Family Law Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis families facing divorce, custody, or support cases generally go through the city’s family court. A Missouri-licensed family law attorney serving St. Louis will discuss your situation for free.

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How we match your St. Louis family law case

When you submit a St. Louis family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Missouri law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Missouri who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Family Law cases in St. Louis

More about legal help in St. Louis →

Divorces involving professional practices and pensions, custody arrangements for parents living on opposite sides of the river, and support disputes shaped by shift work at hospitals and factories fill St. Louis’s family law dockets. Cases for city residents are heard in City of St. Louis courts, separate from the county. Missouri divides marital property equitably rather than equally, which leaves room for argument. DearLegal matches you with a Missouri-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in St. Louis, and the first review is free.

Divorce and custody cases for city residents are heard in City of St. Louis courts, not the county.
Cross-state custody with Illinois parents is a frequent issue for St. Louis families.
Missouri’s equitable-division rule means St. Louis property splits are negotiated, not automatic.

Missouri family law rules at a glance

St. Louis cases run under Missouri law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Missouri page.

Read the full Missouri family law guide →

Residency Requirement: 90 days
90 days in Missouri (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305); 30-day waiting period from filing
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.330)
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests with 8 factors (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.375); public policy of frequent, continuing, and meaningful contact
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — Missouri Child Support Guidelines (Form 14)
Spousal Support Framework: Maintenance
Maintenance under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.335 — court discretion based on 10 statutory factors
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do St. Louis family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Missouri · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Missouri are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Missouri are not handled on contingency. Missouri Rule of Professional Conduct 4-1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of maintenance, support, or property settlement. Missouri family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.355.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

St. Louis family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Missouri attorney will review it for free.

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City residents file in City of St. Louis courts, while suburban residents file in St. Louis County. Missouri has a short waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. An attorney can explain the timeline, temporary orders, and how property and custody are typically handled.

Missouri uses equitable distribution, meaning the court divides marital property fairly but not necessarily equally, considering factors like each spouse’s contributions and conduct. Pensions and professional practices need careful valuation. An attorney ensures the division reflects your actual situation.

Not without following Missouri’s relocation rules, which require written notice to the other parent and may require court approval. City of St. Louis judges focus on the child’s best interests. An attorney can help you request or oppose the move properly.

At minimum, 30 days from filing — Missouri’s waiting period under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at or shortly after the 30-day mark. Contested cases generally take 6–12 months.

Yes — irretrievable breakdown is the primary ground under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305. When one spouse denies breakdown, the court must find one of five factors (adultery, intolerable behavior, 6-month abandonment, 12-month mutual living apart, or 24-month consecutive living apart).