a divorce.<\/p>\r\n

In a separate maintenance action, a Missouri court enters an order that legally separates the parties while retaining their legal marriage.<\/p>\r\n

The court order addresses the same issues as an order of divorce<\/a> (dissolution). A Missouri separation order provides for the following:<\/p>\r\n