Missouri Uncontested Divorce Timeline

How long does an uncontested divorce take?

Most of my cases are finalized in 45 to 60 days, give or take, measured from the day we start to the day the Judge signs the Judgment. The floor is set by law: Missouri has a mandatory 30-day waiting period, so no divorce - mine or anyone else's - is finalized in less than 30 days from filing. The rest of the timeline depends on how quickly you and your spouse move through the paperwork, and, at the very end, on the Judge's schedule. Here's how it typically plays out, day by day.

Day 1: We get started

You reach out - email, phone, text, or the online submission - and provide the information I need about you, your spouse, your property, and, if applicable, your children. If your questions are answered and you're ready to proceed, we're off and running.

Days 2-3: Rough drafts arrive

I prepare the rough drafts of all of your uncontested divorce paperwork - the Petition for Dissolution, the Settlement Agreement, the Parenting Plan and Form 14 if there are children, and the rest - and get them to you for review, typically within two to three days of receiving your information.

Days 3-14: Review, revisions, and signatures

You and your spouse review the drafts. Anything that needs changing gets changed - revisions are turned around within 24 hours, and there's no charge for them, so don't be shy. Once everything reads exactly right, both parties sign, with the signatures notarized where required. This stretch is the one part of the timeline that's genuinely in your hands: some couples review, revise, and sign within a couple days, while some take a few weeks. Neither approach is wrong, but if speed matters to you, this is where speed is made.

Day 15 or so: The case is filed

With everything signed, I file the case with the court, along with the $150 filing fee. At this point the case is out of your hands, and into mine - couldn't be easier. The mandatory 30-day waiting period starts ticking.

Days 15-45: The waiting period runs

Now you wait, but just for a little bit. Nothing is required of you or your spouse during this stretch - no hearings, no check-ins, no homework. I monitor the case and handle anything the court needs.

Day 45 or so: The Judge reviews and signs

Once the waiting period has run, the paperwork lands on the Judge's desk for review and, assuming everything is in order (it will be), the Judgment of Dissolution is entered. This last step is the part I can't put a firm date on - once your paperwork is on the Judge's desk, it's up to the Judge how long it takes. Judges go out of town, they conduct trials, and are generally just busy. Most sign within a week or two of the waiting period expiring, which is how a 30-day minimum becomes a 45-to-60-day reality.

To recap:

• Day 1 - You provide your information and we get started.
• Days 2-3 - Rough drafts of all paperwork delivered for review.
• Days 3-14 - Review, free revisions (24-hour turnaround), and signatures.
• Day 15 or so - Case filed; $150 filing fee paid; 30-day waiting period begins.
• Days 15-45 - Waiting period runs; nothing required of you.
• Day 45 or so - Judge reviews and enters the Judgment of Dissolution.

Prefer this in picture form? Head on over to the Missouri Uncontested Divorce Timeline [infographic], for people who'd rather look at boxes than read paragraphs.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to contact me for more information.