Family Law Attorney in Union, MO
People usually call about family law after something has already changed. A spouse filed for divorce. A custody schedule stopped working. A job loss made child support impossible to keep up with. Schmanke Law Firm handles divorce, custody, child support, and modifications of existing orders for families in Union and the surrounding area, whether the case settles or ends up in front of a judge.
Family Law Problems We Help With
Divorce. Custody and parenting time. Child support. And what happens when an order from years ago doesn't fit your life anymore. These cases overlap more than people expect. A divorce almost always involves custody and support if there are kids, and a support order usually needs revisiting once custody changes. Paul handles all of it, from the first filing through whatever comes after.
Divorce
Some divorces are agreements waiting to be put on paper. Both spouses know how they want to split things, and the case moves through the court process without much conflict. Others are fights over almost everything: the house, retirement accounts, who takes on which debt, what happens with the kids.
Missouri calls this contested and uncontested divorce, and which one you're in changes a lot about what the next several months look like. If you and your spouse can agree on property, debt, support, and custody, the case is simpler. If you can't agree, the court decides those things for you, which takes longer and usually costs more.
Paul works with people at both ends of that spectrum, negotiating where there's room to negotiate and preparing to go in front of a judge where there isn't. If you were just served with divorce papers and don't know what your options are, that's a normal place to start a conversation.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Most custody disputes come down to a few practical questions. Where does the child live day to day? Who makes decisions about school and medical care? What happens on holidays, and what happens when one parent wants something the other doesn't agree with?
Missouri splits custody into two pieces. Legal custody is about decision-making authority, things like schooling and healthcare. Physical custody is about where the child actually lives and how time is split between parents. Most families end up with some version of both, shared and laid out in a parenting plan that spells out the schedule so there's less to argue about later.
If you and the other parent can work out a plan together, that's usually the faster and less expensive path. If you can't, Paul prepares custody cases to go in front of a judge when that's what it takes.
Child Support
Missouri uses a formula, known as Form 14, to calculate child support. Both parents' income factors into the number, along with the parenting time schedule and a few other variables.
Getting the numbers right matters. If your income comes from self-employment or commissions rather than a regular paycheck, that can complicate how it's calculated, and it's worth having someone look at it closely rather than accepting a number that isn't accurate. The same goes if your income or the other parent's income has changed since the last order was entered. Paul helps clients on either side of a support case, whether that means establishing support for the first time or reviewing a number that doesn't reflect the current situation.
When an Existing Order No Longer Fits
A custody schedule or support amount that worked five years ago doesn't always hold up. Kids get older and their schedules change. A parent's job changes, or they move. Sometimes an order just stops getting followed, and you're left wondering what your options actually are.
Missouri allows both custody and support orders to be modified after the fact. Common reasons clients come back to Paul include a parent relocating, a significant change in income, a kid's needs changing as they get older, or an ex who's stopped honoring the existing agreement.
Establishing Paternity and Parental Rights
When a child's father is not listed on the birth certificate or legal parentage has not otherwise been established, a court proceeding may be needed to formally establish paternity. Establishing paternity can affect custody, parenting time, child support, and other parental rights and responsibilities. Schmanke Law Firm helps parents understand the process and what establishing legal parentage means for their family.
Working With Schmanke Law Firm
Paul handles family law matters out of the firm's main office in Union, Missouri. The firm also has an office in Owensville that operates by appointment, for clients who find that more convenient.
If you're not sure whether your situation needs a lawyer or just needs a conversation, that's a reasonable thing to bring to a consultation. You don't need to have it all figured out before you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an attorney for a divorce?
Not always, but it depends on how much you and your spouse agree on. If there's a house, retirement accounts, or custody to work out and you don't see eye to eye, having someone represent your interests usually matters more, not less.
What's the difference between legal and physical custody?
Legal custody is about who has the authority to make decisions on things like school and medical care. Physical custody is about where the child lives and how time is divided between parents. A parenting plan usually addresses both.
How is child support calculated in Missouri?
Missouri uses a formula called Form 14 that factors in both parents' income and the parenting time schedule. The result isn't always simple, especially with self-employment or variable income.
Can a custody or child support order be changed later?
Yes, Missouri allows both to be modified when circumstances have changed enough to justify it. What counts as enough of a change depends on your situation.
What should I do if the other parent isn't following our custody order?
Talk to an attorney before deciding how to respond. Depending on the situation, that might mean asking the court to enforce the existing order or asking for a modification if things have genuinely changed.
How long does a divorce take?
It depends heavily on whether it's contested. An uncontested divorce with an agreement already in place moves faster than one where the major issues are still being fought over. Anyone giving you an exact timeline before reviewing your situation is guessing.
Ready to Talk?
If you're dealing with a divorce, a custody dispute, a support question, or an order that isn't working anymore, contact Schmanke Law Firm in Union to set up a time to talk with Paul.