Author: Jennifer Piper

Jennifer R. Piper is a family law attorney, mediator, and parenting coordinator with more than 20 years of experience serving families in the St. Louis area. She is certified as a Guardian ad Litem and frequently appointed by courts to represent children in high-conflict cases. Jennifer is a former Chair of the Family and Juvenile Law Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and an active leader in local and state bar organizations. Her professional recognition includes being named to The Best Lawyers in America® (2017–2025), Missouri Super Lawyers (2021–2024), and receiving a Women’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Jennifer also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She regularly speaks on family law topics and has helped shape family court procedures through her service on multiple committees.

  • In A Divorce – What Does the Best Interest of a Child Mean?

    Hours Categories Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce

    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?

    Hours Categories Child Custody

    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?

    Hours Categories Child Custody

    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…

  • How Can Divorce Make You a Better Co-Parent?

    Hours Categories Co-Parenting, Divorce

    The divorce process that you choose will shape your future co-parenting relationship. A cooperative process like an amicable or Collaborative Divorce can help you build better communication habits, reduce conflict, and create a healthier environment for your children. While a litigated courtroom process can destroy the relationship with your co-parent and effect your and your children’s lives forever. How to Set the Right Tone in Your Divorce The path you choose for your divorce does more than end a marriage. It sets the tone for your future as co-parents. If you take an aggressive, attack-focused route, that mindset carries forward into every interaction. Those harsh words and actions do not disappear once the paperwork is signed. They tend to linger. When you choose a more…

  • Child Custody Issues with a Special Needs Child

    Hours Categories Child Custody, Divorce

    Your Special Needs Child’s Daily Needs Come First When your child has special needs, custody is not just about where they spend their time. You have to look closely at what your child needs to function each day. Some children rely on medical equipment, mobility aids, or home modifications. If one home is set up for those needs and the other is not, moving back and forth may not be realistic or financially achievable. You could find that your child cannot comfortably transition between two homes. In some situations, maintaining one primary residence, sometimes called nesting, may better support your child’s routine.  Nesting means that the child stays in the primary residence while you and your spouse move in and out of the home during…

  • What Happens if You Fall Behind on Child Support Payments?

    Hours Categories Child Custody, Child Support

    If you fall behind on child support payments, you can face serious enforcement actions including wage garnishment, suspension of licenses, court contempt, and even jail time. You also have options to request a child support modification if your financial situation has changed, but you must act quickly to protect yourself. Understanding Enforcement Actions When you don’t keep up with child support, what happens next depends on whether a government enforcement agency is already handling your case. If the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) is already involved, they will take action. They can set up a wage withholding from your paycheck if one isn’t already in place. They can also pursue actions like garnishing your bank accounts or seizing assets. On top of that, they…

  • Legal Custody versus Physical Custody in Missouri?

    Hours Categories Child Custody

    Legal custody and physical custody serve two very different roles in a parenting plan. Legal custody focuses on who will make important decisions about your child’s life, while physical custody determines the schedule and how your child’s time is shared between you and your co-parent. Understanding how these two types of custody work together will help you create a plan that supports your child and sets clear expectations for both of you. Understanding Legal Custody When you hear “legal custody,” think about decision-making. This covers the major choices that shape your child’s life. These decisions include education, medical care, and activities. For example, you and your co-parent will want to address where your child goes to school, what doctors they see, whether they need to…

  • Can Children Choose Which Parent to Live with in Missouri?

    Hours Categories Divorce

    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…

  • Can Mediation Work If We Disagree on Everything?

    Hours Categories Divorce

    Mediation can work for you and your spouse or co-parent, even if you disagree on everything, as long as you are willing to listen to each other, to the neutral third party, and to consider different ways to solve your issues. If you go into Mediation saying, “We disagree and I will not consider anything else,” you probably will not reach an agreement. But if you and your spouse or co-parent enter the process ready to listen to each other, to the mediator, and to trusted advisors, and are willing to talk about solutions together, Mediation will work for you. How Mediation Works In Mediation, a trained neutral third-party helps you and your spouse or co-parent talk through your differences and work toward solutions you…

  • The Benefits of a Less Adversarial Divorce vs Litigation

    Hours Categories Divorce

    Choosing a less adversarial divorce process like Mediation or a Collaborative Divorce will protect your family, reduce conflict, and help you build a cooperative relationship with your spouse that benefits your children now and in the future. The Problem with Litigation When you choose litigation, you are immediately pitted against your spouse, the very person you will need to co-parent with for the rest of your life. Starting your post-divorce relationship with conflict and attacks in court sets you up for failure. No one truly wins, and your children will often feel the loss the most. Custody disputes, financial battles, and court hearings can create long-lasting stress and resentment, making it difficult to maintain a positive family relationship. How Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Help By…