Divorce is a difficult and emotional process, but it can be made easier if you know the steps involved in filing for divorce in Missouri. Here's a brief overview of what you need to know:
Missouri recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Fault grounds include adultery, abandonment, cruel treatment, and more. No-fault grounds simply require proof that the marriage is irretrievably broken and cannot be saved.
The first step in filing for divorce is to prepare and file a petition for dissolution of marriage. This document outlines the reasons for the divorce and the relief being sought by the filing party. Once the petition is filed, it must be served on the other spouse, who then has an opportunity to respond.
After the petition is filed, the parties engage in discovery, which is the process of gathering information about the marital estate. This includes financial information, property ownership, and more.
Once the discovery phase of your divorce is complete, the parties can either negotiate a settlement or proceed to trial. If a settlement is reached, the terms are put into a written agreement that is submitted to the court for approval. If the parties cannot agree, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge decides the outcome.