Sep 20, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
In addition to the expansion of Orders of Protection in Missouri to address pet abuse, the new law also contains two other important expansions: the definition of stalking has been expanded and the length of the initial Order of Protection may now be up to ten years...
Sep 13, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
Effective August 28, 2021, Missouri has enacted strong protection for pets and their owners from domestic violence. A “pet” is defined as “a living creature maintained by a household member for companionship and not for commercial purposes.” Abuse of a pet can now...
Sep 3, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
Effective September 1, 2021, the Court may require the parties in any case where child custody or visitation is contested to participate, in good faith, in two (2) hours of mediation before a case will be set for trial. The mediation may be performed by a mediator...
Jul 9, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
I got this form Parenting Plan from a colleague many years ago for use in extreme cases where the parents are completely unable to co-parent and instead have the act in parallel. It provides the excruciating level of detail required in these extreme cases. It is not...
Jul 9, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
A lot has changed in Missouri since 1987. For me personally, I had been graduated from law school the year before and was enjoying my first job as a real lawyer, as a clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals. I now have been in private practice for more than 30 years....
Jun 10, 2021 | Virtual Coffee Break
I read an interesting blog post earlier this week posted by a colleague whom I hold in high regard, although I disagree with her on this point. She answered the above question by saying, in part, that the dissolution of marriage action or divorce must be filed in the...
