Divorce Attorney in Warrenton, MO

Your relationship with your spouse, whether you are willing to compromise, the duration of the marriage, and the complexity of marital assets and debts are all important factors that impact how long the divorce process is. When matters related to child custody, visitation, and support are involved, the process can be even more complicated. Generally speaking, you can expect your divorce to take anywhere from a few months to several years. A contested divorce must be litigated in court, so it may take a year or more to resolve. An uncontested divorce could be resolved in a few months when both spouses are willing to compromise and negotiate an agreement.

As with any legal matter, you may need to go to court. Whether you and your spouse can reach a full or partial settlement agreement, your divorce settlement must be approved by a court. In most cases, both parties are required to attend a court hearing. When creating a divorce settlement, a couple comes up with their divorce terms and presents them to a judge. If the judge finds the agreement compliant with state and federal laws, they approve the stated terms, and the divorce is finalized.

Working with your spouse to reach an agreement is ideal since it gives you control rather than leaving it up to a judge. Missouri is an "equitable distribution" state, which means judges will divide marital property in a way they believe is equitable but not necessarily equal. Generally, in equitable division states, marital property is everything that either partner earned or acquired during the marriage unless you both agree otherwise. Separate property includes anything gifted, inherited, or acquired before the marriage and generally remains with the original owner.

Alimony, often referred to as spousal maintenance, is a payment from one ex-spouse to another. Spousal maintenance aims to provide one spouse with the same financial stability and comfort enjoyed during the marriage. Spousal maintenance payments can be either temporary or permanent, but permanent spousal maintenance is rare.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on child custody, the courts will determine this issue based on what they consider the child's best interest. Issues including financial stability, the child's age and needs, each parent's health, and other relevant factors are evaluated. The court will also consider any history of domestic violence, abuse, neglect, or substance abuse problems when determining custody.

Joint custody means that both parents have equal rights in decision-making for their child(ren), especially in education, religious upbringing, and significant healthcare considerations.

Missouri courts use Form No. 14 to establish a "presumed amount of child support." A family court judge ultimately determines if the amount is reasonable based on each party's circumstances. Judges have the power to adjust child support amounts either up or down. There are a variety of online child support calculators that can help you estimate the amount of support owed to you or the other parent.

About Warrenton, Missouri

Warrenton is located in Warren County, about 50 miles west of downtown St. Louis. The University of Missouri, home of the Mizzou Tigers, is less than one hour west of Warrenton. As of the 2020 census, Warrenton had 8,892 residents. Recreational opportunities abound for local residents with several parks, golf courses, an aquatic center, and the 55-acre Warrenton Athletic Complex.

The 1,388 acre Reifsnider State Forest offers hiking, fishing, and hunting opportunities for nature lovers. Reifsnider is located in central Warren County, two miles east of Warrenton on Route M and three miles south on Schuetzenground Road. Picnic areas, a shooting range, and the 1.3 mile Lizard Rock Trail are among the highlights. A couple of old clay mining pits are stocked for fishing. Most of the open land resulted from fireclay mining when the forest was privately owned. The late Bertha Reifsnider, donated the land to the Conservation Department in 1965, in honor of family members Frank, Emma Elizabeth and Edna Reifsnider.

10 miles from Warrenton is the Innsbrook Resort Public Golf Course. This 18-hole championship golf course is carved out of the rolling hillsides of eastern Missouri. It offers dramatic elevation changes with scenic views year round. The golf course has a well stocked pro shop along with a full-service restaurant open to the public.

Warrenton prides itself on maintaining a small-town atmosphere and friendliness while being one of the fastest-growing communities in Missouri.Warrenton has a mix of suburban and rural properties that attract young families and retirees looking for convenience combined with a lower cost of living. Numerous home builders are active in Warrenton offering over 200 new construction floor plans at a variety of price points.