How to File a Divorce Petition in Missouri
Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, which means that either spouse can file for divorce for any reason provided that they deem the marriage to be irretrievably broken. If you want to file a divorce petition in Missouri without soliciting a lawyer, then you'll need to obtain the Missouri dissolution of marriage forms packet and fill out the petition for divorce form included in the packet. Once you've filled out the packet, you can file for divorce in any Missouri circuit court.
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Instructions
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Establish residency in the state of Missouri. Either you or your spouse must be a resident of the state for 90 days or a member of the military stationed in the state for 90 days before you may petition the state for divorce.
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Download a copy of the Missouri dissolution of marriage forms packet. This includes the petition for dissolution of marriage. Alternately, you may obtain the forms packet from the office of any circuit court.
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Scroll to page four of the packet. This is where the petition is located.
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Fill in all information requested at the top of the form, including the location of the court in which you plan to file your petition and the names of you and your spouse.
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Provide the personal information about you and your spouse that is requested in items 1 through 6 of the petition.
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Indicate whether your spouse has provided an answer to your petition or whether your spouse must be served with your request for a divorce in item 7. If you have any questions regarding which box to check, refer to the advice provided along the right margin of the petition form.
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Provide all personal information regarding employment, income, and location of residence as requested in items 8 through 25.
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Answer all questions regarding the circumstances of your marriage and any maintenance arrangements that have been made in items 26 through 30.
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Provide information on your children as specified in items 32 through 50.
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Indicate whether you want to change your name to a previously used name under the heading "REQUEST FOR RELIEF".
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Print out pages 4 through 15 of the forms packet.
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Sign the the final page of the form in the presence of a licensed Missouri notary public.
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Deliver the signed petition to the office of the circuit court in which you are filing for divorce. You will need to pay a fee to the court, which will vary based on the county in which you file for divorce.
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References
- Photo Credit marriage defined image by Christopher Walker from Fotolia.com
