Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Missouri Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Will it be difficult for my sons father to get extended out of state visits if he lives 6.5 hours away?

My son's father moved to out of state 6.5hours away 10months ago. He has been back to see him once to see him for 10hrs max. He keeps saying its my fault he doesn't see him cause we don't have a legal agreement yet so i won't let him take him out of state or drive to meet him... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 27, 2018

That will depend upon the judge. Some judges believe that the time between parent and child is so important, that extended visits are worth it; other judges will say that a 13 hour round trip is too much time for a small child to spend traveling. Talk to an attorney local to you for more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: if both parents have 50-50 custody,is child support still ordered
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 22, 2018

Child support is based upon two things: how much each parent makes and would provide for the child if the parents were still together, and how much time each parent has the child in his or her care. If there is a significant difference in the parents' income, then even with 50/50 custody, one... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Is there a way to terminate child support after the final order has been submitted if both parents agree upon it?
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 20, 2018

Yes, you would submit a motion to modify, and after 30 days of service, a joint agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I have this friend she has a second-degree misdemeanor endangering welfare of a child on her back ground and she is

Pregnant She was wondering if the state could come in after having the child and take the baby way? Also everything is done and over with she doesn't have to go to court or anything it's just that's on her record cuz her son had passed away and she took the deal to put her son to rest.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 20, 2018

The state doesn't keep track of an individual after his or her case is finished, additionally the state takes custody of a child on a case by case basis. So if your friend had a child taken away before, that does not automatically mean that this child will be taken away.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: My daughter turned 18 and graduated from high school. Do i have to pay child support during the time she's not in school
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 16, 2018

If she in not enrolled in college by October of this year, then you may have your child support terminated, if she does enroll in school of some kind, then you must continue paying child support until she either drops out, graduates, or turns 21.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I am 16 and 5 months pregnant how do I move out of my parents house they won't let me or can I just go
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 15, 2018

Unless you have become emancipated, or are 18, you cannot leave your parent's home without their permission.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can my fiance adopt my son?

My son's biological father isn't on the birth certificate and no paternity has been established. I haven't heard from him in over a year at which point he told me never to contact him again regarding our child. He's been in prison for the last 8 month's. Can my fiance adopt... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 13, 2018

Step-parent adoptions usually require the parents to have been married for six months first. Otherwise, you meet the requirements for adoption. Get married first, and then after six months, contact an adoption attorney in your area to assist you.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Immigration Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My sons father was recently released on bond from a detention center facing deportation, he is an illegal immigrant.

He has filed for joint custody. He wants to take my son to California from Missouri, but with being released on bond can he leave the state? Also, can I file for full custody?

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 9, 2018

Unless the two of you are married, or have an existing court order, you are the only one with rights to the child; he can't take the child anywhere. Furthermore, it does depend a little upon the conditions of his release, but typically, if he has been released on bond, he won't be able... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Biological father took 16 year old daughter to get a tattoo without biological mother's consent no custody filed

There are in Colorado

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 8, 2018

While an unwed father does not have rights to a child without a custody orders from the court; the damage here is already done. You might be able to sue him for the costs of having the tattoo removed but otherwise I can't think of many other remedies in Missouri. If all the parties are in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My sister left her boyfriens last night and the cop told her since the baby was basically in his arms she couldnt

There was no dna test they filed for a birth certificate but he's not on it yet and they were not married

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 5, 2018

That's incorrect. If an unwed father has not be proven to be the father in court, then he has no rights to the child; only the mother does. While the police are very knowledgeable about what constitutes a crime, they tend to be lacking about civil matters. Your sister may claim her child,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can I move from the Missouri State with my daughter without her fathers consent? We are not married, just live together.

My partner is in her birth certificate, I need to move because we are living together but he don't let me work, he controls everything including the money, intimidation, emotional abuse. He is using his male privilege so I can't take decisions. I am a Registered Nurse and I will not have... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 16, 2018

If the two of you were never married, then he has no rights to the child and you may move as you wish. He does have the option of pursuing a custodial rights through a paternity action; but until that time, you are the only one with rights to your child.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My child’s father is ordered to pay so much of child support a month. He hasn’t made any payments.

He is now taking me to court for conference settlement which we have agreed on already. He is now saying if I don’t cancel child support it will drop down. Is this true that his lawyer can change the price of child support?

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 13, 2018

They have to first demonstrate that the current order is too difficult for him to reasonably make.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: does spousal support stop once the spouse remarries
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 12, 2018

Yes. Maintenance terminates once the receiving spouse remarries, the assumption is that the new spouse will support the person originally receiving maintenance.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My child is 18 and getting ready to attend college. Me and her other parent have joint custody and I pay child support.

My child has moved in with me full time. What do I do since the other parent says I still have to pay child support. Here in MO.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 9, 2018

You need to file a modification based upon a change in the child's residential custody to terminate the current child support order. Contact an attorney local to you to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: If me and my ex were to get back togther is it possible to terminate his child support payments it was court ordered

It was court ordered and it is taken out of his check monthly

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 5, 2018

Yes, you can contact the court and request that the court abate his payments, or tell them that the payments are being made directly.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My oldest daughter is refusing to give me back my 2 year old. What can I do?

In Dec. I became homeless. After much thinking and crying I decided the best interest of the baby would be to let her stY with her sister til I could get back on my feet a little. But now she refuses to let me see her or give her back to me.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 5, 2018

Unless the child has been adopted by your older daughter, then your parental rights have not been severed, and you have a right to your child. Contact the police to help you retrieve your child; some jurisdictions will do this, some will require a court order first. Your older daughter was... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I.am married and have a 4yr old and my wife took my son and went to TX with a man and said he is the dad what can i do
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 5, 2018

If the child was born in your marriage, you are the legal father and have equal rights to the child, even if you are not the biological father. You should talk to an attorney local to you as soon as possible about pursuing physical custody of your son as part of either a legal separation or a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I was told it is illegal to text anyone under the age of 18 once you turn 18
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jul 2, 2018

Just texting in general, no, that's not illegal. Sexting, however, depends on how old is the minor.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Is it easy for a grandparent to obtain guardianship from the mother just because they want to.

The only thing is the parent had addiction issues, went to treatment and is in recovery. Has no legal issues, and is seeking out Continuing Care. The father gave up his rights. now the father's parents are trying to take guardianship

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jun 27, 2018

In order for a non-parent to be awarded guardianship, they must prove that the parent is unwilling, unfit or unable to continue with the parental responsibilities. So long as you are willing, fit and able to care for your children, it should be fairly easy to contest the guardianship. Talk to an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Are there any Lawyers interested in a case that just has to be presented? Two years researched. ProBono. Mid Missouri

This case would go to the Supreme Court. It is newsworthy. Civil rights violations. Statues ignored. Policies and procedures not followed. False documents presented to the court. This needs to be brought to the media's attention. Background in Family Law would be a plus. It is a very long... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Jun 25, 2018

There are approximately 80 cases a year which are argued in the Supreme Court. About another 100 cases are resolved without argument.

There are about 7,000 to 8,000 cases a year filed with the Supreme Court. The likelihood of getting a case to the Supreme Court is about 1%.

I...
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.