Dissolution
FAQs
- Yes, but there are important things you must know. The Clerk’s office staff cannot give legal advice. This means we cannot answer questions in regards to the paperwork you are preparing or missing. Further, per Rule 68.5 PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL – LITIGANT AWARENESS PROGRAM: Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 88.90, every party not represented by counsel who participates in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, parentage or the modification of a judgment in any such proceeding shall use the pleading forms found at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov, and shall complete the litigant awareness program designed by the Supreme Court also found at the above listed website. The litigant shall complete this program and shall certify to the Court, in writing, that he/she has completed this program.If you are unsure of the requirement to proceed, we strongly urge you to seek the advice of an attorney. You may consider contacting the Missouri Bar Association for an attorney referral at 573-636-3635 or visit their website at www.mobar.org.
- The fee for filing a Dissolution of Marriage is $102.00. This does not include service fees. The fee for service must be obtained by calling the Sheriff’s Office of the county in which service needs to be made.The handbook, In Your Child's Best Interest, provides a brief summary of definitions and explanations of terms. Although the handbook list “…the Circuit Clerk’s Office in your local courthouse…” as a resource for assistance, we are prohibited by law from assisting in certain areas previously described.
- Answer – A written response to a petition.
Dissolution (Divorce) – The process by which a marriage is ended.
Entry of Appearance – A Notice files with a court stating that an individual or his/her attorney will appear at a court proceeding.
Judgment of Dissolution – A court order containing the terms under which a marriage is ended.
Personal Service – Delivery of a summons by a sheriff or private process server to the person against whom a petition or motion has been filed.
Petition – A written request to a court for action on a certain matter.
Petitioner – The person who files a petition with the Court.
Pro Se – A person who represents him/herself in a court proceeding without the help of a lawyer.
Respondent – The person who files an answer to a petition.
Summons – Notifies the person against who a petition or motion has been filed of the date to appear in Court to file an answer.
- You should contact your attorney or go to Case.net online at www.courts.mo.gov/case.net.
- Copies of a divorce decree may be obtained by submitting a request to the Circuit Clerk either by mail or in person.Please complete the following in its entirety:
Name of the parties at the time of the divorce
Approximate month and year of divorce
Self-addressed stamped envelope
COST: $2.50 for judgment without attachment
$5.00 for judgment with attachment
Examples of an attachment: Parenting Plan or Separation Agreement, etc.Send your request to:
Cindi Bowman
Butler County Circuit Clerk
100 N. Main St.
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
- You may file a Motion for Family Access.Submit the following:
Prepared Motion for Family Access – can be submitted in person or by mail. The signature must be notarized.
$102.00 filing fee
Service fee – Motion must be served on the person violating the order. (Contact the appropriate county’s sheriff for the amount due)
Additional forms may be required. Please contact the Clerk’s office at 573-686-8082 for more specific information.