Divorce · Uncontested Divorce · Mediation · Name Change
St. Louis Divorce Lawyer
Locally owned St. Louis family law firm helping individuals and parents through divorce, custody, and name changes since 2012. Clear answers, steady guidance, and a plan built for your family.
Family law in St. Louis
How we can help
Divorce, custody, mediation, and Missouri name changes, handled by one attorney who has practiced only family law since 2001. Start with the service that fits your situation, or call and we will help you figure out which one does.
Divorce
Contested or uncontested, with children or without. We help you understand your options in plain language and build a strategy that fits your family and Missouri law.
Divorce in St. Louis →
Uncontested Divorce
If you and your spouse agree on the major issues, an uncontested divorce may be a simpler and lower-cost path. We handle the filings and keep it moving.
Uncontested divorce →
Mediation
A neutral path to agreement for couples and co-parents. David is on the St. Louis County Family Court’s Court Approved Mediator List.
Mediation →
Name Change
Adult and minor name changes in Missouri, handled start to finish: the petition, the hearing, and the paperwork that follows.
Missouri name change →Divorce in St. Louis
What we help with during divorce
If you are searching for a divorce attorney in St. Louis, you likely have questions that go well beyond filing paperwork. Many divorces involve decisions about finances, parenting schedules, and the future of a shared home or business. We identify the issues most likely to shape your outcome and prepare for them early.
- Division of property and debt: clarifying what is marital and what is separate, documenting assets, and negotiating a fair distribution when possible.
- Parenting plans: building schedules that reflect real life, including school routines, holidays, transportation, and communication between households.
- Child support: helping you understand how support is calculated in Missouri and how exceptional circumstances may be handled.
- Spousal support (maintenance): evaluating whether support may apply, for how long, and what factors may influence the amount.
- Legal separation: when a separation makes more sense than a divorce, or as a first step toward one.
- Protecting your future: addressing practical concerns like housing, temporary agreements, and the documentation needed for settlement or court.
Considering an uncontested divorce in Missouri? If you and your spouse agree on the major issues, an uncontested divorce may be a simpler and lower-cost path forward.
David S. Betz, Attorney
A family law attorney who has seen custody cases from every chair
David S. Betz founded The Betz Law Firm in 2012. He earned his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, has been licensed in Missouri since 2001, and has practiced family law exclusively ever since, 25 years and counting.
He serves on the approved Guardian ad Litem lists for the St. Louis County and St. Louis City family courts, where judges appoint him to represent children’s interests in custody cases, and on the St. Louis County Family Court’s Court Approved Mediator List. That work shapes how he represents parents: the recommendation a court reads is one he has written many times himself.
In his words, the goal is to help families resolve custody and divorce matters with compassion and pragmatism. Calm and prepared by default, firm when a case requires it.
Licensed in Missouri
Missouri Bar, in good standing, since 2001.
Years in family law only
Divorce, custody, support, and name changes. Nothing else.
Court GAL lists
Approved Guardian ad Litem for the St. Louis County and St. Louis City family courts.
Google rating
From 54 reviews by clients, co-parents, and the families he has served as GAL.
What to expect
A clear process when you feel stuck
People often call after weeks or months of uncertainty. Clarity reduces stress, so we focus on helping you understand what is happening and what comes next.
1
Listen first
We start by learning about your family, your concerns, and your goals, in your words. Everything you share in a consultation is confidential.
2
Identify what drives your case
Parenting time, finances, safety, communication. Each case has a few pressure points that shape most decisions. We find them early so you are not forced into rushed choices later.
3
Work toward a resolution
When appropriate, we pursue negotiation, mediation, or settlement to reduce conflict and cost. If your case needs the courtroom, we prepare your position carefully and advocate for you there.
Google reviews
What St. Louis families say
Where we practice
Serving families across the St. Louis area
Our office is at 120 E Lockwood Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. We appear regularly in the St. Louis County and St. Louis City family courts and represent clients throughout the metro area.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a divorce attorney or can handle this myself?
Some divorces can be handled without an attorney, but whether that makes sense depends on your specific situation. If your marriage is short, you have no children, your finances are relatively simple, and both parties are in full agreement, a self-represented process may be manageable.
Most divorces involve at least one factor that can create real risk without legal guidance: a shared home, retirement accounts, a business, children, debt, or disagreement about any of the above. Mistakes made in a divorce decree can be difficult or impossible to correct later. Even if you believe your case is simple, a consultation with a St. Louis divorce attorney can help you identify issues you may not have considered.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce generally means the parties can reach an agreement on the central issues (property, parenting time, and support) without a court fight. A contested divorce means some disputes require negotiation, court involvement, or both. Many cases fall somewhere in the middle: some issues are agreed upon while others need more help to resolve. The earlier you identify the disputed issues, the more effectively you can plan. Learn more about uncontested divorce in St. Louis.
Do I need to file first to protect myself in a divorce?
Not always. In some cases, filing first may provide clarity and structure, especially when there are urgent issues like temporary custody, temporary support, or use of the marital home. In other situations, it may be better to gather information, document finances, and plan next steps before filing. We can help you evaluate timing and risks based on your specific circumstances.
How does custody get decided in Missouri?
Custody and parenting plans are based on the child’s best interests. Courts may consider a range of factors, including the child’s needs, each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, and the practicality of proposed schedules. Strong parenting plans are specific, realistic, and designed to reduce future conflict. We help clients develop proposals that reflect real life and protect consistency for the child. See custody and parenting plans.
Can child support or custody be changed later?
In many cases, modifications may be possible when there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a job change, relocation, shifts in parenting time, or new needs for the child. The process and standard depend on the type of order and the facts involved. If an existing order no longer fits your family’s reality, we can help you review whether a modification may make sense.
What should I bring to a consultation?
If you have them, it helps to bring basic financial information (income, monthly expenses, debts), any existing court orders, and a simple outline of your concerns about your parenting schedule. If you do not have everything, that is okay. Many clients do not. We will help you identify what matters most and what documents could be helpful next.
Ready for answers? Start with a conversation.
If you are facing divorce, custody questions, or another family law matter in St. Louis, you do not have to navigate it alone. Call or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances.