Best St. Louis Divorce Attorneys

When a marriage ends, St. Louis divorce lawyers sort out the house, the debts, and the parenting schedule. Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation. When talks stall, an attorney argues the open issues before a family court judge. Spousal support and retirement accounts often take the longest to resolve. The list below mixes solo practices with larger Clayton firms.

Listed St. Louis Divorce Lawyers are ranked by one score, applied the same way to every firm. It draws on public signals, including:

  • Client satisfaction and overall online reputation
  • The volume and consistency of client feedback
  • How established the firm is
  • Peer recognition within the legal community and across the web

Rankings are calculated independently from public data. Paid placements don't change a listing's score.

Top-Rated St. Louis Family Law Firms for Custody & Property Cases

Screenshot of the The Marks Law Firm, L.L.C. Website

Jonathan D. Marks is a divorce attorney in Creve Coeur. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Best Lawyers has named him Lawyer of the Year for family law in St. Louis.

The firm handles high-asset divorce, divorce over 50, military divorce, and custody disputes. Attorney Marks is also board-certified in family law and works as a mediator. Clients meet at offices in Creve Coeur, St. Charles, and O'Fallon.

Screenshot of the Bardol Law Firm, LLC - Family and Divorce Lawyers Website
34 N Gore Ave, Suite 203, St. Louis, MO 63119, USA

Bardol Law Firm handles only family law cases for clients across the St. Louis area. Its attorneys take on contested and uncontested divorce, custody, adoption, and guardianship. The team also represents domestic violence victims seeking orders of protection.

The attorney you meet at your consultation handles your case. Calls reach a real person, and an answering service covers after-hours emergencies. The site also offers free Missouri child support and parenting time calculators.

Screenshot of the Langley Law Firm/ Divorce and Family Law Website
11756 Borman Dr, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146, USA

Langley Law Firm is a St. Louis family law practice serving clients in Missouri and Illinois. Attorney Brian H. Langley holds J.D., LL.M., and M.A. degrees. He handles divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and visitation cases.

The firm also helps domestic violence victims obtain orders of protection and prepares wills. Its office sits on the border of Maryland Heights and Creve Coeur. Free consultations are available.

Screenshot of the The Smith Law Firm, LLC Website
231 S Bemiston Ave #800, St. Louis, MO 63105, USA

The Smith Law Firm represents divorce and family law clients in St. Louis and St. Charles. Attorney Neil Smith leads the practice from its Clayton office. Cases range from low-cost uncontested settlements to complex litigation over hidden assets.

The firm also handles custody, maintenance, paternity, and modifications. It keeps a limited caseload so each client gets responsive, personal attention. Returning clients and referrals from attorneys and judges get priority.

Screenshot of the Cordell & Cordell - Divorce Attorney Office Website
600 Kellwood Pkwy suite 310, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA

Cordell and Cordell is a national divorce and family law firm headquartered in St. Louis. Co-founded by Joseph E. Cordell, it has practiced family law for more than three decades. Its West County office on Kellwood Parkway serves Town and Country and Chesterfield.

The St. Louis team handles divorce, custody, child support, and property division. It also takes military divorce, prenuptial agreements, and family law appeals. The firm publishes fathers' rights resources and a long-running divorce podcast.

Screenshot of the The Center for Family Law Website
230 S Bemiston Ave Ste 405, Clayton, St. Louis, MO 63105, USA

The Center for Family Law has served St. Louis families since 2013 from offices in Clayton and St. Charles. Its attorneys handle divorce, custody, adoption, guardianship, and estate planning. Clients can choose mediation, collaborative divorce, limited representation, or litigation.

Best Lawyers has named it a Tier 1 Best Law Firm in St. Louis for family law. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has honored the firm for its pro bono work.

Screenshot of the Lake Munro, LLC Website
1650 Des Peres Rd., Suite 220 St. Louis, MO 63131

Lake Munro is a St. Louis County law firm with offices in Des Peres and St. Charles. Its attorneys are licensed in Missouri and Illinois and practice on both sides of the river. Family law cases include divorce, custody, paternity, adoption, and grandparents' rights.

The firm also handles personal injury, estate planning, criminal defense, and immigration matters. First consultations are free by phone, video, or in person. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

Screenshot of the Coulter Goldberger, LLC Website
130 South Bemiston Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105

Coulter Goldberger helps St. Louis County families with divorce and family law from offices in Clayton and St. Charles. Attorneys C. Curran Coulter II and Elliott I. Goldberger have been recognized by Super Lawyers. The firm seeks cooperative settlements but is ready to litigate.

