A Missouri divorce can be complicated, or it can be straighforward. It may be done with or without attorneys and with or without courtrooms, but there are a few procedural steps that every divorce has in common. The exact path of the process varies on a case-by-case basis, and there are options when it comes to making divorce filings. In nearly all cases, divorce begins with filing and continues through service, response, negotiation and agreement.
Nearly all divorces have a few things in common
Issues in gray divorces
In Missouri divorce cases involving older people, there may be multiple issues that must be dealt with. People may have spent years accumulating money in their retirement accounts, but the accounts will have to be divided with their spouses.
Deescalating a tough divorce
While some divorces are relatively quick and painless, others can be drawn out and brutal. When a toxic ex makes separation complicated, there are things that a Missouri divorcee can do to make the process easier.
Protecting the ability to retire after divorce
When Missouri couples want to get divorced, it is important for them to think about their future abilities to retire. Retirement accounts must also be divided between the spouses in an equitable manner, but the division of the accounts may require special considerations and paperwork.
What to know about spousal support
When divorced Missouri couples pay alimony, it is in most cases tax-deductible. Recipients are requred to report it as income on their federal tax return. If a payment is designated as either child support or a part of a property division agreement, it cannot be considered alimony. The IRS has seven conditions that must be met to separate spousal support payments from child support or other types of payments.
Understanding divorce
Couples in Missouri who are considering ending their marriages should have a clear idea of exactly what a divorce does and how it can affect the rest of their lives. Having a realistic view of what to expect and understanding the futility of attempting to predict how the divorce court may rule in a certain matter can help divorcing individuals be more satisfied with the outcome.
The QDRO and splitting retirement plans in divorce
Missouri couples who are getting a divorce may have property they need to divide, and a retirement account might be one of those pieces of property. Before certain types of retirement accounts can be divided, a document known as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order must be prepared and signed. Attorneys who are well-versed in the legal aspects of divorce might still refer people to a certified divorce financial analyst to get a better understanding of this complex document.
Protecting a trust during a divorce
When Missouri couples start planning to get married, it is recommended that their parents take steps to protect any assets that they intend to leave for their family member. If those assets are in a trust, taking precautions can ensure that the trust can only be accessed by the family member and not by the other spouse, especially if the couple ends up getting divorced later on.
Helping kids adjust to divorce
Missouri parents place a huge priority on the well-being of their children. This is particularly true during and after a divorce. Even in amicable divorces, the transition from living together as a family to separate households can be very difficult for kids. That is why parents often take special care to minimize the trauma and to stabilize their lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Use your parenting plan to change your focus
The irony of divorce is that while your marriage can be ended, if you have children, your relationship with your child's other parent may continue for many years. Consider, if you have a two-year-old, your child custody and visitation order is likely to be in force for the next 16 years. That's four presidential elections.
