How is a Dissolution of Marriage started?
Each Dissolution of Marriage action in Missouri begins with the filing of a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” with the proper court. The party who files the petition (whether it is the husband or the wife) is known as the “petitioner” and the other party is called the “respondent.” The petition must state that the marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken and that there is no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. In addition, the Petition must provide the court with certain other information about the parties and their marriage, including the date and location of the marriage, when the parties separated, where the parties currently reside and work, whether there are any minor children of the marriage and where they presently reside. If the petitioner is seeking maintenance (alimony) from the other party, certain statements must be included in the petition which show the need for maintenance. If minor children are involved, the petition should tell the cou
