Missouri Laws 455.504 – Court clerks to furnish petitioners with uniform forms and information to ..
1. The clerk of the court shall make available to the petitioner the uniform forms adopted by the supreme court pursuant to section 455.073. Except as provided in section 455.510, clerks under the supervision of a circuit clerk shall explain to litigants not represented by counsel the procedures for filing all forms and pleadings necessary for the presentation of their petition filed pursuant to the provisions of sections 455.500 to 455.538 to the court. Notice of the fact that clerks will provide such assistance shall be conspicuously posted in the clerks’ offices. The location of the office where a petition can be filed shall be conspicuously posted in the court building. The performance of duties prescribed in this section shall not constitute the practice of law as defined in section 484.010. All duties of the clerk prescribed in this section shall be performed without cost to the litigants. The supreme court may promulgate rules as necessary to govern conduct of court clerks under sections 455.500 to 455.538, and shall provide forms for petitions and written instructions on filling out all forms and pleadings necessary for the presentation of the petition to the court.
2. No filing fees, court costs, or bond shall be assessed to the petitioner in an action commenced under sections 455.500 to 455.538.
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 455.504
- Child: any person under seventeen years of age unless otherwise emancipated. See Missouri Laws 455.010
- Court: the circuit or associate circuit judge or a family court commissioner. See Missouri Laws 455.010
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Guardian: if used in a section in a context relating to property rights or obligations, means conservator of the estate as defined in chapter 475. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Order of protection: either an ex parte order of protection or a full order of protection. See Missouri Laws 455.010
- Petitioner: a family or household member who has been a victim of domestic violence, or any person who has been the victim of stalking or sexual assault, or a person filing on behalf of a child pursuant to section 455. See Missouri Laws 455.010
- Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
3. The clerk shall immediately notify the guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate of appointment and shall provide such guardian or advocate with a copy of the petition for the order of protection for the child. The clerk shall provide such guardian or advocate with the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the parties within twenty-four hours of entry of the order appointing the guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate.