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Missouri Family Law Questions & Answers
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
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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 Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: (Details for everything) Can a 17yro, move out without being emancipated or employed legally?

background: Im 19 and my girlfriend is 17, we’ve been together since she was 15 and i was 17 and as soon as i turned 18 her dad died. her family life is rough and she wants to move in with me but her mom wont emancipate her or even let her get a job. (shes over controlling over what she does and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

No, generally a 17-year-old cannot legally move out without parental consent unless they are emancipated. Some things to consider:

• In most states, a 17-year-old is still legally considered a minor, meaning parents/guardians are still legally responsible for care and residency decisions....
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Missouri on
Q: Where do I find a joint petition to remove conservatorship now that my husband is no longer disabled

My husband was declared disabled and since has regained cognitive functions, how do we get him his rights back and end conservatorship

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

Here are the steps to end a conservatorship in Missouri when your husband has regained capacity:

1. File a Joint Petition for Termination of Conservatorship with the probate court that has jurisdiction over the conservatorship. This requests that the court terminate the conservatorship....
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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Family Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Missouri on
Q: What can be done if you have been through your depositional and jurisdictional hearings without adequate counsel

I was provided with an attorney but they never filed any emotions on my behalf I was never allowed to call any witnesses or produce any evidence on my behalf. It's an attorney provided by the state and they have done absolutely nothing to help me in my case. They have denied me my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 15, 2024

If you feel that your state-appointed attorney has not adequately represented you, you have the right to raise this concern. Ineffective assistance of counsel can be a serious issue, especially if it impacts your constitutional right to due process.

First, consider discussing your concerns...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: as a 17 year old, if i run away but have a stable income, house, and boyfriend. can they make me go home
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 4, 2024

In Missouri, as in many states, the age of majority is 18. This means that until you turn 18, you are considered a minor under the law, and your parents or legal guardians have certain rights and responsibilities regarding your care and custody.

If you choose to leave home before turning...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I was ordered to pay child support. We got back together the child support stopped. We split up again 7 years later

I'm now 43000 behind in child support.

Wht are my options

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 3, 2024

Child support obligations are typically determined by court orders based on factors such as income and financial circumstances. If you were previously ordered to pay child support and the obligation ceased when you got back together, it's crucial to understand that the court order remains in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Missouri on
Q: Can a divorce filing be thrown off docket if not pursued after 3 yrs. Are the initial court orders then dissolved?

My son's wife filed for divorce 3 yrs ago. He was ordered to pay for her lawyer $4000. He also had to get a lawyer for himself. The judged ordered him to pay his wife $1600/month, $800 for 2 kids and $800 for her, and make the payment on HIS house and he could not live there. He of course... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

In Missouri, if a divorce filing remains inactive for an extended period, it is possible for the court to dismiss the case for lack of prosecution. However, the dismissal of the case would not necessarily nullify the initial court orders, especially those related to child support, spousal support,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can a divorce judgment be set aside, or retrial for excusable neglect based on Federal Rule 60

In a divorce judgment can respondent who was wrongly incarcerated, request to set aside a judgment in a divorce ,or ask for retrial, based on Missouri rule 74.06 using excusable neglect, by incorporating Federal Rule 60.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

Yes, it is possible to set aside a divorce judgment or request a retrial based on excusable neglect under Missouri law. Here are some key points:

- Missouri Supreme Court Rule 74.06 allows a party to seek relief from a final judgment or order due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: as the age of consent in Missouri is 17, can a 21 legally date and have sexual encounters with said 17 year old

could the 21 year old person have any sexual relations with someone of age 17 in Missouri without the possibility of legal repercussions

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 19, 2023

In Missouri, the age of consent is indeed 17. This means that individuals who are 17 years of age or older can legally consent to sexual activity. Therefore, a 21-year-old can legally engage in sexual relations with a 17-year-old without facing statutory rape charges, as the younger individual is... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Missouri on
Q: I filed a motion to intervene in my daughter's CPS case in the state of Missouri. It was denied. Can I appeal this?

