Divorce can feel like your life is being rewritten overnight—emotionally, financially, and as a parent. At Besserman Law, we help clients move through the legal process with clarity and control. This page is designed to be a comprehensive, consumer-friendly overview of divorce in Missouri and Illinois—what to expect, what matters most, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Divorce is a legal process—but it’s also a life transition. The best outcomes come from a plan that protects your kids, stabilizes your finances, and reduces conflict. We take time to listen, explain the law in plain English, and build a strategy tailored to your situation.
A divorce judgment impacts your future for years—property, retirement, parenting time, relocation rules, insurance, taxes, and enforcement. The goal is not just to “get divorced,” but to create an outcome you can live with—and enforce—long after court.
Most divorces follow the same core path: filing → disclosure → temporary issues → negotiation → final judgment. The difference between a 60–90 day divorce and a 12–18 month divorce is usually conflict level, complexity, and whether parents can agree.
One spouse starts the case by filing the petition and serving the other spouse. This sets deadlines and begins court jurisdiction.
Courts can address temporary parenting schedules, support, possession of the home, and bill payment while the case is pending.
The case becomes “numbers-based.” Income, expenses, debts, accounts, retirement, and real estate are identified and valued. This is where hidden income/asset issues often surface.
Many cases resolve through negotiated settlement or mediation, reducing cost and stress while allowing more control over outcomes.
The court enters the final judgment/judgment of dissolution, incorporating the parenting plan, support orders, and property division.
Courts focus on the child’s best interests. The strongest plans are detailed, realistic, and designed to reduce future conflict—especially for co-parenting.
Divorce isn’t just about “splitting things.” It’s about making decisions that shape a new financial reality—housing, retirement, debt, taxes, support, and long-term security.
Both Missouri and Illinois generally divide marital property under an equitable (fair) distribution framework. “Fair” depends on the facts: duration of marriage, contributions, income, needs, and parenting responsibilities.
Many disputes come down to missing information: retirement accounts, business income, bonuses, credit lines, and “off-book” cash. We focus on documentation so outcomes are correct—and enforceable.
Spousal maintenance is not automatic. Courts evaluate need, ability to pay, and factors like the length of the marriage, earning capacity, and the marital standard of living.
Maintenance is typically designed to help a spouse transition—through job training, stabilization, and rebuilding—not to create lifelong dependency (unless the facts justify long-term support).
Most people want an uncontested divorce—and that’s often achievable. The key is reaching written agreement on the major categories: kids, money, and property division.
The process is similar, but there are meaningful differences in terminology, minimum timelines, and statutory frameworks. Below is a simplified guide—always confirm your specifics with counsel.
Honest, plain-English answers to what people ask when they’re trying to make a decision—or protect themselves.
This page provides general information as of 2026 and is not legal advice. Laws, local court rules, and procedures can change. Consult an attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
These frequently asked questions cover common divorce and family law issues in Missouri and Illinois. Each question is clearly labeled by state so updates remain easy to track over time. This page is general educational information and not legal advice.
Filing, no-fault rules, timing, and separation requirements—labeled by state.
Equitable distribution, the house, retirement accounts, and maintenance/alimony.
Best-interest standards, parenting time, and how support is calculated.
Pregnancy, hidden assets, relocation, domestic violence, and enforcement.