Divorce Attorneys in St Charles County

Divorce can be a difficult and stressful episode in your life. Ending a marriage is often emotionally-charged, and it affects your finances, your future, and most importantly, your relationships.

We at Shea Kohl Law our St. Charles divorce lawyers want to make it easier for you. Our legal services are some of the most reliable and practical for Missouri spouses who are separating. We help make the process as agreeable as possible for both parties, but at the same time, we protect your rights and fair claims. If you have children, we help you ensure that their future is protected as well.

Shea Kohl Law applies pragmatic solutions for favorable results. Talk to us to see how we can help you in your divorce.

The Missouri Divorce Process, Grounds, And Requirements

In Missouri, divorce is legally called “dissolution of marriage.” If you are the spouse that files for it, you are called the “petitioner,” and your spouse is the “respondent.”

Missouri is a no-fault divorce state – this means that you don’t have to prove that someone was at fault. You could simply initiate it on the grounds that the marriage is irretrievably broken. That said, our state does require you to be a Missouri resident for at least 90 days before you can initiate a divorce.

To start, you must file a “Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage” at your county’s family court. This involves filling out several documents, depending on your county court’s requirements. Your spouse will then be served (given) copies of your petition, and he or she will have to respond to it.

You and your spouse must each provide a “Statement of Income and Expenses,” in which you disclose your financial information. The judge uses this information later when deciding on matters such as alimony and child support.

Aside from this, you and your spouse must both work together to develop a parenting plan. This is a document that details your agreements on how to raise your children, including custody. If you and your spouse cannot agree, you can each propose your own parenting plan and the judge will decide.

Every dispute in the divorce will be tackled in a court-scheduled hearing. At this hearing, you and your spouse can each present evidence to support your side. After this, the judge will give the ruling, which becomes final after 30 days.

Note that a hearing is necessary in a contested divorce – that is, a divorce where you and your spouse have disputes. But if the divorce is uncontested – if you both agree on all terms – the hearing may not be needed at all, making the process much faster and less expensive.

Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, you will still want a good St. Charles divorce lawyer on your side. The in-depth legal knowledge of an attorney should protect you from being taken advantage of and in helping you obtain what you are entitled to.

The Cost Of A Missouri Divorce

One of the most common questions among separating couples is: How much does a divorce cost? The truth is that it varies widely, depending on how smoothly the divorce proceeds.

A Missouri divorce survey shows the average divorce costs $13,500, but the actual range starts in the four digits. This amount includes not only attorneys’ fees but also other expenses such as court filings and payments for expert consultants and witnesses. Naturally, a divorce that goes to trial likely costs more than one settled outside of court, and the longer the case, the more expensive it will be.

For our St. Charles divorce attorneys, it is always one of our goals at Shea Kohl Law to make each divorce case very cost-efficient. We aim for amicable and smooth resolutions that save you time and money. We are able to achieve this through our creative, workable solutions inspired by our decades of legal experience.

Consider These 3 Crucial Things In Divorce

It’s not just the upfront costs that make divorce a significant life event. It has many implications that carry on into the future, with these three important elements vital to consider:

• Your children. Too often, children under legal age are caught between separating parents. To lessen your young ones’ distress, it is ideal that you and your spouse peacefully agree on how to best raise them. But if this is not possible, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance for child custody and child support.
• Also called spousal maintenance, alimony is something you must prepare for, as it is a long-term financial arrangement. This matter is often a cause of conflict, and undeniably, some spouses end up with a less-than-fair outcome.
• Your property. Dividing marital assets is another point of dispute for many divorcing couples. You’ll want to safeguard personal assets that are not part of your marital property, and in the distribution of marital property, you’ll also want to receive your fair share. This requires the assistance of someone who is knowledgeable in the law regarding the division of property.

Practical, Sensitive Solutions From Shea Kohl Law

At Shea Kohl Law our divorce lawyers in St. Charles have consistently produced practical and effective legal solutions. For divorce issues, we deliver this practicality with a heightened sensitivity for you and your loved ones. Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Candid appraisal of your case, and the corresponding pragmatic solutions
• Skillful representation in courtroom litigation or out-of-court negotiations
• Confidentiality and respect throughout each case
• Clear and consistent communication, so you understand exactly how your divorce is progressing.

Shea Kohl Law is based in St. Charles, MO. We serve the counties of St. Charles, Lincoln, St. Louis, and Warren, as well as nearby areas in Illinois.

Contact Us

If you are considering a divorce or are already going through it, we are ready to be of service. Let’s start by talking about your situation. Your initial consultation with us is free, and we guarantee that your information with us will be kept confidential. Call Shea Kohl Law today at (636) 946-9999.