Festus, MO asked in Child Custody for Missouri

Q: How long can a child custody case legally be continued in Missouri?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Springfield, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: This question is a bit unclear.

If you are asking how long a parent can have legal custody of a child, then custody over a child continues until the child is eighteen. If a disabled, adult child requires care beyond the age of eighteen, then the matter should be addressed in probate court with an guardianship case.

If you are asking how long a case actually goes, then most courts will allow a case to be continued 3 times before they get fed up with it and set a final trial date. Though this is all up to the court's discretion and exceptional circumstances may apply. As far as many months away a court may set a continuance depends upon the court's calendar.

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