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Welcome to the law office of Mark A. Wortman. Mark is a Kansas City divorce and family law attorney with over 23 years of experience. Because Mark focuses only on Missouri divorce and family law — and has put all of his experience in these areas — he has more knowledge and expertise in these areas than a general practice firm. He knows the law, the courts, and probably the opposing counsel. So he knows he can help you.
Mark is the author of the Missouri Divorce and Family Law Blog, which we welcome you to visit. The firm has provided all of the information on this website to be of help to you if you need assistance in a Missouri family law matter.
We work together to provide people going through one of life’s most difficult transitions with the guidance and support they need. We help you understand what to expect, explain your options and the legal process, and ensure that you know you’re not alone in the family law process. We’re at your side every step of the way.
In Missouri, a divorce proceeding is used to end a lawful, valid marriage. An annulment, on the other hand, ends a marriage that was not valid to begin with. If a marriage is declared null and void, it is as if it never existed in the first place. An annulment is only granted in very limited situations, such as in the cases where spouses are relatives, bigamous marriages, lack of mental capacity, fraud of an intimate nature, duress, a spouse is underage, and a few other reasons. Note that an annulment will not be granted simply because the marriage is of short duration, and annulment proceeding is not cheaper or faster than a divorce.
Mediation is an out of court process where a third party attorney who is certified as a mediator will help the spouses come to an agreement on any unresolved issues. Most Kansas City area courts will require mediation to be completed before certifying the case for trial in a contested divorce case involving child custody. Mediation can also be used prior to filing the case to help the parties proceed with an uncontested case. A mediator does not represent either party, and cannot file the divorce case. Also, a mediated agreement is not binding until reduced to a settlement agreement and approved by the court.
In Missouri, property is characterized as either marital or non-marital property, and this applies to real estate, personal property, vehicles, retirement plans, bank accounts, debts, and any other type of property. Marital property is any property acquired between the date of the marriage and the date of the divorce. Non-marital property is any property that was owned prior to the marriage, or acquired during the marriage by gift or inheritance. Note that sometimes non-marital property can become marital property, or non-marital property can have a marital component. Non-marital property will be awarded to the party who owns it, and marital property and debt is usually divided equally. However, marital misconduct or other factors occasionally can justify an unequal division.
Your choice of family law firm can affect your whole future and that of your children. It’s important to work with a law firm that will give you the advice and support you need throughout the legal process, and a strong foundation for your life after your family law case.
Knowledge is power, and we believe that the more you know about family law, the better equipped you will be to make decisions in your case. Review our latest articles.
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