MissouriCourts may enter divorce or separation judgments during pregnancy
A spouse’s pregnancy would not prevent a Missouri court from entering a divorce or separation judgment, and petitions would have to report pregnancy status.
What it does
A spouse’s pregnancy would not prevent a court from entering a divorce or legal separation judgment. The court must still meet the other requirements for the judgment.
People filing for divorce or legal separation would have to state whether the wife is pregnant and provide the last four Social Security digits for each party and child.
Argument forPregnant spouses could complete a divorce or separation case without waiting for the pregnancy to end.
Argument againstRequiring petitions to report pregnancy and Social Security digits could expose sensitive family information in court filings.
More detail
Pregnancy status shall not prevent a court from entering a divorce or legal separation judgment. This applies to people seeking a divorce or legal separation in Missouri. The court must still meet the other requirements for the judgment, including considering child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and property matters within its authority.
A petition must state whether the wife is pregnant and list the last four Social Security digits for each party and child. This applies to petitions for divorce or legal separation. Full Social Security numbers must be provided as required by section 509.520.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 15Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Latest
- Feb 4Read Second Time (H)Minor
- Feb 3Introduced and Read First Time (H)Introduced
Government & Ethics