Section 15.1 Introduction and Statutory Authority

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

I. (§15.1) Introduction and Statutory Authority

In 1974, the present dissolution of marriage statute became effective in Missouri. The 1974 law dramatically changed Missouri’s prior divorce law in many ways. One of the most significant changes in the statute was that it granted jurisdiction to the divorce court to divide the property of the parties. Before the 1974 law, the courts had no authority to divide property within the scope of a divorce proceeding. Instead, there was a “race to the courthouse” to...