Missouri Dissolution of Marriage Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Preparation

  • Confirm residency: one spouse has lived in Missouri for 90+ days
  • Identify the Circuit Court in your county (or the county where your spouse lives)
  • Gather financial documentation for both spouses:
    • Current pay stubs (2–3 most recent)
    • Last 2–3 years of federal and state tax returns
    • All bank and savings account statements
    • Investment account statements
    • Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
    • Mortgage statement (balance, payoff, monthly payment)
    • Vehicle loan statements
    • Credit card and other debt statements
    • Business documentation (if applicable)
  • Identify all marital property (acquired during marriage)
  • Identify all non-marital property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) — keep separate to protect
  • Note any commingling that may have converted non-marital to marital property

Phase 2 — Form 14 (If Minor Children)

  • Download Form 14 from courts.mo.gov
  • Complete the worksheet:
    • Both spouses' gross monthly income
    • Number of children
    • Health insurance cost for children
    • Work-related childcare costs
    • Parenting time (projected overnights per year)
  • Review the calculated child support amount
  • If proposing deviation from Form 14 amount: prepare written findings

Phase 3 — Draft the Marital Settlement Agreement

  • Identify and agree on all marital property division (equitable, not necessarily equal):
    • Real estate (marital home, any investment or rental property)
    • Bank and savings accounts
    • Investment accounts
    • Retirement accounts (QDRO or IRA transfer)
    • Vehicles
    • Significant personal property
    • Business interests
  • Identify and agree on debt allocation (each debt assigned to one spouse; indemnification)
  • Non-marital property — confirm stays with original owner; document
  • Maintenance (Missouri 8 factors) — amount, duration, and termination events; OR written waiver
  • If children: legal custody, physical custody, Parenting Plan, child support per Form 14

Phase 4 — Draft the Parenting Plan (If Children)

  • Legal custody (joint or sole)
  • Physical custody / primary residence
  • School-year parenting schedule (specific days, times, exchange locations)
  • Summer schedule
  • Holiday schedule (named holidays, alternating or fixed)
  • Vacation advance notice
  • Relocation notice requirement
  • Child support per Form 14 results

Phase 5 — Complete Required Forms

  • Download from courts.mo.gov (Self-Help section):
    • Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
    • Summons (if serving the other party)
    • Entry of Appearance / Waiver of Service (if cooperative Respondent)
    • Marital Settlement Agreement (drafted by parties)
    • Form 14 (if children)
    • Parenting Plan (if children)
    • Vital Records Form (for state records)

Phase 6 — File the Legal File at Circuit Court

  • Assemble the complete "legal file" (all documents filed together)
  • Make 3+ copies of the complete packet
  • File at the Circuit Court clerk's office in your county
  • Pay filing fee ($100–$163)
  • Receive case number
  • Note the FILING DATE — 30-day clock starts

Phase 7 — Serve the Respondent

  • Respondent signs Entry of Appearance / Waiver of Service, OR
  • Petitioner serves Respondent via sheriff, process server, or certified mail

Phase 8 — The 30-Day Wait

  • Mark Day 31 on your calendar (first day dissolution can be granted)
  • Schedule the finalization hearing with the court (for any date on or after Day 31)

Phase 9 — Finalization Hearing

  • Attend hearing at Circuit Court
  • Present Marital Settlement Agreement and Form 14 (if applicable)
  • Provide brief testimony under oath (in most Missouri counties)
  • Judge enters Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

Phase 10 — Post-Dissolution

  • Real estate: Prepare Quitclaim Deed → record at county Recorder of Deeds
  • Vehicles: Missouri DOR title transfer
  • Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer for IRAs
  • Beneficiary designations: Update all — 401k, IRA, life insurance
  • Name restoration: Social Security → Missouri DOR driver's license → bank accounts

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Forms: courts.mo.gov | Form 14 mandatory for child support | 30-day wait from filing

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.