If you are considering divorce, you are not taking the decision lightly. Once you have determined it is the right option for you, there will be a long and emotional road ahead. The divorce process is a legal one and it essentially dissolves the marriage contract between the two parties. Even those getting a simple uncontested divorce will have to become involved in a legal process to some degree. When a divorce involves issues or disputes surrounding alimony, child custody, or child support, the matter may have to go to court.
Many people going through a divorce have never had to deal with the legal system before. A divorce lawyer near you can help you through the process, and make sure you are prepared every step of the way.
Most of the states throughout the country follow either fault or no-fault divorce laws. In Missouri, couples can choose between the two. In a no-fault divorce, the filing spouse only needs to state that the marriage has broken down and that there is no chance that the spouses can reconcile. The filing spouse does not have to accuse their spouse of wrongdoing, nor do they have to prove any allegations.
A fault divorce, on the other hand, does involve allegations of marital wrongdoing. The spouse filing can allege that their partner was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, such as if they had an affair. The spouse making the accusations must also prove them. There are certain grounds that can form the basis of a divorce case in Missouri. These are as follows:
Regardless of whether or not a person accuses their spouse of marital wrongdoing, couples must wait at least 30 days before their case can be finalized. The clock on the waiting period starts ticking the day divorce papers are filed with the court.
Many people put off the divorce process because they envision a costly and lengthy courtroom battle. Fortunately, not all divorce cases require this. Couples can agree to all terms of the divorce and when they do, they can get an uncontested divorce. This is the quickest and most affordable way to get a divorce.
Couples who cannot agree to just one term of the divorce must obtain a contested divorce. Even when an agreement is not reached, it does not mean the couple has to let a judge make all the decisions in their case. Collaborative law and mediation are two options that allow couples to resolve their disputes without the need for litigation. If these methods are unsuccessful, a divorce trial may be necessary, which can become very costly and will take much longer.
Scott A. Hamblin is a divorce lawyer near you that can help you through the legal process and ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us today or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more.
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 cannot say enough good things about Scott Hamblin and his team. From the beginning, Scott was extremely organized, thorough, and realistic. He was always honest with me about my options and what to expect, and he never made promises he couldn't guarantee. At the same time, he was confident, strategic, and fully prepared. Going…
If you are looking for an attorney who always strives to win, Scott is your number one choice. He is here for you and is there to win the case. I believe he has the best of intentions to do the job he is hired for every time. Best of all, he takes pride in…
Going to court is, without a doubt, the scariest and my stressful thing that I have ever done. All the legalities and unknowns are all you can think about, and having a good attorney to ease some of those worries is essential. From the first day we met Mr. Hamblin, he has been kind, understanding,…
This is where I found myself about a year ago – reading Scott Hamblin’s Google reviews and wondering who I should turn to for help. My ex-wife (a former family law attorney) was trying to relocate our two children out of state. I’m not an attorney. I didn’t yet live in Cole County. I read…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…

For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.