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One important cost-saving consideration is the distribution of attorney fees between both parties. Understanding how these expenses accumulate can help you make informed financial decisions during the proceedings. In many cases, one spouse—the "motivated party"—is eager to expedite the process. This individual may take on a disproportionate share of responsibilities, such as preparing financial documents and drafting settlement agreements. While this seems logical and proactive, it can lead to unintended consequences that significantly increase the overall costs of the divorce. For instance, diligent attorneys typically begin drafting court documents once they receive financial records from their clients. If the [...]

In general, courts will only grant an annulment in highly specific circumstances. In contrast to a divorce, which has the effect of severing the legal bond between husband and wife, an annulment completely voids the marriage in the eyes of the law. This effectively means that the law treats the marriage as if it never existed. Contrary to popular belief, a newly married spouse will not be entitled to an annulment just because they file for an annulment quickly after the marriage ceremony is performed. An annulment can be granted for several reasons including misrepresentation or fraud, duress, bigamy, [...]

When a marriage relationship ends in Missouri, spouses have two different options they can pursue: legal separation and dissolution of marriage (divorce). Many people think legal separation is an easier temporary process than going through a full dissolution of marriage, but that is not exactly accurate. In fact, the two processes are virtually identical because all the same issues must be decided in either proceeding-- division of property and debts, maintenance, custody, and child support. However, there are a few important distinctions between legal separation and divorce. The main legal distinction is that after a legal separation, the parties [...]