Missouri Dissolution of Marriage Without Children (2026)

Missouri dissolution without children can be finalized quickly — as few as 6–10 weeks from filing in an agreed, uncomplicated case. No Form 14 or Parenting Plan is needed.

Overview

What the Marital Settlement Agreement Must Cover (No Children)

All Marital Real Property

• Identify as marital (acquired during marriage) vs. non-marital (pre-marital, inherited, gift)
• For marital real estate: agreed value, equity split, who keeps or sale terms
• Refinancing deadline; fallback to forced sale
• Deed recording at county Recorder of Deeds after refinancing

Non-Marital Real Property

• Identify the pre-marital or inherited property
• Confirm stays with original owner
• Confirm the other spouse has no claim; include waiver language
• If a mortgage exists: confirm refinancing to remove non-owner spouse

All Marital Accounts

• Bank accounts opened or funded during the marriage → marital
• Investment accounts → identify when funded
• Retirement accounts → marital portion is what was contributed/earned during the marriage
  • Specify QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer for IRAs
  • Specify the marital portion (e.g., "50% of the balance attributable to the period [marriage date] to [dissolution date]")

Vehicles

• Vehicles purchased during marriage → marital → assign to one spouse; refinance out of joint loan
• Pre-marital vehicles → non-marital → generally excluded (document this)

Debts

• Marital debts (incurred during marriage): assign; include indemnification
• Pre-marital debts: confirm responsibility remains with original debtor

Maintenance

Missouri maintenance can be included even in a no-children dissolution if either spouse has a qualifying need. Options:

1. Maintenance order: amount, duration, termination events (death, remarriage, cohabitation)
2. Maintenance waiver: "Each party waives any claim for maintenance, now and in the future."

Include one or the other — do not leave it silent.

Timeline (No Children)

Post-Dissolution Steps

• Deed: Quitclaim Deed → Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located
• Vehicles: Missouri DOR title transfer form
• Retirement: QDRO for employer plans after Decree is entered
• Beneficiaries: Update 401k, IRA, life insurance designations
• Name change: Social Security Administration → Missouri DOR → bank accounts

Last reviewed: March 2026 | forms: courts.mo.gov | 30-day wait from filing | Marital property only — non-marital property excluded from division

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