Embarking on the journey to navigate child custody proceedings can be a daunting task for families undergoing transitions. In Missouri, the Form CAFC201 – Petition for Child Custody plays a pivotal role in this process, serving as the initial step for parents to formally request the court's intervention in determining the custody arrangement that best serves the interests of their child or children. This comprehensive form requires detailed information from the filers, starting with basic identity verification, such as full names, social security numbers, and contact details, and extending to more complex inquiries about the nature of the petition, including whether it's an original submission or an amendment to an existing case. The form is structured to gather exhaustive details about both parties involved (labeled as the "Petitioner" and the "Respondent"), the child or children at the heart of the case, including their current living situation and any relevant history regarding custody or welfare concerns, employment information of both parents, and the proposed parenting plan that outlines the desired custody arrangement and, if applicable, child support provisions. Additionally, it addresses the legal prerequisites for filing for custody in Missouri, such as establishing paternity or relationship to the child, and includes specific sections to disclose any previous or ongoing legal actions related to the child's custody, aiming to provide the court with a full picture of the child’s background and the petitioner's reasoning for the requested custody configuration. Through the careful completion of Form CAFC201, parties embark on the legal pathway towards resolving their custody arrangements, guided by the underlying goal of ensuring the welfare and best interests of the child or children involved.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Form Cafc201 Missouri |
| Form Length | 5 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 1 min 15 sec |
| Other names | CAFC201, resided, CAFC201-7, TANF |
Form CAFC201 – Petition for Child Custody
In what Missouri county will this case be filed?
If this is an amended petition, what is the case number of the pending case?
In the Circuit Court of
MISSOURI
Case Number |
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Division Number |
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Answer all questions on this form completely.
Your Information
1.My full name is: (You are the “Petitioner” in this case.)
__________________ |
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_____________________________ |
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(First Name) |
(Middle Name) |
(Last Name) |
(Jr./Sr./III) |
2. This is the first petition I have filed in this case. (Original Petition)
This is the second petition I have filed in this case.
This is the third petition I have filed in this case.
3. I am the Mother
I am the Father
4.The last four numbers of my Social Security Number are:
5.My mailing address is:
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Street)
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(City) |
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(Zip) |
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(Telephone Number) |
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Other Party’s Information
6.The full name of the other party is: (He or she is the “Respondent” in this case.)
__________________ |
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_____________________________ |
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(First Name) |
(Middle Name) |
(Last Name) |
(Jr./Sr./III) |
7.The last four numbers of the other party’s Social Security Number are:
8.The other party’s mailing address is:
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Street)
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______________________ |
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(City) |
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(Telephone Number) |
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Petition for Child Custody – Page 1 of 5 |
Form |
This form is available for free at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov |
Service Information
Case Information
Form
9. The other party has signed a verified “Answer to Petition for Determination of Custody” which is being filed with this motion. Therefore, do not issue a
summons.
The other party should be served at his or her residence.
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Street)
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______________________ |
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(City) |
(State) |
(Zip) |
The other party should be served at his or her place of employment.
______________________________________________________ |
_______________________ |
(Employer’s Name - if applicable) |
(Hours of Employment) |
___________________________________________________________________________________
(Street)
_____________________________________ |
______________________ |
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(City) |
(State) |
(Zip) |
Service by publication. I don’t know where the other party is and I have no way of locating him or her. Therefore, I am requesting that he or she be served by publication. I have filed an Affidavit for Service by Publication and a Notice of Publication.
Other method of service: ____________________________________________________
10. The parent receiving support is not receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The parent receiving support is receiving TANF and therefore the State of Missouri must be served. Summons to issue to be served on:
Director, Family Support Division
615 Howerton Court
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
11.I am entitled to ask for custody because:
Paternity was acknowledged by both parties and father’s name appears on the birth certificate of each child listed in this petition. Copies of these birth certificates are attached to this petition.
An administrative order was entered that determined paternity. A copy of this administrative order is attached to this petition.
Father and Mother were married at the time of the birth of each child listed in this petition and there are no existing custody judgments.
Other __________________________________________________________
(Explain)
Petition for Child Custody – Page 2 of 5
This form is available for free at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov
Military Information
Employment Information
12. The other party is NOT on active duty in the United States military. The other party is on active duty in the United States military.
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I am |
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I am unemployed |
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I am employed at: |
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The other party is |
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The other party is unemployed |
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I don’t know the other party’s employment status |
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The other party is employed at: |
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Children’s Information
Form
15.There is/are ____________ child(ren) who is/are the subject of this proceeding as listed below.
Child’s Full Name |
Child’s Age |
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Petition for Child Custody – Page 3 of 5
This form is available for free at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov
Additional Information about the Children
Proposed
Parenting
Plan
Request for Relief
Form
16.State all addresses at which the children have resided during the past six months and the name of the person with whom said children resided.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
17.Do you know of anyone other than you or the other parent that has physical custody of any of the children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to any of the children?
Yes - State the name(s) and address(es) of these people in Paragraph 19. No
18.Do you have any information of any other custody proceeding concerning any of the children pending in a court of this or any other state?
Yes – Attach a copy of the petition or judgment from all other cases. No
19.Have you participated in any other litigation concerning the custody of any of the children in this or any other state?
Yes – Attach a copy of the petition or judgment from all other cases. No
20.Have any of the child(ren) been a victim of abuse or neglect?
Yes
No
21.If you answered “Yes” to questions 17, 18, 19 or 20 please explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
22.The custody arrangement that is in the best interests of the minor children is set forth in Part A of the attached parenting plan marked Exhibit 1. (You must attach a completed copy of Parenting Plan Form CAFC501 to this petition.)
THEREFORE, I want the court to enter a judgment concerning custody as per Part A of the attached parenting plan marked Exhibit 1.
I also request the following relief:
Child support should be set as set forth in Part B of the attached parenting plan marked Exhibit 1.
I am without sufficient funds to pay for my attorney and I request that the other party pay my attorney’s fees for this case.
Other (Please state the other requests)
_________________________________________________________________
Petition for Child Custody – Page 4 of 5
This form is available for free at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov
Petitioner, being of lawful age and duly sworn on his or her oath, states that he or she is the petitioner named above and that the facts stated in this Petition to Determine Child Custody are true according to his or her best knowledge and belief.
►__________________________________ |
__________________________________ |
SIGN HERE |
PRINT YOUR NAME HERE |
Subscribed and sworn to this ___________ day of __________________, 20____.
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Notary Public |
Sign this in front of a |
My Commission Expires: |
Notary Public |
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This should only be completed if a lawyer helped you with this form
ATTORNEY INFORMATION (To be completed by your attorney)
______________________________________________ |
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Attorney – SIGN HERE |
Missouri Bar Number |
_____________________________________________________________________
Attorney for Movant – PRINT YOUR NAME HERE
______________________________________________________________________________
(Street)
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(City) |
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(State) |
(Zip) |
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(Telephone Number) |
(Fax Number) |
(Email Address) |
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Do not enter any information here if you are filing this case without the assistance of a lawyer.
This information should be completed by your attorney.
I have assisted Petitioner in the preparation of these pleadings, but I am not entering my appearance on behalf of Petitioner.
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Petition for Child Custody – Page 5 of 5 |
Form |
This form is available for free at www.selfrepresent.mo.gov |