Missouri handles divorce through a no-fault system where couples can dissolve their marriage by declaring it irretrievably broken, requiring at least one spouse to have resided in the state for 90 days prior to filing. Courts decide child custody, alimony, and property based on equitable principles rather than equal splits, prioritizing the child’s best interests without mandating joint custody.​
Child Custody Decisions
Missouri courts favor arrangements promoting frequent contact with both parents, evaluating factors like parental fitness, child’s adjustment, and any history of abuse. Judges craft parenting plans specifying legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (residence), with modifications possible upon substantial changes in circumstances. Child support follows state guidelines based on income and overnights.​
Alimony and Property Division
Alimony, termed maintenance, awards temporary support to a needy spouse considering marriage duration, incomes, and contributions like homemaking, but fault rarely influences it except in financial misconduct cases. Marital property acquired during marriage divides equitably, weighing economic circumstances, custody, and conduct like asset dissipation. Separate property like inheritances stays individual.​
Procedural Timeline
No-fault divorces require a 30-day waiting period post-filing, with uncontested cases resolving in months via full financial disclosures and parenting plans. Contested matters extend timelines, and 2026 advocacy pushes reforms for domestic violence victims to ease separations. Legal aid resources assist low-income filers.​
