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Divorce Lawyer In O’Fallon, MO
Are you looking for a divorce lawyer in O'Fallon, MO ? Look no further than Lecour Family Law. We specialize in handling complex and stressful family legal matters, such as divorce, separation, and child custody. Our experienced and skilled attorneys will work closely with you to develop a personalized action plan and guide you through the complicated legal system. Give us a call today to see how we can help you.
Benefits of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in O'Fallon, MO
Divorce is one of the most stressful events that can happen in someone's life. It can be emotionally draining, financially devastating, and legally complicated. That's why it's essential to consider hiring a divorce lawyer with experience in O'Fallon to help you navigate the process smoothly and get the best outcome possible.
An experienced divorce lawyer can provide valuable guidance throughout the entire process. They can assist you with documentation, mediating your case, presenting evidence in court if necessary, and negotiating a settlement. A divorce lawyer will also ensure that your rights and best interests are protected at every stage of your case.
Divorce without legal representation can be risky, especially if kids are involved or have significant assets to divide. For example, when child custody is disputed, parents may struggle to agree on the best course of action and put their children in harm's way. A divorce lawyer has specific training and experience in helping clients navigate the emotional challenges of divorce and resolving legal disputes.
A divorce lawyer can help you understand your legal options and the potential outcomes of each one. They can explain what legal principles apply to your situation and help you plan accordingly. They can guide you through an overwhelming process, providing sound legal advice and keeping your case on track.
Suppose you are seeking custody of your children. In that case, an attorney can explain how Missouri law determines the appropriate custody arrangements based on living arrangements, parenting time schedules, financial support obligations, and more.
A divorce lawyer can handle complicated paperwork and documentation required during the divorce process. A skilled attorney understands how to file the necessary paperwork promptly, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your case.
For example, when filling out the Financial Declaration Form, which is required in most Missouri divorces, knowing what information needs to go where can be challenging. An experienced family lawyer can remove this burden and ensure all documents are filed correctly.
Some people might argue that hiring a divorce attorney would be too expensive; however, not getting legal help when needed can end up being more costly in the long run. With outstanding debts, assets, or custody rights at stake during a divorce proceeding – it's imperative to get expert legal advice from a reputable O'Fallon divorce lawyer with experience dealing with local courts and judges.
Expert Advice on the Divorce Process
Divorce court proceedings in O'Fallon are complex processes that require careful strategizing, negotiation skills, and courtroom advocacy. Professional representation throughout this difficult time is crucial to achieving the desired outcome.
One of the most valuable things a divorce lawyer can provide is their expert opinion. An experienced O'Fallon divorce attorney understands how local judges have decided past cases and will have insights into how decisions may affect you in other areas, such as parenting time and asset allocation.
For instance, if one partner seeks child custody based on a mistaken belief that they would be granted more assets in a divorce settlement, an experienced attorney would advise them of the real-world situations where child custody factors into calculating an equitable allocation of marital property. An experienced O'Fallon divorce lawyer can help you navigate the legal system by providing expert advice and skillful advocacy at every stage to ensure the best possible outcome.
Secondly, a divorce lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes that may affect the outcome of your case. People make several common mistakes during a divorce that can negatively impact their case, such as not properly disclosing their assets and debts or filing incomplete forms. An experienced attorney will ensure that all documents are filled out correctly and accurately so there is no risk of potential penalties.
For example, inaccurate figures could question your credibility during negotiations when submitting financial information about your income, assets, and expenses. A divorce attorney can also identify any factors that may increase or decrease support obligations or provide insight into asset valuation and division of property.
Some might argue that they can handle their case without legal assistance and save money; however, this is risky, as making costly errors without proper representation is easy. Not only could these mistakes negatively impact the outcome of your case, but they could also cost you more money in legal fees.
An Experienced Family Law Attorney Can Help
The attorneys at Lecour Family Law can help you navigate complex and stressful family legal issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, and grandparents' rights. Call us today at 636-685-0440 to schedule a consultation. We pride ourselves on offering family legal services tailored to your specific needs.
Lecour Family Law is located at 1270 Jungermann Road in St. Peters, Missouri. We serve clients throughout St. Charles, O'Fallon, Troy, Warrenton, and St. Louis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce
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 O'Fallon, MO
O'Fallon is located along Interstates 64 and 70 between Lake St. Louis and St. Peters in St. Charles County, Missouri. As of the 2020 census, O'Fallon had a population of 91,316, making it the largest suburb of St. Louis, as well as the largest municipality in St. Charles County and the seventh-largest in Missouri. With the philosophy of “family first,” the City of O’Fallon has achieved phenomenal growth for more than four decades, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. O’Fallon is consistently ranked as one of the safest and most livable cities in America.
O'Fallon boasts several hiking and cycling trails, wildlife and nature conservation areas, parks, golf courses, and other recreational opportunities. Shopping, dining, medical facilities, and highly rated public and private schools make O’Fallon a top choice for families. Watch an O'Fallon Hoots professional baseball game at CarShield Field, tour the historic Heald Home or the O’Fallon Historical Society’s Log Cabin Museum. You can also pay tribute to America’s soldiers, past and present, at the Veterans Memorial Walk. The Renaud Center offers people of all ages aquatics, fitness programs, personal training, and more.
Things To Do in O'Fallon, MO
Why Hire Lecour Family Law to Handle Your O'Fallon Divorce?
Melissa Lecour is an experienced family law attorney. A graduate of Washington University School of Law, she has dedicated her entire practice to litigation with a focus on divorce, child custody, and family law matters. She understands the importance of resolving family legal issues with compassion and expertise. With extensive experience resolving sensitive issues through negotiation and mediation, as well as in the courtroom, Melissa handles family law cases throughout St. Charles County.
At Lecour Family Law, we counsel our O’Fallon clients about complex legal issues and help them consider the best tactics for dispute resolution. We understand that divorce is stressful, and we want to help you meet your goals and secure a better and brighter future. Call us today at 636-685-0440 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.