Divorce Attorney in Troy, 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 Troy, MO

Troy, Missouri, is a small city located in Lincoln County. Established in 1819, Troy is the county seat of Lincoln County.  A small park is located on the site of Woods’ Fort, a War of 1812 stockade that was built to defend settlers from tribes that allied themselves with the British. The park features two reassembled log cabinets and a memorial marker describing the history of Troy.

As of 2022, the estimated population was 13,331. With a quaint historic downtown business district, Troy has many unique shopping and dining options. Troy offers numerous outdoor activities, including golfing, swimming, and biking trails, and Cuivre River State Park is just a few miles from downtown Troy. Each July, Troy hosts the Lincoln County Fair. This large county fair started for 4-H and FFA youth to exhibit project work. The fair now features entertainment including musical acts, truck/tractor pulls, horse shows, a demolition derby, and a carnival. 

With numerous shopping, dining, and medical facilities, Troy offers residents many conveniences in a small town setting. Several new home developments offer families the opportunity to escape the stress of city life without sacrificing on modern conveniences at an affordable price.

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