St. Louis Divorce Lawyers
A couple generally does not decide to divorce easily. Following through with it is even more trying as the complexities become overwhelming.
Our St. Louis divorce lawyers are committed to guiding our clients and their families through the divorce process with the least amount of emotional trauma and turmoil possible. We do this while keeping the interests and future of the family as a top priority.
David was amazing in my case. He was very helpful and very informative and also very understanding. Easy to communicate with.
Mr Betz worked with both of us for us with our mediation, no matter how frustrating she was becoming. He handled the situation very calmly and professionally. Thank you for helping it come to a resolution.
I have worked with Mr. Betz a number of times and have always found him to be a wonderful GAL and mediator. He does the work, gets things done, and cares about the tasks and people involved. I highly recommend him as both a GAL and mediator.
I hired the services of David Betz for purposes of getting a name change and him and his paralegal Debbye were professional, answered emails promptly, and were able to handle a complication in my case with no problems. Would highly recommend Mr. Betz.
Mr. Betz is a knowledgeable and helpful straight shooter who truly cares about kids! Highly recommend.
The Betz Law Firm assisted my son with legally changing his name. They were extremely easy to work and very helpful!!!
David Betz and Debbye Lasky were both wonderful to work with and accomplished what I needed done.
David was very professional and helpful for our child during a recent litigation. I would highly recommend his firm for GAL service or attorney service!
Fair Guardian Ad Litem who has walked a tightrope of a custody case
I was very impressed with Mr. Betz’s service. He was the GAL for my children. He was very professional, fair-but-caring and advocated tireless for the children’s best interests. He took his time to talk to them about their wishes, giving us sound advice and guided us through an otherwise contentious process. I appreciated his professionalism, ethics and would highly recommend him.
My son and I have worked with David Betz for several years in custody matters concerning my grandson. I have found him to be genuinely concerned with our situation and responsive to our needs. He listens carefully and handles matters promptly. He is realistic in evaluating situations and helps us to arrive at the best possible alternatives. I highly recommend him for family law matters.
I am a transfeminine nonbinary person that used The Betz Firm to get my name changed. They were extremely affirming, and excited to work with me through this as it was an immensely huge deal for me. Thank you Betz Firm, for making this a reality for me!
Joel and David are extremely helpful and helped with everything I needed. They are kind and worked with me with all of my needs regarding my case! I would recommend to everyone!
David was phenomenal in helping me secure protection and safety for myself and my daughter during the divorce and custody case. We ultimately prevailed at the end with 100% custody and a judgement in favor of the petitioner for support, with heavy stipulations in place for visitation. David by your side in the courtroom is a sure fire win. Place your bets on Betz!
David was super helpful in getting all of my questions answered. He was kind and patient while I explained the situation I was dealing with, and outlined numerous options and avenues that I had as choices. He didn't sugar coat things and was honest where he thought struggles would appear in the case, and talked through best and worst case scenarios. He also was nice enough to offer additional phone calls if more questions came up while choosing how to move forward with the case. I would highly recommend talking to David about your case if you need a family lawyer, as it's obvious that he is kind, and extremely knowledgeable about family law and the complications it can involve.
The Betz Firm has handled all of our family law needs. They are an impressive team to work with and they have the ability to find the best solution for their clients.
I have all the world to say about this man. He helped me piece my life back together.
David Betz took the time to answer all of my questions and was very kind, thoughtful, considerate, and most importantly of all knowledgeable. I very much appreciated his time and help!
