The Missouribar – 2020 Lunch Break Legal Basics: Modifying Child Custody/Support Orders

An overview of how custody and support are decided in Missouri, the legal burdens associated with modifications of custody and support, and hot topics / current events in this area will be discussed.

The legal burden to modify custody judgments was very unclear and confusing pre Morgan v. Morgan, 497 S.W.3d 359 (Mo. App. ED 2016).  However, the appellate court provided significant clarity on the issue in this 2016 landmark case, which has been upheld and cited since. Additionally, a few more recent topics will be addressed specific to custody modifications, such as how the courts have interpreted the Shared Parenting Bill and how COVID-19 is affecting custody judgments.

Modification of child support will also be covered, both when the Form 14 and Rule 88.01 are found to be just and appropriate as well as unjust and inappropriate. The presentation will address the confusion caused by the Abernathy case, as well as distinguishing cases that followed and made modifications when the Form 14 was found to be unjust and inappropriate a possibility once again.

Speaker: Jamie L. Emahiser, Family Law Partners, Chesterfield
 

Self-study does not qualify for Kansas credit.

Note: This material qualifies for self-study credit only. Pursuant to Regulation 15.04.5, a lawyer may receive up to six hours of self-study credit in a reporting year. Self-study programs do not qualify for ethics, elimination of bias or Kansas credit.