In order to get divorced in the state of Missouri, you must meet certain residency requirements and be able to provide grounds for the dissolution of your marriage. If you are ready to initiate the proceedings, a family law attorney from Woodlawn Law Offices in O’Fallon will guide you through the entire process.

Once your attorney confirms you meet the requirements to file for divorce in Missouri, he or she will help you move forward with the divorce. The first step is filing a Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage. Your lawyer will ensure you complete this document accurately and then file it with the Missouri Circuit Court in the correct county. When you file this petition, you will have to pay a small fee, which varies among counties.

After you file the initial petition, your spouse will be served with the paperwork and have an opportunity to respond. If your spouse agrees with the terms set forth, the court will likely finalize the divorce fairly quickly. However, if you and your spouse cannot agree on certain terms, like custody or asset division, the proceedings could extend for a significant period of time. Regardless of the scope of any disagreements that arise, your family law attorney will guide you every step of the way.

You and your spouse may attend mediation in order to resolve any disputes out of court. The purpose of mediation is to come to an agreement on contentious terms before going to trial. This will help you save on court costs and finalize the divorce faster. If you can agree on all terms in mediation, the judge will merely grant your dissolution of marriage during the trial. If you cannot agree on all terms, the judge will use the trial to address these terms and ultimately resolve them.

If you want to initiate divorce with the help of a family law attorney, turn to Woodlawn Law Offices in O’Fallon, MO. To learn more about their areas of practice, including estate planning and probate law, check out their website, and call (636) 240-6667 to schedule an initial consultation with a skilled lawyer today.