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.