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Missouri Child Custody Questions & Answers
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... Read more »

Kristen Thurmond
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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... Read more »

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
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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... Read 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
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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... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: How can a judge enter a default judgment in custody case 5 days before pre trial conference?

My son started a custody case 6 months before he became extremely disabled due to MVA on New years eve. His attorney dropped his case for non payment while we were waiting on social security to start. I have guardianship and conservatorship of him now. Received a notice of court date for ptc for... Read more »

Cynthia W. Trice
Cynthia W. Trice
answered on Oct 15, 2022

Hi,

I am sorry that your family is experiencing something like this. It appears to be very strange that a judge would just enter a default judgment so abruptly like this. Are you sure that a court date or two was not missed? Normally, the court gives pro se litigants (individuals proceeding...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My son was to be home Sunday in custody papers what they say and he is refusing to bring him back how do I get him back?
Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 22, 2022

The first thing to do is try to text or email the other parent why he or she is refusing to return your child. If they do not respond, give a valid reason, or agree to return the kid promptly to you, then you can file a family access motion and what is known as a writ of habeas corpus if it appears... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Can I get in trouble legally for not allowing unsupervised visits for my children. No court ordered custody at this time

I recently split from my fiancé due to domestic violence and violence against our children. I allow supervised visits with a trusted family member. I also allow him to call them on the phone. He however will be moving into an apartment with his new girlfriend and wants overnight visits. Can I get... Read more »

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 10, 2022

You need to look into filing a paternity action as soon as possible if you don't already have a custody order in place. If there is one, then you need to be filing to modify it. If you have legitimate concerns about the kids' safety, you need to file for an order of protection. Consult an... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: Is full custody worth pursuing?

I have a 5 year old son. His mother and I share 50:50 custody. I live in southwest Missouri. She lives in northwest Arkansas. Legal orders for custody arrangements have never been a consideration until recently when a few things came to my attention:

1) I have received photos from her... Read more »

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 10, 2022

This is going to be very dependent on the judge who entered the first order and how they handle modifications. You need to find an attorney who practices in the county where your custody order was entered to see what your options are.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: How to remove/replace the current guardian at litem in our case doesn't seem to have her clients best interest in mind

Seems to be siding with the person who is under investigation for not protecting her child.

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 10, 2022

Removing a guardian ad litem (GAL) is a difficult task if the case has been going on for a while. In the first few days of a GAL being appointed you can ask for a new one without cause. After that, you have to show good cause to have one removed. This means you have to show the judge that he or she... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: My two boys is mother custody of my boys she has them living with her brother she's not stable how do I get custody

She's been in trouble for not having them in school she's on drugs and more

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 10, 2022

If you already have a custody order in place, you will need to file a motion to modify your order to have the children live with you. You have to show a continuous and substantial or significant change in circumstances since the last order was entered. If you do not have a custody order, then you... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: In Missouri we have 2 homes. One is currently not occupied. My two sons 16 and 17 can they live alone there legally?

I would be residing 20 min away with my mother who is elderly. They are very self sufficient young men but can they legally stay/live alone in our other home and it be legally ok?

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on Aug 10, 2022

You should not leave your teenage children alone for long periods of time as it will open you up to neglect claims. The better option is to merge households at your earliest convenience or find in-home care for your mother. You may need to contact the state to see what services you can find for... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I need to know what "Mother's address shall be utilized for all mailing and educational purposes for the minor children

I need to know what "Mother's address shall be utilized for all mailing and educational purposes for the minor children means in our Divorce degree. I understand the mailing part but does the educational purposes mean that my kids will go to school where my ex-wife lives even if she moves?

Kristen Thurmond
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Kristen Thurmond
answered on May 16, 2022

Usually that language is to state an address to (1) have one address for important mail to come to so it is not missed and cannot be send to multiple places and (2) direct which school district to use unless otherwise stated in your agreement, parenting plan, or judgment. If the rest of the... Read 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".... Read 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 Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for Missouri on
Q: I need to file a libel defamation of a minor case and I'm not sure where to find the forms needed. St Louis, MO

I really need help and my attorney doesnt do anything. My ex is claiming terrible thing in writing about my minor child and filing false police reports against me to make me look bad to our judge. He and his wife are in contempt of several orders, my attorney wont bring the evidence.

Where... Read more »

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 23, 2022

The St. Louis County Circuit Court’s webpage has some common forms online. A defamation petition is not common nor something that pro se litigants generally file and successfully litigate. For example, do you know the essential elements of a defamation cause of action in Missouri? The... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: My sister has full custody of her boys. She passed 2 weeks ago. If she left a will stating where she wants them to go,

can it keep them from being placed with their biological father who is a deadbeat and will not take care of them and only wants them for my sister's social security? We have not yet found a will but still have some things to go through.

Steve D. Hardin
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Steve D. Hardin
answered on Jan 4, 2022

To get custody of the children you will need to file for a guardianship over the minors. If the father wants the children it would have to be a contested guardianship case. Either way you will need to hire an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: In MO I have legal guardianship of my grandchild, how do I prove it is in the best interest for third party custody?

I have had guardianship for 2 years. The mother had substance abuse and has now been sober for about 10 months. She lives in Illinois and has changed addresses 4 times in the past year. She is always living with a new boyfriend. She does have a job but I do not see her living situation as... Read more »

Steve D. Hardin
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Steve D. Hardin
answered on Nov 2, 2021

This is not a self help project. You will need an attorney to help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: Both parents are in jail need to get custody of grandchild

Please help us

Spencer Williams
Spencer Williams
answered on Oct 24, 2021

Consider filing a Petition for Guardianship and/or a Petition for Third Party Custody. I suggest discussing these options with an attorney in your area. Generally the Guardianship will be heard faster and there are options for emergency guardianship depending on the facts surrounding the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Missouri on
Q: can i legally adopt a dad

i dont have one mine left for milk

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Oct 13, 2021

What does it mean to leave for milk?

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Missouri on
Q: I have military orders to move w/in 20 days. With joint custody. Can I take our children?

Moving to WA on 3yr orders. I allowed to bring my children. I have primary custody. NC has weekend visitation.

Spencer Williams
Spencer Williams
answered on Sep 24, 2021

You should closely review and comply with the terms of your Judgment or Order that established your custody. Missouri has a relocation requirements and notice in every custody judgment and parenting plan. I suggest you review and strictly comply with the relocation notice requirements.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Missouri on
Q: In Missouri, is a pentente lite the same as a pendente lite?
Spencer Williams
Spencer Williams
answered on Jul 30, 2021

A motion pendente lite is latin for "pending the litigation". The motion requests orders while a case is pending such as custody, visitation, child support or maintenance orders in divorce litigation. Pendente lite motions are often abbreviated as "PDL". Those temporary... Read more »

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