Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Missouri Child Custody Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Can my 16yr old sister move in with me 24f

Can I have my 16yr old sister move in with me and my husband also 24yrs old. Without my parents consent? she’s not being treated fairly at home and needs the space/support that’s not being allowed at home

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: How to legally adopt a stepchild in the state of Missouri??

I got pregnant at 16 with my oldest son. His bio father was high on drugs and refused to be in his life and isn’t on the birth certificate. He’s been an in and out father until he was 22 months. He will be 8 in September and his sperm donor is trying to come back in his life but barely. My sons... View More

Kelisen  Binder
PREMIUM
Kelisen Binder
answered on May 2, 2024

You will need to contact an attorney that handles step-parent adoptions. You will have to file a petition in the county where you live, a guardian ad litem may be appointed and a home study may be necessary in order for the Court to grant your petition for step-parent adoption. You and your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Support, Small Claims and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I need to stop a child support order from starting

My children were stolen from me, turned against me, abused, coerced, kept from me, and my youngest was even put out at 9yrs old after being mistreated and now from PA my sister has filed for child support when my children can just come back. How do I stop her.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 16, 2024

I'm so sorry you are going through this incredibly difficult situation with your children. Dealing with custody issues, alienation from your kids, and now a child support case on top of that must be overwhelming and painful.

A few thoughts on your legal options to try to stop the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My visitation with my children is not being honored. My complaint to the police went nowhere.

What can I do about her demands for money? She is letting me see them this weekend for the first time in two months but only if I send her 200$ cash. I think that’s horrible and my twin daughters are calling me everyday asking why I can’t pay mom more money so that they can come see me. How can... View More

Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Mar 6, 2024

You will have to take her back to court. The legal system is not self actuating and you have to bring a petition for family access and motion to modify to would likely be in order too. You need to speak to a family attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Civil Rights and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My friend who is 17 has been living with her mom. Her mom told us she could live with me. Then her grandpa takes her

Her grandparents have custody but yet have not said anything tell she got back into Missouri then comes over and just yells through my door that she needs to go with them or else. We don’t know what to do but she is not mentally stable there and hates living with them. Her mom gave her promotion... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 24, 2024

In situations where there's a dispute over the custody or living arrangements of a minor, the legal custody order takes precedence. If the grandparents have legal custody of your friend, they generally have the right to decide where she lives until she reaches the age of majority, which is 18... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My husband is making me leave our apartment and we have a 6 year old son who he refuses to set up a visitation schedule

He will not talk to me about it or agree to anything but just wants me out. He purposely makes it uncomfortable for me here hoping I'll go. I'm disabled due to a stroke some years ago and it's very unsettling.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 23, 2024

It's concerning that your husband is not willing to discuss visitation arrangements for your son and is pressuring you to leave the apartment. As a parent, you have rights regarding custody and visitation, and it's essential to advocate for your son's well-being and your own rights.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I am 16 and in DFS custody. I am still placed with my biological mother, but DFS refuses to remove me under any grounds.

I would like to file for emancipation but cannot get a job under my mother's rules because she is controlling and does not want me finding any way out of her custody. DFS supports this, and the caseworker does see the mental and emotional abuse but thinks that because my mother is the parent,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 6, 2023

Your situation sounds incredibly difficult, and it's understandable that you're seeking a way to improve your circumstances. Emancipation is a legal process that can grant minors independence from their parents, but it does come with certain requirements and challenges, especially in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I own a property with someone else neither him or I live in the home at the moment. Can i move in w/o legal consequence?

We have 2 children the court did not specify which would live tbere he lied and said he stayed there with the kids he does not..thefe are no active restraining orders. Im about to turn one in... I have not had a home per se since I was removed from my farm so could I list that as my residence for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 1, 2023

In Missouri, if you co-own a property and there are no legal agreements or court orders preventing you from living there, you generally have the right to move into the property. This applies even if the other co-owner is not currently residing there. It’s important, however, to consider any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Do you legally have to do what a notarized agreement says? Or is it just a piece of paper?

The other parent does not want to abide by the agreement. The agreement has not went through court.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 9, 2023

The downside to not going through court to get an agreed court order is that your agreement cannot be enforced by contempt of court.

