SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
Missouri Divorce Papers
Missouri Divorce Papers: Your Plain-Language Guide
If you are facing a divorce in Missouri, the paperwork can feel like the hardest part. The good news: Missouri is more standardized than most states. The Missouri Supreme Court publishes a genuine statewide set of forms (the CAFC series) that work in every county, so you are not left guessing which packet to use.
This guide walks you through the main Missouri divorce papers, what each one does, where to find them, and how the process generally flows. Missouri calls the process a "dissolution of marriage," so you will see that phrase on the official forms instead of the word "divorce."
A quick note on scope: this page is informational. It explains what the forms do and how the system is set up, not what you personally should file or how your case should be decided. Every situation is different, and for advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
With that said, let's break down the papers so you know what you are looking at.
Which Missouri Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Missouri's statewide CAFC-series forms are designed primarily for uncontested (agreed) dissolutions. The specific forms involved in a case generally depend on whether there are minor children, what property and debts exist, and whether the other spouse responds. Contested cases use the same initiating forms but then move into full litigation. Below is what each of the core forms does. The exact combination that applies to any one case can vary, so this is a description of the building blocks, not a checklist of what you must file.
Starting the Case
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001)
This form initiates the dissolution case. It must be verified (notarized) before filing, and the petitioner files it to open the case.
Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10)
This is a required cover sheet filed with the petition. It contains identifying information that the court keeps confidential.
Responding to the Petition
Verified Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC010-R)
This is the respondent's formal answer to the petition. It is generally due within 30 days of being served.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050)
This form discloses each party's income, expenses, and financial needs. Both parties complete it.
Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040)
This form discloses all marital and separate property and debts, and it includes the proposed division — which functions as the separation agreement. Both parties complete it.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Parenting Plan (CAFC501) — Parts A and B
This form is required in all cases involving minor children (under 18, or under 21 if enrolled full-time in college). It sets out custody, the visitation schedule, decision-making, and parenting arrangements. Both parties submit proposed plans.
Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet (Form 14)
This is the Missouri Supreme Court-mandated worksheet (under Rule 88.01) used to calculate the presumed correct child support amount. It is included within or attached to the Parenting Plan. Worth knowing: Form 14 is a separate statutory worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
In Missouri, the proposed division of property and debts is built directly into the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040) described above, rather than living on a separate standalone "settlement" form. When children are involved, the parenting and support terms are carried in the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14.
Finalizing Your Case
Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070)
This is the proposed final order submitted to the court for the judge's signature. Once signed, it constitutes the final divorce decree.
Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC065)
This is a vital records form submitted to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services when the final decree is entered. Most courts require two copies to be filed.
Where to Get Missouri Divorce Forms
Missouri makes its forms unusually easy to access. Here are the main sources.
Official Missouri Courts Website
The Missouri Supreme Court publishes the statewide CAFC-series forms for free. You can find them on the official Missouri courts forms page at courts.mo.gov. The CAFC packet is built as an integrated smart form — information entered on the Petition (CAFC001) auto-populates other forms in the packet — and it works best with Adobe Acrobat DC or Reader DC.
Your County Circuit Court Clerk
Missouri has 45 circuit courts, and some require additional local cover sheets or filing checklists on top of the statewide forms (for example, Jackson County's FOCIS enrollment documentation or Greene County's Family Education Order). Checking your local circuit court clerk's website for supplemental local requirements is a smart step.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
Missouri also hosts a self-represented litigant portal at selfrepresent.mo.gov, where the statewide forms are available and where self-represented filers complete the required Litigant Awareness Program (more on that below).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you would rather not assemble the packet yourself, Divorce.com can help you prepare your Missouri divorce paperwork by guiding you through the questions and producing the documents based on your answers. It is a way to reduce the guesswork of which forms go together for an uncontested case.
Hiring an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and file documents on your behalf. Contested divorces in Missouri don't have a separate form set — they follow the same petition-and-answer framework — but they typically involve litigation and attorney involvement.
The Missouri Divorce Process
While every case differs, a Missouri dissolution generally follows these steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident (or an armed forces member stationed in Missouri) for at least 90 days immediately before the petition is filed. The case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001) along with the Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10) at the circuit court.
3. Complete the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented litigants complete a brief online Litigant Awareness Program at selfrepresent.mo.gov and file the certificate of completion before the case proceeds.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is served with the petition and has about 30 days to file a Verified Answer (CAFC010-R).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Both parties complete the Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050) and the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040). When minor children are involved, the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14 child support worksheet come into play, and both parents attend a court-approved parent education program.