The staff is very professional and friendly and comforting to their clients (the children). They definitely put us all at ease during an uncomfortable time.David himself is very easy to talk to, and both of my kids really liked him. I am very impressed with their involvement in our case. He has been easy to work with and good at getting back to us in a timely manner with issues regarding our case.I would highly recommend his office to anyone in need of legal help for their children.10 months later...I wanted to add, we have been in this case for 22 months and it’s about to wrap up. David has been amazing. My 16 year old daughter had kind of lost her faith in the system and in adults - David really worked with her and helped hold her accountable, but also gave her a voice, great advice, and really won her over. She really trusts him. When she was struggling, she would ask to call David. When I was struggling with her, I would threaten to call David and she would become more agreeable. She really trusts and respects him. Which for me, takes a unique skill set. Not everyone can get an unhappy teen to comply and also still keep their trust and respect. My son loved David too. Both kids looked forward to our apts with David. Which when you are fighting a child support/ custody case and your drained, it’s so nice to have parts of the process be so easy and helpful. And that’s what we got from David and his staff.David has offered to be available if he can help after the case with questions or getting a teenager in line. They were understanding and more than fair with my payment options. Joel, his assistant- is a joy to talk to and prompt to respond and he chatted with the kids and put them at ease in a very uncomfortable situation. I can’t say enough good things about them.We drive past their office every day on the way to school and my daughter said she wanted to stop by and take David a Christmas present. That’s pretty impressive for a 16 year old.They really made a very unbearable situation so much better; David even made us smile and laugh during a very nerve wracking time.I would highly recommend them to anyone. Definitely 5 plus stars!
David helped me successfully navigate through a challenging legal scenario, where timely direction and counsel were paramount to a positive outcome. He quickly understood the issues at hand, provided very practical advice, all the while demonstrating his firm understanding of the law. Just as importantly, his advice was grounded in how the practical application of that knowledge would lead to a positive outcome. He was easy to talk with, a focused listener, honest, and it was obvious that he was not out for his own gain. It was nothing short of a positive experience from start to finish!
I retained David Betz for my divorce and very happy with how things turned out. David and his team went straight to work and kept me updated every step of the way. If you looking for someone to get the job done, then look no further. Thank You David and Joel for all you have done for me!!
I felt comfortable with David and was always treated with respect and listened to.
Such a great experience working with David. He truly was looking after my child's best interest and that's what it's all about. But he also was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and explained everything so that even my 7 year old could understand. Well done.
David is a great person and lawyer. He was on top of the situation instantly also very professional. I would recommend him to anyone that wants not only a lawyer but a friend he listened to my concerns and took action thats what I like about him. Thanks David ! My life is forever changed !
David actually cared and unlike most attorneys, did not try to take as much as possible. I am satisfied and got everything I needed.
David Betz is professional and is very to the point! He knows the law and helps to get you a fair deal. He helped me get 50 percent custody of my kids and my home back from my ex. His staff are very knowledgeable and helpfully as well! I highly recommend him to anyone going though a custody battle!
I was in a very tough spot legally with a family situation. David was able to help me out and I got much more than I ever expected from the court. I give David the highest possible rating!!! He will do what is necessary to help you with your family law situation.
David Betz is very kind and will answer any questions you have regarding your case in a timely manner. I highly recommend him.
Really listened and provided solid advice and assistance. Always made himself available and never rushed our meetings. He really cared about our outcome, I felt like a friend rather than a client. A great attorney and true professional.
Our Divorce Law Services
Our legal practice is focused exclusively on family law. Our staff of experienced professionals has immense knowledge of all legal issues that can arise during a divorce. We have assisted hundreds of clients with:
Filing for Divorce in St. Louis
Missouri Residency Requirements
For a divorce petition to be heard in a St. Louis court, at least one of the parties named must be a resident of Missouri. Armed services personnel must be stationed in the state for at least 90 days before the divorce may be filed.
Grounds for Divorce
The petitioner in a St. Louis divorce proceeding must also cite the grounds for seeking a dissolution of the marriage. The grounds for the divorce request will be that the marriage has been irretrievably broken and that there is no reason to believe it can be preserved any longer. You may have heard of this also being referred to as irreconcilable differences.
If both parties agree that the marriage is indeed irretrievably broken, the judge presiding over the proceedings will accept that as grounds and grant the petition. If the other spouse disagrees, the petitioner may be asked to prove that the marriage has been irretrievably broken and there is no chance of reconciliation between the two parties. In this case, the petitioner can present evidence of any of the following circumstances:
- Adultery
- Abandonment
- Voluntary Separation of One Year
- Involuntary Separation of Two Years
- Incompatibility
Our team of experienced divorce attorneys and aides assists our clients with these difficult decisions and helps them choose the most relevant grounds for their case. Amid so much emotional upheaval, it can be difficult for the petitioner to face these choices. Our team of considerate attorneys will be there to help see you through these rough times.
