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 in the course of the marriage, whereas separate property usually refers to property owned earlier than the wedding, or obtained in the course of the marriage as a present or inheritance. Figuring out what constitutes marital versus separate property might be complicated, typically requiring cautious consideration of the circumstances surrounding acquisition and any commingling of property.
The equitable distribution precept goals for a simply and honest consequence based mostly on the contributions of every partner to the wedding, each monetary and non-financial. Components thought of may embrace 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 beneath common-law property guidelines, which frequently favored males. The shift in the direction of equitable distribution goals to offer a extra balanced and honest method to property division upon divorce.