6. Observe the Waiting Period
Missouri requires a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing before the court may enter a final judgment. This waiting period cannot be waived.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
Once the court enters the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070) and the Certificate of Dissolution (CAFC065) is filed with vital records, the dissolution is final. Certified copies of the decree are typically used afterward for changing names, titles, and accounts.
Missouri-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri (or been stationed there in the armed forces) for a minimum of 90 days before filing, and the case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
Property regime. Missouri is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly — which is not always the same as an exact 50/50 split.
Grounds. Missouri is primarily a no-fault state: the standard ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. If both spouses agree on that, the declaration is sufficient. If one spouse denies it, the petitioner must prove one of five fault or separation grounds under RSMo §452.320 — (1) adultery making cohabitation intolerable; (2) the respondent's behavior making continued cohabitation unreasonable; (3) abandonment for at least 6 months; (4) living separate and apart by mutual consent for 12 continuous months; or (5) living separate and apart for at least 24 months. Missouri does not have covenant marriage.
Waiting period. A mandatory 30-day waiting period applies after filing before a final judgment can be entered, and it cannot be waived.
Mandatory parent education. Under RSMo §452.600, both parents must attend a court-approved parent education program (such as Focus on Kids via MU Extension, or COPE) in any dissolution involving children under 18. Each circuit court designates approved providers by local rule, and some circuits require in-person attendance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented filers are required to complete the online Litigant Awareness Program and file the completion certificate before the case can proceed. Overlooking it can stall things.
Missing Local Circuit Requirements
The statewide CAFC forms are only part of the picture in some counties. Circuits like Jackson and Greene require additional local documentation. Checking your local clerk's website helps avoid surprises.
Treating Form 14 Like a CAFC Court Form
Form 14 is a Rule 88.01 child support worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form. It is attached to or included within the Parenting Plan rather than filed as its own standalone CAFC document.
Forgetting the Parent Education Requirement
In cases with children under 18, both parents are required to complete a court-approved parent education program. Each circuit sets its own approved providers.
Filing the Petition Without Notarization
The Petition for Dissolution (CAFC001) must be verified — meaning notarized — before it is filed.
Assuming the Uncontested Packet Fits a Contested Case
The CAFC packet is designed for agreed, uncontested dissolutions. A contested case uses the same initiating forms but then requires full litigation, which is where professional help often matters.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Assembling Missouri's interconnected CAFC forms by hand — and making sure you've caught any local circuit requirements — can be a lot. Divorce.com is built to simplify that. You answer plain-language questions, and the service helps prepare your Missouri dissolution documents based on your responses, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Guided questionnaire that translates the CAFC packet into plain questions.
Document preparation for uncontested Missouri dissolutions, based on your answers.
Time saved compared with manually cross-referencing forms and instructions.
A clearer path from the first form to the final decree.
Which Missouri Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Missouri's statewide CAFC-series forms are designed primarily for uncontested (agreed) dissolutions. The specific forms involved in a case generally depend on whether there are minor children, what property and debts exist, and whether the other spouse responds. Contested cases use the same initiating forms but then move into full litigation. Below is what each of the core forms does. The exact combination that applies to any one case can vary, so this is a description of the building blocks, not a checklist of what you must file.
Starting the Case
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001)
This form initiates the dissolution case. It must be verified (notarized) before filing, and the petitioner files it to open the case.
Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10)
This is a required cover sheet filed with the petition. It contains identifying information that the court keeps confidential.
Responding to the Petition
Verified Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC010-R)
This is the respondent's formal answer to the petition. It is generally due within 30 days of being served.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050)
This form discloses each party's income, expenses, and financial needs. Both parties complete it.
Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040)
This form discloses all marital and separate property and debts, and it includes the proposed division — which functions as the separation agreement. Both parties complete it.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Parenting Plan (CAFC501) — Parts A and B
This form is required in all cases involving minor children (under 18, or under 21 if enrolled full-time in college). It sets out custody, the visitation schedule, decision-making, and parenting arrangements. Both parties submit proposed plans.
Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet (Form 14)
This is the Missouri Supreme Court-mandated worksheet (under Rule 88.01) used to calculate the presumed correct child support amount. It is included within or attached to the Parenting Plan. Worth knowing: Form 14 is a separate statutory worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
In Missouri, the proposed division of property and debts is built directly into the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040) described above, rather than living on a separate standalone "settlement" form. When children are involved, the parenting and support terms are carried in the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14.
Finalizing Your Case
Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070)
This is the proposed final order submitted to the court for the judge's signature. Once signed, it constitutes the final divorce decree.
Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC065)
This is a vital records form submitted to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services when the final decree is entered. Most courts require two copies to be filed.
Where to Get Missouri Divorce Forms
Missouri makes its forms unusually easy to access. Here are the main sources.
Official Missouri Courts Website
The Missouri Supreme Court publishes the statewide CAFC-series forms for free. You can find them on the official Missouri courts forms page at courts.mo.gov. The CAFC packet is built as an integrated smart form — information entered on the Petition (CAFC001) auto-populates other forms in the packet — and it works best with Adobe Acrobat DC or Reader DC.
Your County Circuit Court Clerk
Missouri has 45 circuit courts, and some require additional local cover sheets or filing checklists on top of the statewide forms (for example, Jackson County's FOCIS enrollment documentation or Greene County's Family Education Order). Checking your local circuit court clerk's website for supplemental local requirements is a smart step.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
Missouri also hosts a self-represented litigant portal at selfrepresent.mo.gov, where the statewide forms are available and where self-represented filers complete the required Litigant Awareness Program (more on that below).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you would rather not assemble the packet yourself, Divorce.com can help you prepare your Missouri divorce paperwork by guiding you through the questions and producing the documents based on your answers. It is a way to reduce the guesswork of which forms go together for an uncontested case.
Hiring an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and file documents on your behalf. Contested divorces in Missouri don't have a separate form set — they follow the same petition-and-answer framework — but they typically involve litigation and attorney involvement.
The Missouri Divorce Process
While every case differs, a Missouri dissolution generally follows these steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident (or an armed forces member stationed in Missouri) for at least 90 days immediately before the petition is filed. The case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001) along with the Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10) at the circuit court.
3. Complete the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented litigants complete a brief online Litigant Awareness Program at selfrepresent.mo.gov and file the certificate of completion before the case proceeds.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is served with the petition and has about 30 days to file a Verified Answer (CAFC010-R).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Both parties complete the Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050) and the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040). When minor children are involved, the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14 child support worksheet come into play, and both parents attend a court-approved parent education program.
6. Observe the Waiting Period
Missouri requires a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing before the court may enter a final judgment. This waiting period cannot be waived.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
Once the court enters the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070) and the Certificate of Dissolution (CAFC065) is filed with vital records, the dissolution is final. Certified copies of the decree are typically used afterward for changing names, titles, and accounts.
Missouri-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri (or been stationed there in the armed forces) for a minimum of 90 days before filing, and the case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
Property regime. Missouri is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly — which is not always the same as an exact 50/50 split.
Grounds. Missouri is primarily a no-fault state: the standard ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. If both spouses agree on that, the declaration is sufficient. If one spouse denies it, the petitioner must prove one of five fault or separation grounds under RSMo §452.320 — (1) adultery making cohabitation intolerable; (2) the respondent's behavior making continued cohabitation unreasonable; (3) abandonment for at least 6 months; (4) living separate and apart by mutual consent for 12 continuous months; or (5) living separate and apart for at least 24 months. Missouri does not have covenant marriage.
Waiting period. A mandatory 30-day waiting period applies after filing before a final judgment can be entered, and it cannot be waived.
Mandatory parent education. Under RSMo §452.600, both parents must attend a court-approved parent education program (such as Focus on Kids via MU Extension, or COPE) in any dissolution involving children under 18. Each circuit court designates approved providers by local rule, and some circuits require in-person attendance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented filers are required to complete the online Litigant Awareness Program and file the completion certificate before the case can proceed. Overlooking it can stall things.
Missing Local Circuit Requirements
The statewide CAFC forms are only part of the picture in some counties. Circuits like Jackson and Greene require additional local documentation. Checking your local clerk's website helps avoid surprises.
Treating Form 14 Like a CAFC Court Form
Form 14 is a Rule 88.01 child support worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form. It is attached to or included within the Parenting Plan rather than filed as its own standalone CAFC document.
Forgetting the Parent Education Requirement
In cases with children under 18, both parents are required to complete a court-approved parent education program. Each circuit sets its own approved providers.
Filing the Petition Without Notarization
The Petition for Dissolution (CAFC001) must be verified — meaning notarized — before it is filed.