The Divorce Filing Process
The formal request for divorce in St. Louis is the petition for dissolution of marriage. This legal document states that you, the petitioner, would like to terminate your marriage with your spouse, the respondent. The process includes:
- Filing with the correct court
- Serving your spouse with the petition
- Waiting for a response within the allocated timeframe
- Resolving key issues (custody, support, property division)
- The final decree from the judge
Several issues may arise during divorce proceedings, including Custody and support of minor children and division of joint properties. Your divorce attorney will walk you through these issues and work to ensure they are resolved to your satisfaction.
The judge will grant the divorce once all the divorce issues have been resolved. There is no exact time frame, as every divorce proceeding has its own unique set of circumstances. After the judge has agreed to give the divorce, the court will create a legal document known as a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. This document names both parties and states they are no longer legally bound by marriage.
Protecting Children During Divorce
The pending break-up of parents is particularly hard on the children who are still living at home. Our experienced family law team understands your family’s emotional challenges during this transition. We help parents create solutions prioritizing their children’s well-being while protecting parental rights, ensuring every decision puts your children’s needs first.
Understanding Child Custody in Missouri
Before finalizing your divorce, Missouri law requires the court to approve a comprehensive parenting plan. This crucial document will shape your children’s daily lives and relationships with both parents. Understanding the different types of custody arrangements is essential for making informed decisions about your children’s future.
Physical Custody Arrangements
Physical custody determines where your child lives and how time is divided between parents. The parenting plan will control your time with your children through specific schedules and arrangements, including:
- Weekend and holiday schedules
- Overnight arrangements
- Vacation time distribution
- Day-to-day care responsibilities
Joint Physical Custody
When parents can share time effectively, courts often award Joint Physical Custody. This arrangement works best when:
- Both parents live reasonably close to each other
- Parents can maintain cooperative communication
- Schedules allow for meaningful time with both parents
- Children can maintain stability between homes
Sole Physical Custody
In some cases, Sole Physical Custody may be more appropriate, particularly when parents live far apart, or other circumstances make equal time-sharing impractical. Even in sole custody arrangements, the other parent typically maintains regular visitation rights to ensure ongoing relationships with their children.
Legal Custody and Decision-Making
Legal custody addresses how parents make important decisions about their children’s upbringing. Missouri courts strongly favor Joint Legal Custody, which requires parents to collaborate on major decisions affecting their children.
Legal custody covers crucial decisions, including:
Medical Decisions
- Selection of primary care physician
- Mental health evaluations and treatment
- Decisions about ADHD testing and treatment
- Approval for medical procedures
Educational Choices
- School selection and enrollment
- Decisions about Advanced Placement courses
- Special education services if needed
- Extracurricular activity participation
Types of Legal Custody
Joint Legal Custody
The courts strongly prefer this arrangement, where both parents share decision-making responsibilities. This requires:
- Regular communication between parents
- Mutual agreement on major decisions
- Ability to cooperate on children’s behalf
- Shared responsibility for important choices
Sole Legal Custody
When parents struggle to communicate effectively, Sole Legal Custody might be necessary. In these cases:
- One parent receives primary decision-making authority
- The other parent maintains the right to stay informed
- Non-custodial parent receives updates about grades, medical appointments, and important events
- Information sharing remains required even without decision-making authority
Creating an Effective Parenting Plan
Developing a comprehensive parenting plan requires careful consideration of your children’s needs and practical realities. While these decisions can be challenging, reaching agreement between parents typically leads to better outcomes than leaving decisions to the judge.
Your parenting plan should address the following:
- Detailed time-sharing schedules
- Holiday and vacation arrangements
- Communication protocols
- Decision-making processes
- Financial responsibilities
- Emergency procedures
Working Together for Your Children’s Future
Our family law team brings legal experience and genuine compassion to your custody case. We focus on reducing conflict while protecting your parental rights, helping you create arrangements that work for everyone involved. We aim to help you build a strong foundation for co-parenting that will serve your family well in the years ahead.
St. Louis Divorce Attorneys At Work
Hundreds of questions come to mind as the stark reality of divorce settles in. As a firm, we aim to help you find the answers to those questions and begin the next phase of your life as easily as possible. We are dedicated to providing our clients and their families with kind, personalized, and professional legal representation throughout the divorce process.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
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