St. Charles Divorce Law Blog

Missouri is trying to ensure that progress continues to be made when it comes to families that reside within the state. A new bill, which supporters hope will soon be made a law, revolves around how courts handle child custody. Currently, it is not against the norm for one parent to have more custody than the other, but many parents insist such policy is unfair. 

Under the new bill, 50/50 custody would become the norm, unless the court is made aware of a legitimate reason that a child would be better off spending most of his or her time with one parent. A judge will now have a list of criteria to consider. If each parent can meet a child's needs, 50/50 custody will become the status quo. 

Missouri residents may find themselves considering divorce for any number of reasons. Without a doubt going through a divorce is an emotional and life-changing experience. Nevertheless, there are practical matters -- like finances and property division -- to tend to. An individual facing a high asset divorce will want to make sure his or her ducks are in a row. 

Many people work for decades to accumulate savings for retirement. After so many long days grinding away at a job, a person may look forward to the day when he or she can hang up the nine to five lifestyle and enjoy his or her golden years with friends and family. When divorce proceedings occur, these assets may be at risk. 

Missouri residents, even if not fans of rap music, may recall the untimely and tragic slaying of next generation superstar XXXTENTACION last summer. The artist, who was quickly becoming a favorite among teens and young adults, was slain in a hail of gunfire. His girlfriend at the time had recently found out she was carrying a child, and she is now asking the court for help to prove paternity. 

The baby boy was born about seven months after his father's murder. The mother of the child says that, so far, no one has questioned the child's paternity, but she does not want any trouble down the road. Though the rapper himself reportedly acknowledged that he was indeed the father, a DNA test could remove any current or future doubt. 

Missouri parents may look back upon their own childhoods and be amazed at how much has changed. Over the past few decades, such advances have been made that many parents find it amusing to see the bewilderment on a child's face upon hearing that just a generation ago, children their age did not have cellphones, the internet and other technology that is now commonplace. Gadgets are not the only advances that have been made, and now people are noticing exciting new standards regarding fathers' rights. 

Not so long ago, if a couple got divorced, it was not unusual for the mother to be awarded primary custody of the children for seemingly no reason at all. Socioeconomic factors certainly played a role, but -- to borrow from Bob Dylan, "times, they are a changin," which is great news for dads across the nation. These days, mom doesn't win just because she's mom.