When parents go through a divorce or legal separation and have kids, the court system puts together a handbook. This handbook covers things like how to make a parenting plan, the benefits of parents working together, and what happens if a parent doesn't follow the rules about moving with a child. The parent who files for divorce gets a copy of the handbook, and the other parent gets one too when they are served with the divorce papers. The court also makes the handbook available to the public and state agencies.
452.556. Handbook, contents, availability. — 1. The shall create a handbook or be responsible for the approval of a handbook outlining the following:
(1) as to what is included in a in to maximize to the highest degree the amount of time the child may spend with each parent;
(2) The benefits of the parties agreeing to a parenting plan which outlines education, and cooperation between parents;
(3) The benefits of ;
(4) The for of custody or temporary ;
(5) The underlying assumptions for supreme court rules relating to child support; and
(6) A 's duties and responsibilities section 452.377, including the possible consequences of not complying with section 452.377.
2. In a or filed pursuant to section 452.310, or any in thereof, where are involved, 's shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the handbook developed pursuant to 1 of this section at the time the is filed and provide a copy of the handbook to be along with the petition and upon the . If the petitioner is unrepresented by counsel at the time the petition is filed, the court shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the handbook and direct that a copy of the handbook be served along with the petition and summons upon the respondent.
3. The court shall make the handbook available to interested state agencies and members of the public.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1998 S.B. 910, A.L. 2001 S.B. 267, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1231 merged with S.B. 621, A.L. 2016 H.B. 1550)
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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.