If you’re facing legal issues in any of the following areas in Missouri, call us or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation today.
Some divorces are quick, easy, and straightforward. Others involve a complex web of shared assets, businesses, and children. Both types have one thing in common: you should always have an attorney at your side. We can help you handle many facets of divorce, including:
For many people, a divorce is the most disruptive event they’ve faced in their lives. When you’re trying to handle both the emotional and logistical challenges of a divorce, developing a clear strategy and advocating for yourself can start to feel next to impossible.
Many divorces can be resolved outside of the courtroom, but sometimes, matters can only be decided through litigation. If this is the case with your divorce, working with a skilled attorney is even more important.
Our office routinely handles divorces that require litigation, and if your divorce makes it to this phase, we’ll make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for the courtroom and that you know what to expect.
Ordinarily, both parents share physical and legal custody, which is known as “joint” custody. This kind of arrangement doesn’t have to be exactly 50/50. Instead, the parents work out a schedule that suits the whole family’s needs.
However, in some cases, things get more complicated. For instance, if you believe the child’s other parent is unable to care for them properly, you might want to petition the court for full custody. Or maybe the child’s other parent is seeking full custody, and you want to defend your rights.
Much like in divorce, tensions run high in child custody cases. If you want to protect your own best interests and that of your child, you need the help of an experienced family lawyer.
Like all other states, Missouri prioritizes the welfare of the child in custody and support cases. As a result, in some cases, a parent who doesn’t have custody will be ordered to pay child support.
Whether you’re the parent paying child support or the parent receiving it, we can help you make sure you’re treated fairly by the courts. In reviewing your situation, we’ll calculate proper child support amounts, file modifications for support if your income changes, and help you address and retroactive child support you’re owed.
Finances aren’t the only thing that matters when it comes to raising a child, but they’re incredibly important. When a child has the financial support they need, they can develop a strong foundation for the rest of their life. Let our office help you do right by your child and yourself by advocating for your family’s future.
Adopting a child is a beautiful way to better the life of another person while also expanding your family. If you haven’t adopted a child before, you might not be fully aware of the complexity of the legalities involved. There’s often extensive legal paperwork required in adoption, and the process can be lengthy.
So why is it so important to have the help of a family law attorney? In some types of adoptions, legal issues can arise down the line. These issues can be expensive, disruptive, and upsetting. But when you’ve filed the right documents, you’re much less likely to face a life-altering surprise later on.
Our office is equipped to help you handle a wide variety of adoptions — both open and closed. Whether you’re adopting as a stepparent, adopting a child already in your extended family, making a child you’re fostering a permanent part of your family, or going through an agency, get in touch with us today.
For example, if you want to move to another state, you’d need to file a modification with the court. This area of the law is often more complicated than it seems — especially if the other parent is opposed to your modification.
If you are the birth father of a child and want to be involved in that child’s life, establishing paternity is a crucial step in your life as well. If you and the child’s mother are not married, you may need to take steps to prove you’re the child’s father before you’re granted custody or visitation.
Additionally, if the child’s paternity is contested, things can get complicated. We can help you navigate the legal system and advocate for what’s best for you and your child.
Many clients who come to us with legal issues are facing some of the greatest challenges of their lives. When you’re up against a legal challenge, having the right attorney can often mean the difference between getting the outcome you want and walking away disappointed.
