We help clients throughout St. Louis City and County navigate both negotiated settlements and courtroom trials with compassion and clarity.
When couples begin the divorce process in Missouri, most hope to resolve matters outside of the courtroom. Mediation, negotiation, and collaborative divorce are all viable alternatives to litigation. However, not all cases can be settled amicably.
If you’re facing the possibility of going to court, it’s important to understand why some divorces require judicial intervention — and how you can prepare to protect your rights and future.
David and his team are excellent to work with. The care, expertise, along with the ease and frequency of communications always kept me well informed and aware of the status of my situation. I cannot recommend The Betz Law Firm enough and I won’t hesitate to call them again in the future if I ever require their services again.
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.
Common Reasons Divorces Go to Court in Missouri
While Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you don’t need to prove wrongdoing to end your marriage, several circumstances may necessitate court intervention:
- Disagreement Over Whether the Marriage is “Irretrievably Broken” – In Missouri, a court must find that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” with “no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.” If your spouse denies this and the court agrees, litigation becomes necessary. In some cases, the court might initially grant a legal separation instead of a divorce.
- Complex Property Division – When couples own substantial marital property and cannot agree on division, the court process becomes more involved. This is especially true when appraisers and other professionals must be retained to value assets. Business interests, retirement accounts, and real estate often require careful evaluation and can become contentious issues.
- Child Custody Disputes – Few divorce matters are more emotionally charged than disagreements over child custody. When there are allegations of child neglect or abuse, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests, adding another layer to the proceedings.
- Spousal Support (Maintenance) Conflicts – Missouri courts may grant maintenance if they find that the spouse seeking support lacks sufficient property to provide for their reasonable needs and is unable to support themselves through appropriate employment. Disagreements about the amount or duration of maintenance often require judicial resolution.
- Allegations of Marital Misconduct – When one or both parties are accused of marital misconduct, such as adultery or abuse, this can affect property division or spousal maintenance decisions. Such allegations frequently lead to contested hearings.
- Power Imbalance or Safety Concerns – Domestic violence, mental health issues, or significant power imbalances may make equitable negotiations impossible, necessitating court intervention. In these situations, the court provides a structured environment where both parties can be heard.
- Bad Faith Negotiations – A trial may be necessary if your spouse refuses to negotiate honestly and fairly. Some individuals deliberately prolong proceedings or hide assets, making court oversight essential.
What to Expect in a Missouri Divorce Trial
Divorce trials follow a structured process, and knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety:
- Pre-Trial Discovery – Each side gathers evidence — financial records, parenting plans, expert opinions — to build their case.
- Courtroom Proceedings – A judge, not a jury, hears the case. Each side presents opening statements, calls witnesses, and submits evidence. Your attorney will cross-examine the opposing party’s witnesses and advocate for your best interests.
- Judgment – After both sides present their cases, the judge issues a final divorce decree that includes rulings on custody, property division, and support. This order is legally binding.
How to Prepare for a Court Divorce in Missouri
- Hire an Experienced St. Louis Divorce Attorney
- It is strongly recommended that you hire an experienced divorce attorney to represent you. If you choose to represent yourself, you will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage in settlement negotiations and in the courtroom. A knowledgeable attorney familiar with St. Louis family courts can make an enormous difference in your case outcome.
- Gather and Organize Financial Documentation
- Tax returns for the past 3-5 years
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account information
- Mortgage and loan documents
- Credit card statements
- Pay stubs and employment information
- Business records (if applicable)
- Documentation of valuable assets
- Document Parenting Responsibilities – If Children are Involved
- Your involvement in day-to-day childcare
- School activities and communications
- Medical appointments and healthcare decisions
- Extracurricular activities
- Special family traditions you maintain
- Prepare a Realistic Budget
- Create a detailed post-divorce budget that reflects your actual living expenses. This will help inform decisions about property division and support needs, and demonstrate to the court that you’ve considered your financial situation carefully.
- Consider Your Priorities and Potential Compromises
- Identify what matters most to you in the divorce outcome, and where you might be willing to compromise. Being clear about your priorities helps your attorney develop an effective strategy.
- Maintain Your Composure
- Complete Required Parent Education
- Missouri courts require divorcing parents to attend a court-sponsored Parent Education Program. Both parties must provide a certificate of program completion within 45 days of filing or receiving the divorce petition.
A Better Future Starts with the Right Representation
While courtroom trials can be intimidating, they are sometimes necessary to ensure a fair outcome. With the right preparation and legal support, you can navigate the process with confidence.
At The Betz Law Firm, we combine in-depth knowledge of Missouri family law with a compassionate, client-first approach. Whether your divorce is resolved in mediation or the courtroom, we’re here to guide and protect you every step of the way.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
