Missouri is a modified no-fault state, which means that for the court to hear the case, the person filing the petition must show that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Marital misconduct is a factor that can be considered in dividing property and awarding maintenance.
A dissolution of marriage case must be on file with the court for a least 30 days before the court can enter a decree of dissolution of marriage. It is not necessary for the husband and wife to be separated in order to file for dissolution of marriage. There are two types of legal custody under Missouri law , joint legal custody and sole legal custody to one parent. Legal custody concerns the decision making for the child, including decisions regarding education, religion, health care, extracurricular activities, etc. Joint legal custody means that the parents have an obligation to work together to make the decisions regarding their children's lives.