Thank You
Thank you for reaching out to Family Ally. We have received your message and will respond as soon as possible.
In A Divorce – What Does the Best Interest of a Child Mean?
In Missouri custody cases, the court decides parenting arrangements based on what serves the child’s overall well-being. Judges look at factors such as each parent’s involvement, the child’s relationships, school stability, mental and physical health, and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Understanding the “Best Interest” Standard When you are dealing with custody issues in Missouri, the court is required to determine custody according to the child’s best interest. While the law gives several factors for courts to consider, it does not provide one exact definition of what “best interest” means. Missouri law includes a rebuttable presumption that equal or approximately equal parenting time is in a child’s best interest. In other words, the court starts with the assumption…
Can Child Support Be Modified Without Going to Court?
Child support can be modified in Missouri without a courtroom battle if you and the other parent are able to reach an agreement. Through Mediation, Collaborative Divorce, or informal discussions, you can create a new support arrangement and submit it to the court for approval, saving time, stress, and conflict. Do You Have to Go to Court to Modify Child Support? The short answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. A judge still must approve any changes to child support. If you and the other parent reach an agreement, you can put everything in writing, file the proper documents, and have a judge sign off. In many cases, this is quick and straightforward. You are not standing before a judge arguing…
Can You Modify Child Custody Without the Other Parent Agreeing?
Yes, but you cannot modify child custody without the other parent’s agreement unless you go to court. Judges have broad discretion in custody cases and want parents to try to resolve disputes first through negotiation, Mediation, or Collaborative Divorce. When a Custody Agreement Is Not Possible You may believe a custody change is necessary, but the other parent refuses to agree. There is no way to force a custody modification without either an agreement or a court order. If you cannot agree, your only option is to take the matter to court. However, before going down that path, it is worth trying to resolve things through guided conversations using either Mediation, or the Collaborative Divorce process. If those efforts fail, the court becomes your next…