When you’re considering divorce and need help resolving alimony, child custody, child support, or other family law issues, you want counsel that is both experienced and compassionate. For more than 28 years, the Prigmore Law Office has worked diligently to help families resolve domestic legal issues. We recognize a marital breakup is both emotionally and financially difficult and that when children are involved, their best interests must be the priority. When you retain our services, you can count on an attorney who is responsive to your needs and open to exploring every available option to help you secure an outcome that benefits your entire family.
In Missouri, a no-fault state, a person wishing to divorce can do so by testifying that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” At least one spouse must have been a state resident for 90 days before filing, and the divorce cannot be final until 30 days after filing. So, most couples who wish to dissolve their marriage do so through uncontested divorce, where spouses can agree on important issues. If you would like to proceed with an uncontested divorce in Missouri, we can help you draft a settlement agreement that the court will certify. If you and your spouse disagree on major issues such as custody or property division, the court will need to intervene. We have nearly 30 years of experience handling divorce litigation and are prepared to fight passionately to preserve your interests and protect your assets.
When you and your spouse are willing to work on settling key issues in your marital split, you may want to consider mediation. Attorney Terry Prigmore is a certified mediator, guiding clients through this method of alternative dispute resolution that helps many couples to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Unlike divorce, mediation takes place out of court, so it offers the parties more privacy. It can also be scheduled according to your convenience, in a few sessions, rather than having to fit into a court calendar. Many people opt for mediation because it is quicker, more affordable, and less stressful than traditional divorce.
Whenever possible, the Missouri court system favors joint legal custody (decision-making authority) so that both parents are involved in their children’s lives even if one parent has physical custody. Ultimately, when deciding custody, the court does what is in the best interests of the child. At the outset, Missouri courts require both parents to submit a parenting plan that outlines how issues such as custody, support, visitation, vacations, health insurance, and other decisions regarding the child will be handled. We are dedicated to protecting your parental rights as well as the welfare of your child by helping you to draft a comprehensive parenting plan and ensuring that the court has accurate information when making its custody decisions.
In Missouri, the court may order both or either parent to pay child support. However, in most cases, the noncustodial parent is asked to pay support. The court determines the amount of child support based on factors such as:
If you believe your support order is too high or too low, we can seek to have it modified. We carefully assess your and your spouse’s circumstances and strive to provide clear and convincing evidence to support your claims.
Many couples see the benefit of having sound prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Contrary to popular belief, these agreements are not for just the wealthy — they protect all couples and can work to strengthen a marriage. When drafted clearly and thoroughly, a premarital agreement lays out the obligations of each party and covers foreseeable issues such as asset and property division, alimony, medical care, life insurance proceeds, and other matters. We work closely with you and your partner to tailor a premarital agreement that addresses any issues you are concerned about. We can also draft postnuptial agreements for couples who are already married but interested in protecting their assets in the event their marriage ends.
The Prigmore Law Office offers comprehensive family law counsel to Missouri clients. Please call 417-553-2083 or contact us online to arrange a consultation at our Joplin office today.