Missouri Child Custody
Missouri child custody laws are found in the Missouri Revised Statutes in Section 452. This information is important for separating or divorced parents in Missouri–especially as they create their Missouri custody agreement. Here is an overview of some of the statutes that impact how the Missouri parenting plan should be made.
The child should have frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with both parents. Section 452 of the statutes makes it clear that the state considers it in the best interest of the child to see both parents frequently. This enables the father and mother to have a meaningful relationship with the child–which is what children need. Thus, a Missouri custody schedule must give adequate time to both parents in order to be accepted in court. This section also states that the parent who encourages the child to have this contact with the other parent is more likely to be granted custody of the child.
The relationship of the child with parents, siblings, and other significant persons. The state deems it important that the child should be able to continue to have and develop relationships with other family members after the parents separate. This means that a Missouri visitation schedule should take other family members into account for visiting time. The child should have time with siblings and possibly grandparents.
The adjustment of the child to the child’s home, school, and community. This is an important factor that the court considers that affects the best interest of the child. Children do best when they have stability in their environment. It isn’t fair for the parents to expect the child to continually adjust to new situations. Every care should be taken that the child stays in the same school and is still allowed to participate in the community.
