Domestic

 
 
 

The Domestic Division is responsible for all Family Court cases filed by attorneys and pro se litigants.  These cases include Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation, Paternity, Child Support, Child Custody, Motion to Modify, Motion for Contempt, Family Access Motion, Adult and Child Change of Name, as well as Adult Abuse and Child Abuse Ex Parte Order of Protection cases.  The Domestic Section can provide you with general information on court procedures, court approved forms, court services and community resources, as well as information on how to obtain legal representation or information on how to represent yourself.  However, we cannot provide you with legal advice such as whether or not you should file a case, what words to use in your court papers, how to try your case, or predict what may happen in court.

 

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SELF-REPRESENTED IN FAMILY COURT

The Supreme Court in conjunction with the Missouri Bar created a website to provide information and resources for people involved in family law matters in the state of Missouri that do not wish to hire an attorney. The information available through this site is not intended to take the place of legal advice and there is no guarantee that using this information will get the results you want.

This website can be located at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov.

You are highly encouraged to seek the services of a lawyer, especially in cases involving children.

 

DIVORCE/DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

Information on Divorce/Dissolution of Marriage cases and the Dissolution of Marriage – Petitioner’s Forms Package may be found at the Missouri Courts website.

The filing fee is $127.50 and $45.00 for the service fee within Jasper County. (If your spouse is in another county you must contact that local Sheriff’s Dept. to determine the service fee amount.)

A divorce proceeding can be complicated and you should give serious consideration to hiring professional legal help. Please feel free to call our office at 417-237-1079 if you have any additional questions.

 

PATERNITY

Paternity means “fatherhood".” If the parents are unmarried, a Petition for Declaration of Paternity determines the rights and obligations of the parents. Health insurance providers may want this action completed before they will cover the child. This also makes it easier for the child to get benefits available through a parent, such as social security and inheritance rights.

The filing fee is $127.50 and $45.00 for the service fee within Jasper County. (If the other party is in another county you must contact that local Sheriff’s Dept. to determine the service fee amount.)

Paternity proceedings can be complicated and you should give serious consideration to hiring professional legal help. Please feel free to call our office at 417-237-1079 if you have any additional questions.

 

CHILD CUSTODY

The Petition for Child Custody may be filed by a Third Party (not the parents of the child) who is seeking custody of a child. More information on establishing child custody and the Petition for Child Custody Forms may be found at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov.

The filing fee is $127.50 and $45.00 for the service fee within Jasper County. (If the other party is in another county you must contact that local Sheriff’s Dept. to determine the service fee amount.)

Child Custody proceedings can be complicated and you should give serious consideration to hiring professional legal help. Please feel free to call our office at 417-237-1079 if you have any additional questions.

 

MOTION FOR FAMILY ACCESS (VISITATION)

If you have an existing Judgment entitling you to visitation with a child and have been denied visitation without good cause, you may file a Motion for Family Access. Information on Family Access Motions and the Motion for Family Access (Visitation) forms may be found at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov.

The filing fee is $127.50 and $45.00 for the service fee within Jasper County. (If the other party is in another county you must contact that local Sheriff’s Dept. to determine the service fee amount.)

Please feel free to call our office at 417-237-1079 if you have any additional questions.

 

CHANGE OF NAME

Information on name changes and the Petition for Change of Name Forms may be found at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov.

The filing fee is $127.50.

Please feel free to call our office at 417-237-1079 if you have any additional questions.