If I cannot file an appeal can I file a motion for view or some other type of motion to get back before the judge because I have new evidence and what this is to call and I am better prepared at this point for the allegations of the state is making against me I am trying to get a protection order... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 17, 2023

If your motion to intervene in your daughter's CPS case was denied in Missouri, you generally have the right to appeal that decision. The appeal process allows a higher court to review the lower court's decision to see if there were any errors in how the law was applied or interpreted.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Missouri on
Q: i have a oop violation and a communication harassment and a failure to appear charges 400 miles away. i was never serve

i never knew i had this and was never given a chance to defend my self.i had been divorced for 17 yrs

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Dec 9, 2023

I'm not sure what your legal question is. If you wish to challenge the order of protection, your options may be dictated by when it was entered and if you were served. An attorney could review the file on Casenet.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Military Law and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: Hi. My husband is a disabled veteran and receives disability and he left me and the kids. Are the kids entitled to child

Hello. My husband is a disabled veteran and receives disability and he left me and the kids. Are the kids entitled to child support from his disability check ??

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 7, 2023

In cases of child support, a parent's income, including disability benefits, is typically considered when determining their child support obligations. If your husband is receiving disability benefits, these can be factored into the calculation for child support.

However, the specific...
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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
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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

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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 Family Law, Adoption and Civil Rights for Missouri on
Q: I am pregnant my 17th birthday was on November 12, 2023 my boyfriends parents say i can move in with them because my pa

Because my parents r not supportive or the nicest so is there anyway that legally in Missouri I can move out? If it helps at all I am adopted.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 24, 2023

In Missouri, the legal age of majority, when you can decide where to live independently, is 18. However, given your circumstances, there are a few options you might consider.

Firstly, if you're facing an unsupportive or harmful environment at home, you could explore the option of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Estate Planning and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: I was wondering is there not a cap on how much lawyers can charge for lawyer fee's on class action lawsuits?

My mom passed away in July of 2019 however she had 3 class lawsuits and they are now coming to be settled and I get these closing statements, and the lawyer's fees are up there. Ill just say that. Can lawyers just charge whatever on these cases? Just in case you need to know, I don't... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 17, 2023

For any class-wide settlement, the court must approve the award of attorney's fees and expenses. There is no universal maximum, but one-third of the settlement fund, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, is common.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Landlord - Tenant, Municipal Law and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Does law enforcement, or cps or any other government agency allowed to search a condemned home without permission ?

The property is not abandoned, but condemned with property owner knowledge, can be repaired and is being repaired. Police showed up to assist cps with a investigation of wanting to go inside of a home. The owner/tenant said no, the law enforcement and cps respected that and did not go in, then... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2023

In general, law enforcement and government agencies like CPS require a warrant, consent, or exigent circumstances to legally enter and search a private residence. However, if a property is condemned, code enforcement officials may have the authority to enter the property for safety inspections.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Missouri on
Q: Does law 475.120, RSMo (2000) apply to behavioral health unit of nursing home?

Wanting to know if law 475.120, (2000) applies to this separate unit of a nursing home where I am.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 13, 2023

No, Missouri law 475.120, RSMo (2000) does not apply to a behavioral health unit of a nursing home. The law specifically states that it applies to "all nursing homes in Missouri." A behavioral health unit of a nursing home is not a separate nursing home. It is a part of a nursing home... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Missouri on
Q: Does a lawyer have to tell the potential client why he won't take the case and what the conflict of interest is
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 27, 2023

No, and in some instances, they may be legally prohibited from doing so.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Missouri on
Q: can a 17 year old girl move out without emacapation in missouri or will she be considered a runaway
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 26, 2023

In Missouri, the age of majority is 18. If a 17-year-old leaves home without parental consent or a legal emancipation, she may be considered a runaway and her parents could potentially file a missing persons report. Law enforcement could then be authorized to return her to her home.

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