St. Charles Divorce Lawyer Blog
With the prevalence of private grade schools and high schools in the St. Louis area, family law attorneys and judges are often faced with the question of how to pay for the costs associated with these schools when one or both parents decide to send their child to private school. In today’s blog we cover how this can impact a parent’s child support obligation.
If you assumed that St. Louis has a larger than average percentage of students attending private grade schools and high schools as compared to other large metropolitan areas, you would be correct. In a recent study by the real estate company Trulia, of the largest 100 metropolitan areas in the United States, St. Louis ranked 10th overall in a measurement of the largest percentage of students enrolled in private school.
Whether it be in a divorce situation or in a case where the mother and father were never married, the Missouri family court is often faced with a decision as to whether to assign these costs to either parent.
In our 
In Missouri the general concepts involved in an award of sole legal custody or joint legal custody can be simply explained. However, prior to accepting a specific legal custody arrangement, Missouri parents should be aware that the specific language contained in their court order regarding legal custody can have a significant impact on both their interactions with their child’s other parent and with those involved in their child’s medical care, education and extracurricular activities.
In 2013 we covered many issues relating to child custody in our blogs including
Resolution is reached in the custody battle over the infant daughter of former Kansas City Chief linebacker; Recent ruling by the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals strengthens the enforceability of prenuptial agreements in Missouri and more.
In some Missouri family court cases, it is necessary for the Court to appoint a guardian ad litem. A guardian ad litem (“GAL”) is usually an attorney and can be appointed in divorce, paternity and custody modification cases to represent the best interests of the children involved in the domestic matter. A GAL must be appointed in child order of protection cases, or in any case where abuse or neglect is alleged by either parent, but can also be requested by either party to assist the furthering of the children’s best interest in the family court case. The best interests of the children are determined by 
One of the most difficult decisions a trial judge can be faced with is deciding a custody arrangement that is best for a child. A good trial judge will closely scrutinize the evidence and evaluate each relevant factor in making her decision. In Missouri, those factors the Judge must consider are outlined in our Missouri statutes.
What happens when you or your ex-spouse want to relocate with your children? This is a common issue that family law practitioners are faced with on a regular basis. It is also one of the most heavily litigated areas of family law in Missouri.