Assuming the Uncontested Packet Fits a Contested Case
The CAFC packet is designed for agreed, uncontested dissolutions. A contested case uses the same initiating forms but then requires full litigation, which is where professional help often matters.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Assembling Missouri's interconnected CAFC forms by hand — and making sure you've caught any local circuit requirements — can be a lot. Divorce.com is built to simplify that. You answer plain-language questions, and the service helps prepare your Missouri dissolution documents based on your responses, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Guided questionnaire that translates the CAFC packet into plain questions.
Document preparation for uncontested Missouri dissolutions, based on your answers.
Time saved compared with manually cross-referencing forms and instructions.
A clearer path from the first form to the final decree.
Which Missouri Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Missouri's statewide CAFC-series forms are designed primarily for uncontested (agreed) dissolutions. The specific forms involved in a case generally depend on whether there are minor children, what property and debts exist, and whether the other spouse responds. Contested cases use the same initiating forms but then move into full litigation. Below is what each of the core forms does. The exact combination that applies to any one case can vary, so this is a description of the building blocks, not a checklist of what you must file.
Starting the Case
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001)
This form initiates the dissolution case. It must be verified (notarized) before filing, and the petitioner files it to open the case.
Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10)
This is a required cover sheet filed with the petition. It contains identifying information that the court keeps confidential.
Responding to the Petition
Verified Answer to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC010-R)
This is the respondent's formal answer to the petition. It is generally due within 30 days of being served.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050)
This form discloses each party's income, expenses, and financial needs. Both parties complete it.
Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040)
This form discloses all marital and separate property and debts, and it includes the proposed division — which functions as the separation agreement. Both parties complete it.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Parenting Plan (CAFC501) — Parts A and B
This form is required in all cases involving minor children (under 18, or under 21 if enrolled full-time in college). It sets out custody, the visitation schedule, decision-making, and parenting arrangements. Both parties submit proposed plans.
Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet (Form 14)
This is the Missouri Supreme Court-mandated worksheet (under Rule 88.01) used to calculate the presumed correct child support amount. It is included within or attached to the Parenting Plan. Worth knowing: Form 14 is a separate statutory worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
In Missouri, the proposed division of property and debts is built directly into the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040) described above, rather than living on a separate standalone "settlement" form. When children are involved, the parenting and support terms are carried in the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14.
Finalizing Your Case
Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070)
This is the proposed final order submitted to the court for the judge's signature. Once signed, it constitutes the final divorce decree.
Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC065)
This is a vital records form submitted to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services when the final decree is entered. Most courts require two copies to be filed.
Where to Get Missouri Divorce Forms
Missouri makes its forms unusually easy to access. Here are the main sources.
Official Missouri Courts Website
The Missouri Supreme Court publishes the statewide CAFC-series forms for free. You can find them on the official Missouri courts forms page at courts.mo.gov. The CAFC packet is built as an integrated smart form — information entered on the Petition (CAFC001) auto-populates other forms in the packet — and it works best with Adobe Acrobat DC or Reader DC.
Your County Circuit Court Clerk
Missouri has 45 circuit courts, and some require additional local cover sheets or filing checklists on top of the statewide forms (for example, Jackson County's FOCIS enrollment documentation or Greene County's Family Education Order). Checking your local circuit court clerk's website for supplemental local requirements is a smart step.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
Missouri also hosts a self-represented litigant portal at selfrepresent.mo.gov, where the statewide forms are available and where self-represented filers complete the required Litigant Awareness Program (more on that below).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If you would rather not assemble the packet yourself, Divorce.com can help you prepare your Missouri divorce paperwork by guiding you through the questions and producing the documents based on your answers. It is a way to reduce the guesswork of which forms go together for an uncontested case.
Hiring an Attorney
For contested cases, complex assets, or any situation where you simply want professional guidance, an attorney can prepare and file documents on your behalf. Contested divorces in Missouri don't have a separate form set — they follow the same petition-and-answer framework — but they typically involve litigation and attorney involvement.
The Missouri Divorce Process
While every case differs, a Missouri dissolution generally follows these steps.
1. Meet the Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident (or an armed forces member stationed in Missouri) for at least 90 days immediately before the petition is filed. The case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
2. File the Petition
The petitioner files the verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001) along with the Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10) at the circuit court.
3. Complete the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented litigants complete a brief online Litigant Awareness Program at selfrepresent.mo.gov and file the certificate of completion before the case proceeds.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The respondent is served with the petition and has about 30 days to file a Verified Answer (CAFC010-R).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Both parties complete the Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050) and the Statement of Property and Debt and Proposed Separation Agreement (CAFC040). When minor children are involved, the Parenting Plan (CAFC501) and Form 14 child support worksheet come into play, and both parents attend a court-approved parent education program.
