10 Missouri Dissolution of Marriage Mistakes to Avoid (2026)

Missouri has several specific requirements — Form 14 mandatory for child support, a Parenting Plan required with children, marital vs. non-marital property distinctions — that create predictable mistakes.

Mistake #1 — Filing Without a Completed Form 14 (Cases With Children)

The court will not accept a child support order without a properly completed Form 14. Missing, incomplete, or incorrectly completed Form 14s are one of the most common reasons Missouri dissolution filings are rejected or delayed.

Fix: Download Form 14 from courts.mo.gov and complete it carefully before filing. Use both parties' current gross monthly income figures. Confirm the parenting time overnights match the Parenting Plan.

Mistake #2 — Failing to Include a Parenting Plan

Some filers address custody generally in the Marital Settlement Agreement without attaching a separate Parenting Plan. Missouri courts require a Parenting Plan addressing specific schedule details.

Fix: Use the Parenting Plan template at courts.mo.gov. Address every category — school year, summer, holidays, vacation, communication, transportation, relocation.

Mistake #3 — Commingling Non-Marital Assets

Using inherited or pre-marital funds for household expenses, mortgage payments, or home improvements without documentation converts those funds to marital property. After dissolution, you cannot reclaim them as non-marital.

Fix: Keep non-marital assets segregated in dedicated accounts. Never commingle. If you did commingle, document the source of funds thoroughly for the tracing analysis.

Mistake #4 — Not Addressing the Marital Home in the MSA

The Decree of Dissolution alone does not transfer title to real estate. If the MSA doesn't clearly specify who gets the home, by when they refinance, and what happens if they don't — you will have post-dissolution enforcement problems.

Fix: Address every real estate issue specifically in the MSA: agreed value, equity split, refinancing deadline, fallback, who pays carrying costs, deed recording requirement.

Mistake #5 — Not Recording the Deed at the Recorder of Deeds

Title transfer requires a Quitclaim Deed recorded at the county Recorder of Deeds. The MSA alone does not transfer title. Failure to record leaves the leaving spouse on title — causing liability exposure and problems with future sales.

Fix: After refinancing is complete, prepare and execute a Quitclaim Deed. Record at the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located.

Mistake #6 — Leaving Maintenance Silent in the MSA

An MSA that neither awards nor waives maintenance creates ambiguity. In Missouri, this could allow a post-judgment motion for maintenance years later.

Fix: Either award maintenance with specific amount, duration, and termination events — or include a clear maintenance waiver: "Each party waives any claim for maintenance, now and in the future."

Mistake #7 — Failing to Get a QDRO After the Decree

The Decree awards a share of a retirement account. The QDRO actually effectuates the transfer. Without a QDRO, the plan administrator will not divide the account.

Fix: After the Decree is entered, engage a QDRO specialist or attorney. Missouri pension plans (e.g., PEERS — Public Education Employee Retirement System) have specific QDRO requirements.

Mistake #8 — Agreeing to a Child Support Deviation Without Written Findings

Parties agree to a child support amount different from the Form 14 calculation but don't document why. Missouri courts require written findings for any deviation.

Fix: Include in the MSA: "[The Form 14 amount is $X per month.] The parties agree that $Y per month is just because [specific reason — e.g., Petitioner provides health insurance and employer contributes $200/month, the parties agree to offset this against the Form 14 calculation]."

Mistake #9 — Missing the Relocation Notice Requirement

Missouri requires 60 days' advance written notice before a primary physical custody parent relocates with the children. Failing to include this in the Parenting Plan, or failing to follow it post-dissolution, leads to contempt and custody modification proceedings.

Fix: Include Missouri's 60-day relocation notice requirement explicitly in the Parenting Plan.

Mistake #10 — Not Updating Beneficiary Designations After the Decree

Missouri dissolution does not automatically remove an ex-spouse as beneficiary on federal retirement plans. An ex-spouse can remain the named beneficiary.

Fix: Immediately after the Decree, update beneficiary designations on 401k, IRA, pension, and life insurance.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Form 14 mandatory | Parenting Plan required | courts.mo.gov

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.