Resources & Checklists
Official Missouri resources, document checklists, and preparation guides to help you stay organized through every step.
Official Missouri Resources
Missouri Courts
Official Missouri court system — forms, filing instructions, court locations, and self-help resources.
Missouri Revisor of Statutes
Current Missouri statutes including family law (Title XXX, Chapters 452–455).
Missouri Bar Lawyer Referral
Find a licensed Missouri attorney through the Missouri Bar's lawyer referral service.
Missouri Legal Aid
Free and low-cost legal assistance for qualifying Missouri residents.
Documents to Gather
- Marriage certificate
- Income records (pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s) for the past 2–3 years
- Federal and state tax returns (past 3–5 years)
- Bank account statements (checking, savings, CDs)
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
- Investment and brokerage account statements
- Real estate deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles and loan statements
- Credit card and debt statements
- Life, health, auto, and homeowner insurance policies
- Children's records (school, medical, activities)
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- Business ownership documents and valuations
Questions for Your Attorney
- 1What is your experience with Missouri family law?
- 2What are the likely outcomes given my situation?
- 3How will property and debts be divided?
- 4What custody arrangement is realistic?
- 5Should I file first, or does it matter?
- 6What are the estimated costs and timeline?
- 7Will I need to pay or receive spousal maintenance?
- 8How should I handle communication with my spouse?
- 9What should I do to protect my financial interests?
- 10Are there any urgent steps I should take right now?
Things to Do Before Filing
- Secure personal documents and make lawful copies
- Open individual bank account if you don't have one
- Establish your own credit if needed
- Document household assets and debts
- Create a monthly budget and living expenses estimate
- Set up a separate, secure email account
- Change passwords on personal accounts
- Begin gathering records from the documents checklist
- Consult with a licensed Missouri family-law attorney
- If there are safety concerns, contact a domestic violence resource