{"id":374509,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-marital-property-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-06-21T12:23:49","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T17:23:49","slug":"missouri-marital-property-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-marital-property-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Marital Property Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri Marital Property Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/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

In Missouri, all property a couple acquires during marriage becomes marital property<\/a>. Like most states, Missouri is an equitable distribution state. Missouri law presumes that all property acquired during a marriage belongs to both spouses. Courts divide marital property fairly between spouses during a divorce or legal separation. Equitable property division applies to debt as well as assets.<\/p>\r\n

A few states, such as California and Texas, are community property states. In these states, judges divide marital property 50\/50 during a divorce or legal separation.<\/p>\r\n

Couples can handle the division of property before their divorce with a prenuptial agreement or other valid written agreement. If the couple can\u2019t agree on the property arrangement, the judge will divide the property during the dissolution of the marriage.<\/p>\r\n

Note:<\/b> State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) before making any legal decisions.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Marital Property vs. Separate Property<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Marital property<\/b> is all property acquired during the marriage. The marital home is marital property, even if only one spouse\u2019s name is on the title. Other things that are marital property in Missouri include:<\/p>\r\n