A divorce in Missouri can be contested or uncontested.
If it is a contested divorce, this means you have a trial.. The court evaluates evidence that you and your spouse present and makes a decision on the issues you cannot agree on that affect your divorce, such as child custody, division of property and debt, spousal support and child support. The court’s decision becomes the terms of your marriage dissolution.
In an uncontested divorce in Missouri, you and your spouse come to an agreement on all issues raised by the dissolution of your marriage and create a settlement agreement that contains the details. Your settlement agreement specifies what you’ve decided with regards to alimony, marital property and debt. It also must include a parenting plan that includes the following:
- Exactly how the child will share time each parent
- How you will handle transportation of the children between parents
- How legal custody is determined and whether the parents will share decision-making authority about important issues such as education and health care
- The amount of child support and how expenses related to children will be paid such as school costs and medical bills
- What process you will use to resolve any subsequent disagreements that arise related to the children after the divorce is finalized
Uncontested divorces can be less expensive and often result in better outcomes that both spouses are happy with. A Missouri divorce lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement agreement to maximize the chance of an uncontested divorce.
Your attorney can also help you find a professional mediator who specializes in helping couples reach divorce settlement agreements out of court if they cannot agree on their own.
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