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Why Staying Out of Court Saves You Money
By Jennifer Piper• December 15, 2025Posted in
Avoiding court during your divorce will save money because you reduce attorney time, avoid court-driven deadlines, and limit the conflict. Mediation and Collaborative Divorce keep your divorce discussions focused on solutions instead of arguments, which lowers the overall cost and helps you reach agreements more efficiently. Why the Court Process Increases the Cost of a Divorce When you file for divorce in court, the process immediately becomes more expensive. Deadlines start running the moment documents are filed. Your attorney must prepare pleadings, respond to filings, and follow court requirements, even while you are still trying to settle your case. This creates a situation where you pay for both preparation and negotiation at the same time. Court filings also increase tension. When one side files something…
Does Mediation Always Keep You Out of Court?
By Jennifer Piper• August 12, 2024Posted in
Mediation is often seen as a peaceful alternative to a courtroom battle. But does it always keep you out of court? There can be some limitations in a mediation that are important to understand. What is Mediation? Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as a mediator, helps you and your spouse to reach a mutually agreeable solution. It is often used in family law cases, including divorce, custody disputes, and other family-related matters and helps to resolve the case without going to court. Mandatory Mediation In some jurisdictions, such as St. Louis County, there is a mandatory mediation rule that requires completion of two hours of mediation before proceeding with court cases. While this rule aims to encourage settlements, two hours…
St. Louis Contempt of Court Lawyer
By Jennifer Piper• January 15, 2024Posted in
When it comes to lack of compliance with a family court order, many remedies are available, the strongest of which is filing a motion to hold the non-compliant party in contempt of court. Civil contempt of court carries serious consequences. While not a criminal offense, civil contempt could result in jail time in extreme cases. A judge will not find someone in contempt without good cause. You can file a motion for contempt with the help of a dedicated family law advisor. Don’t file a motion on your own, schedule a consultation with a St. Louis contempt of court lawyer. Proving Civil Contempt Before the court can issue a finding of contempt and any penalties, evidence must be presented to show that the party had…
Can I Get Divorced Without Going to Court?
By Jennifer Piper• October 23, 2023Posted in
When people think of divorce, they often envision contentious courtroom battles, but the reality is quite different. You can get a divorce without ever setting foot in a courtroom. It is important to understand that divorce does not have to equal a court battle. Choosing the right divorce process can enable a respectful and amicable divorce. Dispelling the Misconception that Divorce Means Court It is a common misconception that divorce inevitably means going to court and engaging in an adversarial proceeding. The reality is that this is not the case for most divorce cases. In fact, it’s entirely possible to get divorced without stepping into a courtroom, provided certain conditions are met. The Power of Agreements You and your spouse can agree on the terms…
Can Children Choose Which Parent to Live with in Missouri?
By Jennifer Piper• April 13, 2026Posted in
In Missouri, your child does not get to choose which parent to live with. The court will consider your child’s wishes as a factor, but there is no specific age where that decision becomes theirs. The weight given to what your child says depends more on maturity than age, and how those wishes are shared with the court varies from case to case. What the Court Really Considers in Missouri If you and your co-parent are working through custody decisions, it is important to understand that your child’s preference is one piece of a much larger picture. Missouri law requires the court to consider the “unobstructed wishes of the child.” That phrase sounds straightforward, but in practice, it is anything but straightforward. Judges, Attorneys, and…
In A Divorce – What Does the Best Interest of a Child Mean?
By Jennifer Piper• June 3, 2026Posted in
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?
By Jennifer Piper• May 26, 2026Posted in
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…
Cost of Litigation: Can You Afford NOT to Settle Your Divorce Out of Court?
By Jennifer Piper• July 28, 2025Posted in
Court battles are costly, time-consuming, and emotionally draining with uncertain outcomes. An amicable divorce, resolved through Mediation or Collaborative Divorce offer more affordable, efficient, and respectful alternatives that help protect your finances, relationships, and well-being. Going to Court may mean that you spend more money and get less in return. The True Cost of a Court Battle When emotions are high, you might feel tempted to “win” your divorce in court. But trials do not come cheap, financially or emotionally. Between attorney fees, expert witnesses, court filings, and time away from work, litigation costs add up quickly. In many cases, what you spend fighting in court could be more than what you might recover. Why Trial Is So Expensive Going to trial is not a…
Can You Modify Child Custody Without the Other Parent Agreeing?
By Jennifer Piper• May 18, 2026Posted in
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…
Divorce: Finding the Best Outcome for You and Your Pet
By Jennifer Piper• April 21, 2025Posted in
When going through a divorce, deciding what happens to your pet is an emotional and complicated issue. While you may see your pet as a beloved family member, Missouri law treats them differently. In divorce cases, pets are considered property, similar to a couch or a piece of furniture. But we all know that pets are more than just property for your family. Here is what you need to understand when making pet decisions. The Legal Status of Pets In Missouri, pets are not given the same treatment as children in divorce cases. The law does not allow for “custody” arrangements for pets, meaning they won’t move between homes like a child would. Instead, a court will decide who keeps the pet, just as it…