Residency Requirements	One of the spouses must be a resident of Missouri for 90 days before filing for dissolution of marriage
Where to File	The dissolution of marriage should be filed in the county where the Plaintiff resides.
Grounds for Divorce	Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved is the only grounds for dissolution of marriage in Missouri.
Voluntary or required mediation	No
Voluntary or recommended Counseling	Yes
Property Distribution	Missouri is an "equitable distribution" state. Each spouse retains his or her separate property obtained prior to the marriage, including any gifts or inheritances. In addition, any property exchanged for separate property or interest obtained from holding separate property remains as separate. Commingled property does not become marital solely by virtue of the act of commingling.
Child Custody	Joint or sole custody is awarded based on the best interests of the child and upon consideration of the following factors: The preference of the child The wishes of the parents The child's adjustment to his or her home, school, and community The mental and physical health of all individuals involved Any history of child or spouse abuse The child's need for a continuing relationship with both parents Both parents willingness and ability to perform parental obligations The intention of either parent to relocate his or her residence outside Missouri Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent and meaningful contact with the other parent The relationship of the child with parents, siblings, and other significant family members No preference is to be given because of parent's sex, age or financial status, or the child's age, or sex. A parent not granted custody is entitled to reasonable visitation.
Child Support	Either or both parents may be ordered to provide child support. The following factors are considered: The father's primary responsibility for the support of his child The financial resources and needs of the child The standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the marriage had not been dissolved The physical and emotional conditions and educational needs of the child The financial resources, needs, and obligations of both the noncustodial and the custodial parent
Spousal Support	Either spouse may be awarded maintenance if that spouse can show: (1) an inability to support his or herself; and (2) a lack of sufficient property (including his or her share of any marital property) to provide for his or her own needs; or (3) that the spouse seeking support is the custodian of a child whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate for that spouse not to seek outside employment. The following factors are considered: (1) the time necessary to acquire sufficient education and training to enable the spouse to find appropriate employment, and that spouse's future earning capacity; (2) the standard of living established during the marriage; (3) the duration of the marriage; (4) the ability of the spouse from whom support is sought to meet his or her needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking support; (5) the financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to such spouse and such spouse's ability to meet his or her needs independently; (6) the age of the spouses; (7) the physical and emotional conditions of the spouses; (8) the obligations, assets, and separate property of the spouses; (9) the comparative earning capacities of each spouse; and (10) the conduct of the spouses during the marriage.