6. Observe the Waiting Period
Missouri requires a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing before the court may enter a final judgment. This waiting period cannot be waived.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
Once the court enters the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC070) and the Certificate of Dissolution (CAFC065) is filed with vital records, the dissolution is final. Certified copies of the decree are typically used afterward for changing names, titles, and accounts.
Missouri-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri (or been stationed there in the armed forces) for a minimum of 90 days before filing, and the case is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
Property regime. Missouri is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly — which is not always the same as an exact 50/50 split.
Grounds. Missouri is primarily a no-fault state: the standard ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. If both spouses agree on that, the declaration is sufficient. If one spouse denies it, the petitioner must prove one of five fault or separation grounds under RSMo §452.320 — (1) adultery making cohabitation intolerable; (2) the respondent's behavior making continued cohabitation unreasonable; (3) abandonment for at least 6 months; (4) living separate and apart by mutual consent for 12 continuous months; or (5) living separate and apart for at least 24 months. Missouri does not have covenant marriage.
Waiting period. A mandatory 30-day waiting period applies after filing before a final judgment can be entered, and it cannot be waived.
Mandatory parent education. Under RSMo §452.600, both parents must attend a court-approved parent education program (such as Focus on Kids via MU Extension, or COPE) in any dissolution involving children under 18. Each circuit court designates approved providers by local rule, and some circuits require in-person attendance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Litigant Awareness Program
Self-represented filers are required to complete the online Litigant Awareness Program and file the completion certificate before the case can proceed. Overlooking it can stall things.
Missing Local Circuit Requirements
The statewide CAFC forms are only part of the picture in some counties. Circuits like Jackson and Greene require additional local documentation. Checking your local clerk's website helps avoid surprises.
Treating Form 14 Like a CAFC Court Form
Form 14 is a Rule 88.01 child support worksheet, not a numbered CAFC court form. It is attached to or included within the Parenting Plan rather than filed as its own standalone CAFC document.
Forgetting the Parent Education Requirement
In cases with children under 18, both parents are required to complete a court-approved parent education program. Each circuit sets its own approved providers.
Filing the Petition Without Notarization
The Petition for Dissolution (CAFC001) must be verified — meaning notarized — before it is filed.
Assuming the Uncontested Packet Fits a Contested Case
The CAFC packet is designed for agreed, uncontested dissolutions. A contested case uses the same initiating forms but then requires full litigation, which is where professional help often matters.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Assembling Missouri's interconnected CAFC forms by hand — and making sure you've caught any local circuit requirements — can be a lot. Divorce.com is built to simplify that. You answer plain-language questions, and the service helps prepare your Missouri dissolution documents based on your responses, so you spend less time decoding form numbers and more time moving forward.
Guided questionnaire that translates the CAFC packet into plain questions.
Document preparation for uncontested Missouri dissolutions, based on your answers.
Time saved compared with manually cross-referencing forms and instructions.
A clearer path from the first form to the final decree.
Missouri Divorce Papers: Your Plain-Language Guide
If you are facing a divorce in Missouri, the paperwork can feel like the hardest part. The good news: Missouri is more standardized than most states. The Missouri Supreme Court publishes a genuine statewide set of forms (the CAFC series) that work in every county, so you are not left guessing which packet to use.
This guide walks you through the main Missouri divorce papers, what each one does, where to find them, and how the process generally flows. Missouri calls the process a "dissolution of marriage," so you will see that phrase on the official forms instead of the word "divorce."
A quick note on scope: this page is informational. It explains what the forms do and how the system is set up, not what you personally should file or how your case should be decided. Every situation is different, and for advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
With that said, let's break down the papers so you know what you are looking at.
The Bottom Line
Missouri is one of the more standardized states for divorce paperwork. The Missouri Supreme Court's statewide CAFC-series forms work in every county and are free to download, which makes the path clearer than in many states — though self-represented filers still need to complete the Litigant Awareness Program, watch for local circuit requirements (counties like Jackson, Greene, and the courts serving St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia can add their own steps), and observe the mandatory 30-day waiting period.
You can download the official forms for free from the Missouri Courts website, or let Divorce.com guide you through preparing your uncontested dissolution paperwork step by step.
This guide is informational and describes what the forms do and how the process is set up — not what you should file or how your case should be resolved. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
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