Missouri follows the precept of equitable distribution. Which means in a divorce, marital property is split pretty, not essentially equally. Marital property sometimes contains property and money owed acquired throughout the marriage, whereas separate property typically refers to property owned earlier than the wedding, or acquired throughout the marriage as a present or inheritance. Figuring out what constitutes marital versus separate property will be complicated, usually requiring cautious consideration of the circumstances surrounding acquisition and any commingling of property.
The equitable distribution precept goals for a simply and truthful end result based mostly on the contributions of every partner to the wedding, each monetary and non-financial. Components thought of would possibly embody the size of the wedding, every partner’s financial circumstances, and the contributions every made to the acquisition of marital property. Understanding this authorized framework is essential for people getting into or dissolving a wedding in Missouri, because it considerably impacts the division of property and money owed. Traditionally, many states operated underneath common-law property guidelines, which frequently favored males. The shift in direction of equitable distribution goals to supply a extra balanced and truthful method to property division upon divorce.