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The Benefits of Hiring a Parenting Coordinator in Missouri: A Guide for Co-Parents
By Jennifer Piper• June 13, 2023Posted in
As a co-parent, navigating the complexities of shared custody can be challenging. It is not uncommon for disagreements and conflicts to arise when making decisions about child custody and visitation. One solution that may help to resolve these issues is to hire a parenting coordinator. In this article, I will provide a comprehensive guide to the benefits of hiring a parenting coordinator in Missouri, including what a parenting coordinator is, how they differ from a mediator, the legal aspects of parenting coordination, what to look for when choosing a parenting coordinator, how to work effectively with them, and tips for navigating the parenting coordination process in Missouri. Introducing the Role of a Parenting Coordinator in Missouri A parenting coordinator is a neutral third-party professional who…
Creating a Parenting Plan that Will Work
By Jennifer Piper• March 11, 2026Posted in
A parenting plan outlines when each parent has the children, how decisions about their care will be made, and how to handle communication, child support, healthcare, and other expenses. It will serve as a roadmap for your family, ensuring clarity and consistency, and the court will enforce it if disagreements arise. Why Missouri Requires a Parenting Plan When you and your spouse begin planning for your children’s future, one of the first things you will need to create is a parenting plan, a structured document that outlines how you will share time, responsibilities, and decision-making for your children. Missouri law requires this plan as part of finalizing custody, and it must include certain elements that help both of you manage daily life with consistency and…
What Is a Parenting Plan?
By Jennifer Piper• June 24, 2024Posted in
Co-parenting after a divorce or separation can be complex, but a well-crafted parenting plan will provide the clarity and structure needed to make it work for the benefit of your children. Let’s explore what parenting plans are all about and why they are so important. Understanding Parenting Plans: At its core, a parenting plan is a detailed document that outlines how separated or divorced parents will share the responsibilities of raising their children. It’s essentially a roadmap for co-parenting, covering a wide range of aspects to ensure smooth cooperation between parents. Key Components of a Parenting Plan: Why Parenting Plans Matter: A parenting plan serves as a crucial tool for promoting stability and reducing conflict in co-parenting situations. By clearly outlining expectations and responsibilities, it…
Divorce: Plan to Resolve Holiday Issues Early
By Jennifer Piper• November 4, 2025Posted in
Holiday parenting schedules work best when they are planned early. Waiting until the last minute can create stress for you, your children, and your attorney. Waiting too long may make it impossible to address the holidays, leaving you and possibly your children disappointed. Addressing these issues ahead of time allows you to focus on what really matters, spending meaningful time with your family. Plan Ahead for a Peaceful Holiday Season The sooner you address holiday possession questions, the easier it is for everyone involved. When parents wait until the last minute to discuss plans, it often leads to frustration and confusion. The closer you get to the holidays, the harder it becomes to make thoughtful decisions, especially when both parents have busy schedules and long-standing family…
Who Makes Medical Decisions for Your Child After Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• December 8, 2025Posted in
After your divorce, medical decisions for your child depend on whether you share joint legal custody or if one parent has sole legal custody. In Missouri, most parents have joint legal custody, which means you work together on major healthcare choices. If there are disagreements on medical issues, you can use a parenting coordinator to help make those decisions. Understanding Medical Decision-Making After Divorce When you and your co-parent are no longer married, who makes medical decisions for your child can feel uncertain. Missouri law provides a structure for those decisions through joint legal custody or sole legal custody, but your agreement or court order ultimately guides how decisions are made. Joint or Sole Legal Custody In Missouri, most parents receive joint legal custody. This…
Can Child Custody Orders Be Changed?
By Jennifer Piper• November 17, 2025Posted in
Child custody orders can be changed if there has been a change in circumstances and the new arrangement is in your child’s best interest. In Missouri, you can modify custody, decision-making authority, or parenting time through the court. Many parents choose to resolve these matters privately through Mediation or the Collaborative Divorce process because those approaches offer privacy and allow you to create solutions that truly fit your family’s needs. Custody and Parenting Plans Can Change Under Missouri law, any part of a custody arrangement can be modified. That includes who makes decisions for the child, where your child attends school, and how parenting time is divided. To request a change, you must show that circumstances have changed since the original order and that the…
8 Tips for Co-Parenting This Summer
By Jennifer Piper• June 3, 2024Posted in
As the temperatures rise and the school bells ring their final chime, summer heralds a season of change for co-parents. Whether you are a seasoned pro or new to the co-parenting game, ensuring a harmonious summer for you, your ex, and most importantly, your children, requires careful planning and communication. Here are 8 essential tips to help you move through the summer months with ease: By following these summer co-parenting tips, you can navigate the season with confidence and create lasting memories for your child. Remember, cooperation and communication are the cornerstones of successful co-parenting, ensuring that every summer is filled with warmth, joy, and cherished moments for your family. Contact Family Ally If you have questions or need legal assistance regarding co-parenting, divorce or…
How Does Missouri Determine the Best Interest of a Child?
By Jennifer Piper• January 15, 2024Posted in
The term “Best Interests of a Child” is commonly used in child custody cases in Missouri. But how does the state determine what is in the best interest of your child? The process may seem complex, but let’s break it down for you. The 50-50 Presumption Missouri operates under a new statute that presumes a 50-50 custody arrangement. It presumes that both parents will have equal parenting time. There must be significant reasons to deviate from this. However, a court can consider other factors if there are questions about a 50-50 arrangement. Factors Considered by the Court The Missouri statute outlines eight crucial factors that the court examines: 1. Parental Wishes and Proposed Parenting Plan The court can consider the parents’ custody wishes. It can…
6 Steps in the Collaborative Divorce Process
By Jennifer Piper• March 4, 2026Posted in
In a Collaborative Divorce, you and your spouse choose a team of divorce professionals to help you resolve your divorce privately and respectfully. You each hire your own collaboratively trained attorney, select a divorce coach, a financial professional and child specialist if needed. You meet as a team to address parenting, finances, and any urgent concerns. When you reach a final agreement, the documents are drafted, reviewed, signed and then filed with the court for final approval. Step 1: Choose a Collaborative Attorney The first step in a Collaborative Divorce is finding a Collaborative Divorce attorney you feel comfortable with and want to work with. If your spouse already has a collaborative attorney, the two attorneys will begin talking about how the Collaborative Divorce process…
What Are the Types of Meetings in a Collaborative Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• February 23, 2026Posted in
In a Collaborative Divorce, you may participate in several types of meetings depending on your family’s needs. These can include full team meetings, financial meetings, divorce coaching sessions, and child specialist meetings. Not every case requires all of them, and each meeting serves a specific purpose as you work toward settlement. How Collaborative Divorce Meetings Work Collaborative Divorce is built around structured conversations. Instead of going to court, you and your spouse meet with professionals in planned sessions designed to resolve issues and reach a final agreement. Each meeting has a defined role. Some focus on finances. Some address parenting. Others deal with communication or emotional concerns. Together, they help move the process forward in an organized way. Full Team Meetings The full team meeting…