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.
I would highly recommend attorney Scott Hamblin. Mr. Hamblin was very easy to work with, explaining all my options as the case progressed. He took into consideration my priorities, what was most important to me, and skillfully negotiated them into an ideal settlement agreement. And his legal assistant, Madasyn, is such a delight to interact with.
Scott was honest, he was straightforward, and the best of all he was good at what he does. He's very knowledgeable and practices his craft well. I had a 10/10 experience with Scott and will trust no other attorney to handle my case.
Scott Hamblin is a great attorney. Between Scott and his legal assistant Madasyn, I felt like all my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. Scott is very knowledgeable and was very well prepared for trial. I would recommend Scott to anyone needing an attorney.
Can't say enough good things about Mr. Hamblin and his team. They're responsive, treat your case like it's their own, and are personable as can be. Court can be daunting, but they are there to help you through every step of the tough process. Madasyn is part of this team and deserves to be recognized too, as she was friendly and encouraging from beginning to end. They handle it all with ease and you won't regret coming to them for help and advice along your journey.
10/10 recommend Mr. Scott Hamblin. Mr. Hamblin and his legal assistant Madasyn have been wonderful throughout my whole case and very prompt, and helpful the whole time. He was very thorough and left nothing missed during my whole case. Questions were answered quickly throughout the process whether through email, phone or in person. As well as the whole process was explained step by step. I highly recommend Mr Hamblin for any family law matters! I couldn’t of asked for better representation for my case.
I came across Scott Hamblin on the internet and read his bio and was very impressed. I have not been disappointed with his knowledge and understanding. If you are in need of a great lawyer, this is the call to make. You will not regret hiring him. Thank you, Scott.
Scott recently provided outstanding representation for my divorce. He was well-prepared throughout the course of the litigation and trial, resulting in a very favorable outcome for me. Scott is a very bright attorney who takes pride in his work, and it shows. He is truly in a league of his own.
Scott is a phenomenal attorney, no sugar-coating straightforward and to the point. As an older man I found myself in a custody case, and had little hope of any outcomes in my favor. This guy knows his law and his business, and is about it. His personality is soothing and his office is always on point. To say I’m ecstatic with his ability is an understatement.
Scott is the best attorney, hands down! My husband had a fairly difficult case, he had little hope that he’d be able to receive anything he was asking for and Scott helped him achieve everything, very quickly. He’s very professional, compassionate and understanding and works hard to help you achieve the best possible outcome. We are very thankful.
Scott came highly recommended by an attorney friend of mine after I received an unfavorable outcome working with a different lawyer in the area. Scott was smart, pleasant to work with, and achieved the best possible outcome for me. I only wish I would have used him sooner.
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
NUVEW | Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | Privacy Policy
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
