Lee's Summit Divorce & Custody Attorney
 

This factor directly supports Missouri’s strong public policy favoring frequent, continuing, and meaningful contact with both parents. It also examines each parent’s demonstrated willingness and ability to actually show up and parent — not just claim they want to. Here’s how some of history’s greatest strategy minds would approach this factor to help the court see it in your favor.

Missouri law (§ 452.375.2, RSMo) requires courts to determine custody and parenting time based on the best interests of the child, using these eight specific factors (plus any other relevant circumstances). In Jackson County family court, judges and Guardians ad Litem (GALs) weigh these factors carefully when deciding temporary orders, final custody, modifications, and enforcement actions. Over the coming posts, we’ll examine each factor through the lens of history’s greatest

In Missouri contested divorce and custody cases, especially in Jackson County, the court often orders mandatory mediation (Local Rule 68.12 and Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88). This is not optional — it is a required step for contested custody, parenting time, and related issues. Many parents enter mediation with a fighting mindset: “I must win,” “They’re the enemy,” “I have to protect myself at all costs.” That adversarial energy usually leads to impasse, escalation, and wor

In Missouri family law — especially high-conflict custody battles, modifications (§ 452.410), contempt enforcement, and alienation cases in Jackson County — the “terrain” is the 16th Judicial Circuit courtroom, the judge’s tendencies, the GAL’s perspective, the other parent’s patterns, and the emotional and financial landscape. Sun Bin’s teachings offer sharp, actionable wisdom for navigating this complex terrain and outmaneuvering a high-conflict ex without exhausting yourse