1. Any petition for modification of child custody decrees filed under the provisions of section 452.410 or sections 452.700 to 452.930 shall be verified and, if the original proceeding originated in the state of Missouri, shall be filed in that original case, but service shall be obtained and responsive pleadings may be filed as in any original proceeding.

2. Before making a decree under section 452.410 or sections 452.700 to 452.930, the litigants, any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated, and any person who has physical custody of the child shall be served in the manner provided by the rules of civil procedure and applicable court rules and may within thirty days after the date of service (forty-five days if service by publication) file a verified answer. If any such persons are outside this state, notice and opportunity to be heard shall be given under section 452.740.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 452.747

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Custody: means joint legal custody, sole legal custody, joint physical custody or sole physical custody or any combination thereof. See Missouri Laws 452.375
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • 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.
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020