Best Lawyers in Missouri, United States for Family Law
Practice Area Overview
Family law touches nearly every stage of life, from the joy of adoption to the challenges of divorce and custody disputes. In Missouri, these matters are shaped by state statutes, court rules and local practices that can differ from county to county.
A Missouri family law attorney helps clients navigate these transitions while protecting their rights and interests. Best Lawyers connects you with peer-reviewed attorneys recognized by other lawyers for their skill, professionalism and integrity—an invaluable starting point when facing complex family legal matters.
Core Practice Areas in Missouri Family Law
Family lawyers in Missouri handle a broad range of legal needs. While each case is unique, most fall into one of several core practice areas.
Divorce in Missouri
Missouri is a no-fault state. This means one spouse alleges the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault grounds—such as adultery or abandonment—can still be relevant, especially when they may affect custody or property division.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Custody disputes are among the most sensitive matters in family law. Missouri recognizes two types of custody: legal custody, which refers to decision-making authority for the child’s upbringing and physical custody, which determines where the child lives. Custody can be joint or sole in either category. A custody lawyer in Missouri can help parents craft parenting plans that address schedules, holidays and decision-making responsibilities. In all cases, the court’s guiding principle is the best interest of the child.
Child Support and Spousal Maintenance
Child support in Missouri is calculated under statewide guidelines that consider each parent’s income, the number of overnight visits and specific child-related expenses like health insurance or daycare. While the formula provides a baseline, judges can adjust amounts based on unique circumstances. Spousal maintenance, often called alimony, is not automatic. Courts award it based on factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity and the standard of living during the marriage.
Property Division
Missouri follows an equitable distribution model, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Marital property generally includes assets acquired during the marriage, while separate property—such as inheritances or assets owned before marriage—remains with the original owner. However, the line between marital and separate property can blur, especially if assets are commingled. A property division attorney in Missouri helps clients identify, value and divide assets, from real estate to retirement accounts, in accordance with state law.
Adoption and Guardianship
Adoption transforms lives, but it also involves strict legal procedures to protect the rights of all parties. Missouri offers several types of adoption, including agency, private, stepparent and relative adoptions. Each has specific requirements, such as home studies and background checks. Guardianship, on the other hand, grants a non-parent legal authority to care for a child or an incapacitated adult.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Couples increasingly use prenuptial agreements to clarify property rights before marriage. Missouri law requires these agreements to be in writing, signed voluntarily and based on full financial disclosure. Postnuptial agreements, signed after marriage, can serve similar purposes.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Missouri courts can issue orders of protection to shield individuals from abuse, stalking or harassment. These orders may restrict contact, grant temporary custody or remove the accused from a shared home.
Collaborative Divorce and Mediation
Alternative dispute resolution plays a growing role in Missouri family law. A collaborative divorce attorney in Missouri helps clients resolve issues privately through negotiation rather than litigation. Mediation, while not binding unless an agreement is reached, can be an effective tool to maintain control over the outcome and reduce the emotional toll.
Common Family Law Questions in Missouri
Property division is governed by equitable distribution. Courts aim for fairness, not a strict 50/50 split. Factors include each spouse’s economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage and custodial arrangements for children.
Child support follows the Missouri guidelines, which calculate support based on income, overnight visits and specific expenses. Judges may deviate from the guideline amount if they find it unjust or inappropriate.
Legal custody vs. physical custody is an important distinction. Legal custody involves major decisions about the child’s education, health care and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines the child’s living arrangements.
No-fault divorce is available in Missouri and is the most common path. While it is possible to proceed without an attorney, even amicable divorces can involve complex issues like property division and parenting plans. Having a Missouri divorce attorney can prevent costly mistakes.
Mediation and collaborative divorce can be worth considering. They offer greater privacy, flexibility and often lower costs than litigation. They also allow parties to craft solutions tailored to their family’s needs rather than leaving decisions to a judge.
Why Missouri-Specific Knowledge Matters
Family law may be statewide in scope, but its application can vary by county. A local attorney understands not just the statutes but also the procedural nuances and preferences of the judges in their jurisdiction.
For example, Jackson County courts in Kansas City may handle docket scheduling differently than St. Louis County courts. Greene County in Springfield and Boone County in Columbia each have their own filing procedures and local court rules.
A Missouri family law attorney who practices regularly in these venues knows how to navigate the local system efficiently. They are familiar with the clerks, mediators and evaluators who play key roles in family cases. That insight can streamline the process and reduce unnecessary delays, especially in high-stakes matters like custody disputes or urgent protective orders.
How to Use This Directory to Find the Right Lawyer
The Best Lawyers directory allows you to search for family lawyers in Missouri by city, firm or name. To get started:
- Browse by location. Narrow your search to cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield or Columbia to find attorneys near you.
- Review credentials. Each attorney listed has been recognized by their peers for excellence in family law.
- Match practice focus to your needs. Whether you need a custody lawyer in Missouri, a property division attorney or an adoption lawyer, you can filter results to find the right fit.
- Contact for consultations. Reach out to attorneys whose background aligns with your case type and jurisdiction.
The Value of Peer Recognition
Choosing a family law attorney is a deeply personal decision, often made during stressful times. Peer recognition signals that other lawyers—often even opposing counsel—respect an attorney’s skill and ethics. That endorsement can give you confidence that you are working with someone who is not only knowledgeable but also trusted in the legal community.
Family law matters can shape your future and your family’s well-being for years to come. When the stakes are high, you need a Missouri family law attorney who combines legal skill with an understanding of local courts and procedures.
Use the Best Lawyers directory to connect with peer-recognized attorneys in Missouri who can guide you through divorce, custody, support, adoption and more. Start your search today and take the first step toward resolving your family law matter with confidence.
Family Law Legal Guide 2025
View Legal GuideSelect a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Amy Bender-Levy is a member of the Firm’s family law department and is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois as well as the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Amy’s practice focuses on divorce, custody, modification, orders of protection, third-party custody, guardianship of adults and minors, and grandparents’ rights. Amy serves as a Guardian ad Litem representing the best interests of children in those cases in which she is appointed by the cou...
In her over 30 years of practice, Alisse Camazine has become one of the leading family law practitioners in the St. Louis area, focusing on child custody and complex divorce and property litigation. She has been listed in Naifeh and Smith’s, The Best Lawyers in America, for Family Law, since 1993. She became a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 1988 and has been certified as an arbitrator by the Academy. She received the Women’s Justice Award for Trial Practi...
Mat Eilerts has gained a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable Family Law attorney in Missouri and Illinois. Having specialized in Family Law for almost 20 years, Mat has handled thousands of domestic relations cases in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, including high conflict and complex dissolution of marriage and custody matters. He possesses a unique style in the area of Family Law due to his experience as not only a successful litigator, but as a trained and experienced mediator and g...
Richard J. Eisen has tried and settled numerous complex family law cases. He frequently lectures and publishes articles in the area of family law. He is a certified divorce mediator and has been appointed by the Court as a Guardian ad Litem for children in custody disputes. He concentrates his practice in the area of family/domestic law, including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, maintenance, child support, child custody, modification matters, enforcement, and pre/post-nu...
John R. Fenley was named a partner in 2019. He practices in the areas of family law and criminal defense. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication and political science from DePauw University and his law degree from Saint Louis University. While in law school, Mr. Fenley served as a staff member and editor for the Saint Louis University Law Journal. He also interned with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office before joining Reinker, Hamilton & Piper, LLC....
In his over 30 years of practice, Alan Freed has established himself as one of Missouri's pre-eminent practitioners of mediation and collaborative divorce , and as a leading appellate attorney. Mr. Freed was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2009 and is listed in Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers. Best Lawyers named him Attorney of the Year for Collaborative Law: Family Law in St. Louis in 2013 and for Family Law Mediation for 2015. A mediator since 1985, Mr. Free...
Robert N. Hamilton practices primarily in the area of family law. He also handles criminal cases, estate planning and civil litigation. He received a communications degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law.Mr. Hamilton has extensive trial experience in all areas of family law. His trial experience in family law ranges from simple non-contested divorces to complex custody issues involving parents and children.Judges...
Amy Hoch Hogenson is a member of the Firm’s family law department and is certified to practice law in the State of Missouri and Illinois. Her areas of practice include complicated divorce (involving high conflict custody, and business valuation), modification and enforcement (contempt) of child custody orders, paternity cases, grandparents’ rights, and adoptions. A graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, Ms. Hoch Hogenson served as Managing Editor of the St. Louis Universi...
Alexandra Kohlfeld is a family law attorney with Page Law and handles domestic relation cases and other family law matters. Alexandra has been practicing family law her entire career. The majority of her practice is within St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis and St. Charles County. She also handles cases throughout Missouri, including Lincoln, Jefferson, and Franklin counties. Alexandra is exceptional in the following practice areas: Divorces – Contested and Uncontested Paternity &n...
Jonathan Marks , Family Law Attorney in the St. Louis area, received his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Jonathan is admitted to practice in the State of Missouri, the State of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Central Distr...
Cary J. Mogerman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and Past President of the national organization (2022). He was honored to be recognized as the AAML "Fellow of the Year" for 2018-19. He is one of the 100 Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL). He has been listed in "Best Lawyers" since 1999, and named its "Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, St. Louis" three times: 2024, 2019, and 2009. He is also a Fellow of the International Academy ...
Lisa G. Moore was working full time in business management while she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Columbia College in 1994. When she entered law school in 1995, she began her legal career as a law clerk with Paule, Camazine and Blumenthal, P.C. and in 1998 she received her law degree from St. Louis University School of Law. Ms. Moore’s natural leadership skills are evident in both her legal career and business career prior to law school. Listed as a Missouri and...
Tonya D. Page, a partner at St. Louis-based Page Law, practices exclusively in the area of Missouri family law and domestic relations. Page handles a wide range of Missouri family law matters, including: Divorces – complex, contested and uncontested Division of marital property in high-net-worth divorce cases Child custody – joint, temporary or full legal child custody motions and motions to modify Child support – child support payments, calculations and motions to modify Al...
Jennifer R. Piper attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a B.A. in political science, she then went on to receive her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. As an attorney, Jennifer has been distinguished by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for 2009; a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer for 2010-2015 by Missouri Super Lawyers; she has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2025 in the pr...
Elaine Pudlowski joined the office of Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C., in 1997. Elaine practices extensively in the field of domestic relations where she represents both men and women in matters pertaining to divorce, paternity, child custody, child support and spousal support. Elaine also works in the juvenile court handling adoptions, detentions and care and protection matters as well as in the probate court assisting families with legal guardianships and estates. In addi...
Mr. Woods' civil litigation and arbitration practice includes trials and appeals in federal and state court, with an emphasis on business litigation, family law and real estate. His business litigation experience includes the representation of a variety of clients (individuals and companies) and involving such diverse subjects as civil RICO, fraud, shareholder rights, Merchandise Act claims, breach of contract, personal injury, and terms and conditions of employment. His family law practice r...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.