Missouri law says pregnant women can’t get divorced:
As it stands, Missouri judges cannot legally finalize a divorce if a woman is pregnant. Three other states have similar laws: Texas, Arizona and Arkansas. While a couple can still file for divorce in Missouri, the court must wait until after a woman gives birth in order to finalize child custody and child support.
When it comes to domestic violence, there are no exceptions.
Roger Wm. Bennett The same was true in Indiana, I think, when last I touched a divorce case. At least the Judge’s Bench Book included asking if the wife was pregnant; the decree always included a finding that she wasn’t. I assumed an affirmative answer would trigger a rule against needless bastardy.
annie's micro(b)log @pratik My understanding: legal separation/physical separation can happen but no finalization of divorce while woman is pregnant. Certainly there’s a lot a woman can do, depending on what resources she has, to distance herself from the spouse prior to finalized divorce.
But the whole concept is based on the idea of 1) children as property and 2) the woman’s status as the holder of that property (child-bearer) outweighing her status as an autonomous and individual human with full rights.
In the year of our lord 2024, WTF.
Child support to my understanding is based on proof of paternity which doesn’t depend on marital status.
Ridwan Jaafar //When it comes to domestic violence, there are no exceptions.// This is pretty scary. Even if the couple are allowed to be separated, I’m concerned about the safety of the victim. Does the State guarantee protection? Can the victim get a restraining order at least?
Nitin Khanna @ReaderJohn “needless bastardy”. Wow. That’s a phrase I’ve never read in my entire life.
Roger Wm. Bennett @ridwan In Indiana, a restraining order would not be difficult to get, were one not already in effect.
annie's micro(b)log @ReaderJohn @nitinkhanna Wow, yeah, that’s quite the holdover.
annie's micro(b)log @JohnBrady What a sad story. Unfortunately I think there are many situations where the legalities can easily be manipulated by whoever has access to more resources (i.e. money). @ridwan @ReaderJohn