Missouri divorce at a glance
Official source: Missouri court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Missouri: step by step
Missouri is pure no-fault with a 30-day minimum before judgment. Here is the path to a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.
- Confirm you can file in Missouri
One spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. Missouri is pure no-fault (the marriage is "irretrievably broken"), with a 30-day minimum before judgment.Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305 - Prepare your petition
Prepare the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.Source: Missouri CAFC forms - File with the Circuit Court
File with the Circuit Court and pay about $130–$250, or file to proceed in forma pauperis. (Self-represented filers usually file on paper in Missouri.)Source: In forma pauperis - Serve your spouse
Serve your spouse, or have them file an entry of appearance/waiver.Source: Mo. R. Civ. P. 54 - Complete Form 14 (if children)
If you have children, complete Form 14 (the Presumed Child Support Amount worksheet).Source: Missouri Form 14 - Get your decree
After the 30-day minimum, the court enters the Judgment/Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.Source: Decree of Dissolution
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Missouri?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In Missouri you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your Missouri pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in Missouri
Income-shares model using the Form 14 presumed-amount worksheet.
Because Missouri uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a Missouri divorce take?
A 30-day minimum after filing before a judgment can be entered. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Missouri divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Moderate. Statewide forms are accepted, but some circuits (St. Louis County, Jackson County) require additional local forms/cover sheets.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
Missouri document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Missouri. In the meantime, the official Missouri court forms are linked below.
Official Missouri forms → See how it worksWhy LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
Missouri divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Missouri?
No. Missouri allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Missouri divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Missouri to file for divorce?
90 days
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Missouri?
~$130-$250, varies by circuit/county. Fee waiver: motion/affidavit to proceed in forma pauperis. With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.