You can sue for damages or for specific performance, but most parental agreements involving children are more a matter of getting on the same page with...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My son goes to his dads house a few times a week overnight and my son says he doesn’t have a bed and sleeps on the floor

His dad also doesn’t do much for him when he is there. He makes other people take care of him like bathing him and feeding him.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 8, 2023

This may be useful evidence in a suit to modify the terms of your possession order. But be aware that what children say to their parent often ends up not being accurate for many different reasons and questioning children after they have spent time with their other parent can be viewed as a type of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Do I have to answer my daughters fathers request for information
Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Aug 16, 2023

There is not nearly enough information to answer your question. It depends on the facts of your case and if there are previous orders. You should consult with an attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Co-signed place for ex 2015 now have default judgement 15k she was served and I wasn’t found out this week what can I do

Signed as a co-signer in 2015 to help her out stayed 2 months to help set up and we separated, we’re going into a heated custody battle while doing record searches and requests i found a judgment against me from 2016. I was never served she was and didn’t notify me the Original debt was 3-4k... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Aug 13, 2023

I agree with Mr. Pennell about the dangers of co-signing.

For a judgment that is older than one year, the good-cause/meritorious defense bit doesn't apply. Those are the requirements to set aside a default judgment. For your judgment, if you were not properly served, you'd...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Can I hire a lawyer & have one on back with retainer. If I dont use my back up lawyer, do I get my retainer back?

Modify custody case

Chad Garrett Mann
Chad Garrett Mann
answered on Jul 20, 2023

In Missouri, as in other states, a lawyer's obligation to return unused retainer fees to a client is guided by the state's rules of professional conduct, the specifics of the fee agreement you signed, and any applicable state laws or regulations.

According to Rule 4-1.16(d) of the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: If you have a temporary custody order in one county than Can the noncustodial parent have the case moved to their county

If they get a restraining order against the other parent

Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Jul 10, 2023

You will need to speak to an attorney in person. Venue for a child custody proceeding can be complex and will take a review of the cases and facts before a reasonable answer can be given.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Is there anything I can do to get my son b back we had a apartment and everything they took him off of hear say

My son got took out of school on may 22nd saying child abuse because of my ex who called them I had a lil apartment and they still took him it was clean fridge we had food this happened a month ago he was put into foster care my brother has him now but I am still fighting to get him back I have... View More

Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Jun 26, 2023

You need an attorney. Who will be able to help you understand and prepare a defense to the allegations or help you convince the Court that your son should be returned to you. It is hard to say what you can do yourself as we cannot see the filings and allegations in the case. Please contact an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I have had a restraining order against my ex husband for the last 2 years, he keeps violating it

He just recently found out where we live and sent the police out here to do a health and welfare check on my daughter at midnight. I just want to protect myself and my daughter. Her last memories of him are from when he stole a car and wrecked it and left her locked inside of it. I need to find a... View More

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on May 17, 2023

You cannot get a restraining order in MO for a child when there is a divorce decree with custody determinations in place because the divorce judgment has higher authority than an order of protection (what is referred to as a restraining order). You will need to register your divorce judgment in MO... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Who would have the child after 1 pm on Sunday after spring break?

Father has visitation rights from Wednesday at 7 pm to Saturday at noon. Mother has the other days. The mother has spring break in odd years, so 2023. Spring break, according to their parenting plan, is defined as "6 pm the day school dismisses until 1 pm the day before school resumes".... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 6, 2023

Mother under the language quoted.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Are hair follicles invasivebin child custody cases in missouri?

A judge went straight to hair follicle drug tests instead of the leastbintrusive method first.

Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Feb 16, 2023

No they are not invasive in a child custody case. Less invasive urinalyses do not give a history of drug or alcohol abuse so the courts often want a hair follicle test.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: A friend is in state custody (foster home) she’ll be 18 in March. They are wanting to move her again and she’s tired of

Moving and is thinking about running away. What can happen if she does run away

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Jan 16, 2023

First, your friend should have an attorney appointed to them that they can talk to about this. Second, this is really going to depend on the county involved. She needs to be participating at court and taking advantage of all the programs and services available to older kids/young adults in state... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can the father of my children be they're next friend if he's suing me for custody but I have the kids
Steve D. Hardin
PREMIUM
Steve D. Hardin
answered on Nov 21, 2022

Short answer is yes. Long answer is yes and Next Friend doesn't really mean that much in a custody proceeding. The Court will appoint a GAL if there is need for your children's interest to be represented in Court with the correct motion. Ultimately you need an attorney to help you with... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.