Under Missouri Law, courts can order a party to reimburse the other for reasonable attorney fees incurred in divorce, paternity, legal separation, and post-divorce modification cases. This provision is designed to protect one party from bearing an undue financial burden.
It is most common to request attorney’s fees at the end of a case, but if one spouse does not have access to the marital funds or income with which to pay for an attorney, they can file a motion for temporary orders that would include an amount for attorney’s fees.
However, it is far more common that at the conclusion of the proceedings, the party seeking an award of attorney’s fees will request reimbursement for a certain portion of the fees incurred.
In determining whether to award attorney’s fees, Missouri Courts consider several factors including:
- Financial Resources of the Parties
- Merits of the Parties’ Positions and Arguments
- Actions of Parties During Divorce Proceedings
If the court finds that it would be reasonable to award fees, they may order full or partial payment of the requesting party’s legal costs. By understanding these legal protections and taking strategic steps, you can effectively manage divorce-related expenses and avoid unnecessary financial strain.
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