Its practice includes gray divorce, high net worth divorce, parental relocation, and juvenile law. Free consultations come with evening and weekend appointments on request.

Screenshot of the Davis & Associates, Attorneys at Law Website
6 Cardinal Wy Suite 900, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA

Davis and Associates is a national family law firm with an office in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri team serves the Greater St. Louis metro, including Metro East communities in Illinois. Attorneys handle divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, and asset division.

Instead of hourly billing, the firm uses custom monthly pricing. Clients know their costs upfront and get no surprise invoices. Small business divorce, prenuptial agreements, and estate planning are also available.

Screenshot of the Doskocil Law Firm Website
476 Old Smizer Mill Rd Ste 232, Fenton, MO 63026, USA

Doskocil Law Firm has served the St. Louis region since 1959, with offices in Fenton and St. Louis City. Attorney Chris Doskocil took over the practice from his father. Licensed in Missouri and Illinois since 1987, he holds an AV Preeminent rating.

His family law work centers on uncontested divorce, custody, support, and property division. The firm also handles estate planning, probate, and civil litigation. Clients talk directly with the attorney, and both offices work by appointment only.

Screenshot of the Family Ally Website
130 S Bemiston Ave UNIT 608, St. Louis, MO 63105, USA

Family Ally is the Clayton law office of St. Louis family lawyer Jennifer R. Piper. She favors mediation and collaborative divorce over long court battles. Her practice covers divorce, custody, spousal support, and prenuptial agreements.

She also handles parenting coordination, guardianship, relocation, and stepparent adoption. Attorney Piper has been named to The Best Lawyers in America and Missouri Super Lawyers. She is a past president of the St. Louis County Bar Association.

Screenshot of the Growe Eisen Karlen Eilerts Website

Growe Eisen Karlen Eilerts takes family law, injury, and business cases to trial in Missouri and Illinois. The firm works from offices in Clayton and Swansea, Illinois, and also handles appeals. Its family law attorneys guide clients through divorce and child custody disputes.

Other practice areas include workers' compensation and real estate disputes.

Screenshot of the Marta J. Papa, P.C. Website
13321 N. Outer Forty Road, Suite 600, Town and Country, MO 63017, USA

Marta J. Papa has practiced divorce and family law in the St. Louis area for more than three decades. She and her team have helped more than 15,000 couples divorce. Clients can choose litigation, mediation, or a non-contested filing.

Her Town and Country office handles custody, support, maintenance, and orders of protection. It also takes high net worth divorces, divorces involving a business, and LGBTQIA cases. Attorney Papa also teaches mediation training courses.

Screenshot of the Carmody MacDonald P.C. Website
120 S Central Ave # 1800, Clayton, MO 63105, USA

Carmody MacDonald is a Clayton law firm whose family law group handles divorce, custody, and support. The team also takes paternity cases, orders of protection, and appeals. It drafts prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as well.

Family lawyers work with the firm's tax, estate planning, and business attorneys on complex financial cases. They have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America and selected as Super Lawyers.

Screenshot of the Thomas J. Henderson, Attorney at Law Website
2001 S Hanley Rd, Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63144, USA
Screenshot of the Glassman Divorce, LLC Website
225 S Meramec Ave suite 511, Clayton, MO 63105, USA

Glassman Divorce is a Clayton family law practice run by attorney Jonathan K. Glassman. He has tried family law cases to conclusion and argued multiple appeals. His work covers divorce, custody, paternity, adoption, and orders of protection.

He also handles alimony, property division, and prenuptial agreements. Free phone consultations are available.

Screenshot of the J. Rench Law Firm LLC | St. Louis Divorce and Mediation Website

J. Rench Law Firm helps St. Louis couples divorce through mediation and amicable settlement. Attorney and mediator Jennifer Rench has helped more than 1,000 people in the area. She also handles collaborative divorce, legal separation, paternity, custody, and support.

When a case goes to court, she still works to keep conflict low. Free consultations are available, and video meetings can replace office visits.

Screenshot of the Spirn Family Law Website
7700 Bonhomme Ave SUITE 560, St. Louis, MO 63105, USA

Spirn Family Law is a Clayton divorce firm that practices only family law. Attorney Michelle J. Spirn leads the firm and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She holds an AV rating and has made the Super Lawyers Top 50 list in St. Louis.

The firm takes divorces involving complex assets and business valuations. It also handles maintenance, custody, modifications, prenuptial agreements, and appeals.

