Divorce is a process that can often feel lengthy and emotionally draining. In Missouri, the law stipulates a minimum 30-day period from the time all paperwork has been submitted in court, providing couples with a window to possibly reconsider their decision. However, the overall time it takes to finalize a divorce can vary greatly depending on various factors unique to your situation. With years of experience in family law, I, Scott A. Hamblin, stand ready to guide you through the intricacies of the divorce process. Call for a consultation, and I can help you determine how long it might take for you.
The length of the divorce process is largely dictated by whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. In a contested divorce, the couple disagrees on one or more issues such as child support, custody or visitation, alimony or spousal maintenance, division of assets and allocation of debts. This disagreement not only prolongs the duration of the divorce but could also escalate the cost. Some high-asset divorces may require the assistance of evaluators or forensic accountants to scrutinize and decipher the couple’s financial information. In cases where custody is disputed, a guardian ad litem may be appointed by the court.
On the other hand, an uncontested divorce involves agreement from both parties on all issues before the divorce petition is filed. This type of divorce is generally quicker to finalize. In Missouri, an uncontested divorce can be obtained through a Default proceeding or Joint Petition. In a Default proceeding, one party files a petition for divorce, and the respondent has 30 days to file their answer. If the respondent agrees to all terms in the petition, a waiting period of 30 days ensues before a divorce order can be signed and issued. In a Joint Petition, both spouses file a petition for divorce together, which then directly proceeds to the final hearing before the judge.
Certain issues may require court attention before a judgment can be issued. Urgent financial concerns, discovery disputes, allegations of abuse and similar matters will delay the case’s progress. Additionally, the level of conflict between the parties can significantly influence the duration of the divorce proceedings.
The number of cases pending before the court can also affect the length of the divorce process. A heavy caseload or limited availability of the judge may extend the time it takes to finalize the divorce.
Divorce is a complex process that impacts your emotions, finances, family and friends. Therefore, it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer by your side. As your advocate, I, Scott A. Hamblin, am committed to ensuring that your case proceeds as smoothly and quickly as possible. If you are considering filing for a divorce, do not hesitate to reach out to my office for a consultation to discuss your situation. With professional experience and compassionate understanding, I am prepared to guide you through this challenging time.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
When first starting out I wasn't sure who could handle my situation I was in I did some research on Google and found Scott Hamblin and read the reviews I ended up hiring Scott Hamblin and I was in a situation where the Mom was making really bad allegations and alienating me from my Child but in the end Scott Hamblin was a great lawyer he did his job extremely well and was able to get my son back to me I definitely would recommend him to anyone that is in need with any kind of legal or family case.
Attorney Hamblin is extremely professional, kind, and caring. We hired him for a family law case. We won!! He was prepared for the case and did an excellent job. I would highly recommend him. I trust him so much that I’m planning to have him help us with our will next. I deeply appreciate how hard he worked for us.
I was going through a contested divorce case and custody battle. When I hired Scott I felt my world was crashing around me. Scott jumped in and handled the case very professionally and to the point. He argued the facts and made sure that my rights was not violated. I am happy to report that I have my children with me now and could not be happier. Thank you Scott for fighting for me. If I ever need an attorney again, Scott Hamblin will be the one that I am going to call.
I hired Scott in the middle of my 2 yearlong custody modification case. After discussing with Scott about how I felt I did not have an aggressive enough lawyer with my first lawyer for the case, I was fighting against ex-husband, Scott gladly took the case. Scott and Madysn were extremely responsive with questions that I had and, helped me along the way to make the best decisions for my case with my financial situation in mind. Scott left no rock unturned in the trial and was extremely prepared for the case. After a long 2 days' worth of trial,…
Scott was knowledgeable and efficient, expertly guiding us through the process. He took the time to explain every step clearly and made sure we felt informed and confident in our decisions. Beyond his professionalism and attention to detail, Scott was also incredibly kind and personable, which made working with him a genuinely positive experience. His responsiveness and approachable demeanor helped put us at ease throughout. I would highly recommend Scott to anyone in need of legal services.
Scott and his office were so helpful, thorough and professional during a very adversarial divorce. He offers good solid advice. He does not pursue options which will more than likely not yield a good result ( unless the client insists). He strives to give his clients the best results for their money. He's personable but professional. He answers inquiries quickly and clearly. Highly recommend!
Mr. Hamblin is one of the best attorneys we have ever had the privilege to use. He is courteous and to the point. I would recommend him to anyone and we will continue to use his services.
Scott Hamblin is simply put - the best! Scott deserves 10 stars! He has all the qualities a person could ask for with legal representation and more. I even had a lawyer from another county tell me, Mr. Hamblin is an excellent lawyer. That remark alone told me how respected he is, by his peers. He's highly professional, extremely knowledgeable, respectful and courteous, does his due diligence to understand and know his case, has excellent communication skills with his staff and client. His performance in the court room arena was exciting to watch. Dynamic! I knew when I walked into…
Scott Hamblin is the best lawyer that I have ever met. He really cares about his clients and does not sugar coat anything. He works very hard to help his clients, and knows the law very well, and he will work with you on your tab if he can. The staff there is very helpful too. I would recommend Scott and that law firm to anyone that needs a lawyer. They are the best. And you get what you pay for, so give them a call.
I am very pleased with Mr. Hamblin. I needed an attorney for my custody case and I did not know who to use. I found Mr. Hamblin on the internet. All the reviews I read and now my experiences with him and his team are spot on. I was being denied reasonable time with my daughter. Her mother attempted to continue to limit my time but Mr. Hamblin's hard work and dedication to my case resulted in equal custody of my daughter. I highly recommend Mr. Hamblin!
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
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