Screenshot of the Melissa Harper, Attorney at Law Website
3636 S Geyer Rd #100, St. Louis, MO 63127, USA

Melissa Harper practices family law in the St. Louis area from an office in Sunset Hills. Her small firm focuses on divorce, child custody, and child support. It serves St. Louis City and County, plus Jefferson and St. Charles counties. Clients work directly with their attorney from start to finish.

Screenshot of the Karsten & Bridges, LLC Website
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1850, Clayton, MO 63105, USA

Karsten and Bridges serves families and small businesses from an AV-rated practice in Clayton. Its lawyers handle family law, personal injury, estate planning, and criminal and traffic cases. They are licensed in Missouri and Illinois.

The firm serves St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, and Lincoln counties. Initial consultations are free, and home or hospital visits are available on request.

Screenshot of the Marler Law Partners Website
10805 Sunset Office Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63127

Marler Law Partners is a trauma-informed family law firm in St. Louis, with a second office in Farmington. Attorney Sara Marler founded the firm, and the team is all women. Each client's case team includes an attorney, a paralegal, a client advocate, and an on-staff therapist.

Services include divorce, divorce coaching, fixed-fee divorce, and LGBTQIA+ family law. The firm also handles personal injury cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a divorce take in Missouri?

At least 30 days after filing. One spouse must live in Missouri for 90 days before filing. A judge can't finalize the divorce until 30 days after the petition is filed. Uncontested cases often finish in a few months, while contested ones can take a year or more.

Do you need a reason to get divorced in Missouri?

No, Missouri is a no-fault state. The court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault, such as adultery, can still affect property division or maintenance in some cases.

Where are St. Louis divorce cases filed?

In the circuit court where a spouse lives. St. Louis County cases go to the 21st Judicial Circuit in Clayton. St. Louis City cases are heard by the 22nd Judicial Circuit downtown. St. Charles County residents file in St. Charles.

How is property divided in a Missouri divorce?

Fairly, but not always equally. Courts divide marital property based on factors like each spouse's finances, contributions, and conduct. Property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance usually stays separate. Splitting a retirement plan often requires a separate court order called a QDRO.

How do Missouri courts decide child custody?

Based on the child's best interests. Missouri law presumes that equal or nearly equal parenting time is best for the child. A parent can rebut that presumption with evidence. Each parent must also file a proposed parenting plan.

How is child support calculated in Missouri?

Through the state's Form 14 guidelines. The worksheet uses both parents' incomes, the number of children, health insurance, and child care costs. Overnights with each parent can also change the amount. A judge may depart from the result only with written findings.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in St. Louis?

It depends on how contested the case is. Most family lawyers bill hourly and ask for a retainer up front. Some offer flat fees for uncontested divorces. A trial over custody or a business costs far more than a settled case.

Types of Divorce and Family Law Cases in St. Louis

Uncontested Divorce. Spouses agree on property, debts, and parenting terms. An attorney drafts the settlement and files it with the court.

Contested Divorce. Spouses disagree on one or more issues. These cases involve discovery, hearings, and sometimes a trial.

High-Asset Divorce. Business interests, real estate, and investments need careful valuation. Lawyers often bring in forensic accountants or appraisers.

Custody and Parenting Time. These cases set where children live and who makes major decisions. Relocation disputes fall here too.

Maintenance. This is Missouri's term for alimony. A judge weighs each spouse's needs, earning ability, and the length of the marriage.

Modifications. Support or parenting orders can change after a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. A lawyer files a motion to modify the existing judgment.

Legal Separation. Some couples separate without ending the marriage. The court still decides property, support, and custody.

How to Choose a Divorce Attorney in St. Louis

Match the lawyer to your case. Some attorneys focus on mediation and negotiated agreements. Others spend most of their time in court. Pick the approach that fits how much you and your spouse agree on.

Ask who will handle your file. At larger firms, an associate may do much of the daily work. Ask who attends hearings and returns your calls.

Check local court experience. Judges and procedures differ between the St. Louis County and City courts. A lawyer who files there often knows what to expect.

Get the fee terms in writing. Ask about hourly rates, retainers, and what happens when the retainer runs out.

Look for financial know-how. Cases with a business, pensions, or stock options need a lawyer who understands valuation.

What Affects a Divorce Settlement in St. Louis

Every divorce settlement depends on the couple's assets, debts, and children. The length of the marriage and each spouse's income shape any maintenance award. Disputes over a business or hidden accounts can drag out negotiations. Settling through mediation usually costs less than going to trial. A local attorney can explain how a judge might view your case.

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