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Backed by 120+ Years Collective Experience | Certified Mediators on Staff | Guardian ad Litem on Team | Local Columbia Office
Gump, Faiella & Bugalski | Columbia Office: 1000 W. Nifong, Bldg 2, Suite 220B | 573- 818-2646
Custody disputes, divorce, and property division carry consequences that last for years. In Columbia and across Boone County, the attorney you choose needs to know both Missouri family law and the local courts where your case will be heard.
Gump, Faiella & Bugalski brings a dedicated family law team to Columbia, backed by the resources and experience of a firm with five attorneys practicing family law across two offices. Our Columbia attorneys are supported by certified mediators, in-house QDRO drafting, and colleagues who have handled the full range of Missouri family law cases. We take the complex, contested cases that other firms decline, and we bring the preparation to see them through negotiation, mediation, or trial.
Our Columbia office at 1000 W. Nifong Blvd is staffed by attorneys who live and practice here. This is not a satellite office managed from out of town. When you call, you reach our team. When you meet, you sit across from your attorney.
Every family law situation is different. A custody dispute involving relocation looks nothing like dividing a retirement portfolio in a 30-year marriage. The legal strategies, court procedures, and negotiation approaches are entirely different, and your attorney needs to know the difference.
Below are the family law services we handle from our Columbia office.
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Jordan Hudspith and Benjamin Brammeier lead our Columbia family law practice from our W. Nifong Blvd. office. Jordan is a certified family law mediator and Guardian ad Litem with a track record in complex custody litigation. Ben brings disciplined preparation to every divorce, custody, and property division case he handles.
Behind them is the full depth of Gump, Faiella & Bugalski: four attorneys practicing family law, two certified mediators, in-house QDRO capability, and decades of experience in contested cases across Central Missouri. That bench means Jordan and Ben can draw on real case knowledge and strategic insight when your situation demands it.
You will always know your attorney by name, and they will know the details of your situation without needing to pull the file. But when your case requires additional firepower, you have a full team behind you.
There are family law cases in Boone County that get turned down repeatedly before clients find us.
These are the cases we want. Complex litigation requires attorneys who are willing to prepare for trial and, when necessary, actually try the case.
We have two certified mediators within the firm. Our managing member is licensed to mediate all civil case types, not just family law, which brings a broader perspective to settlement discussions. Our Columbia office attorney is certified specifically in family law mediation and also serves as a Guardian ad Litem, representing children’s best interests in contested custody proceedings. Having mediators on staff means we can assess early in your case whether mediation is likely to produce a better outcome than litigation, and we can move quickly when it is.
Dividing retirement accounts in a divorce requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, a specialized legal document that most family law attorneys refer to outside counsel or third-party services.
Our managing member drafts QDROs in-house. That eliminates the delays, miscommunication, and added cost of involving another firm or vendor in one of the most technical and financially significant parts of your divorce.
This is particularly important in silver divorces and high-asset cases where retirement accounts often represent the largest marital asset.
Our Columbia office is located at 1000 W. Nifong Blvd, Building 2, Suite 220B. Our Columbia attorneys live in the area. Jordan Hudspith resides in Ashland. Benjamin Brammeier lives in Columbia. They practice regularly in Boone County courts and are members of the Boone County Bar Association.
This is not a firm parachuting in from Kansas City or St. Louis. We are here, and we are part of this community.
Jordan focuses her practice on divorce, child custody, high-asset divorce, and mediation from our Columbia office. She is a certified mediator and certified Guardian ad Litem, representing children's best interests in contested custody proceedings. Jordan is admitted to practice in Missouri and Alabama and before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Ben dedicates his practice to family law, combining strategic advocacy with compassionate counsel. Earning his J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law, Ben is a member of the Missouri Bar Association. As a Columbia resident, he brings local knowledge of the Boone County court system to every case.
Our Columbia office attorneys are backed by the full resources of Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, including:
Cassie J. Carpenter Bugalski, Managing Member, leads the firm’s family law practice with a focus on high-asset divorce, complex property division, and custody litigation. She is a licensed mediator for all civil case types and drafts QDROs in-house. View Full Bio
Adrienne Tregnago Spiller, Member, handles family law cases that intersect with criminal defense, including orders of protection, contested adoptions, and third-party custody claims. She is experienced in cases where family law and criminal law overlap. View Full Bio
If you are filing for divorce or a custody action in Columbia, your case will be heard in the Boone County Circuit Court, part of Missouri’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Understanding a few fundamentals of Missouri family law can help you make better decisions before and during your case.
That means marital property is divided fairly based on the circumstances of the marriage, but not necessarily split 50/50. The court considers factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, and each spouse's contributions to the acquisition of marital property (RSMo § 452.330).
Missouri courts evaluate several factors under RSMo § 452.375, including each parent's wishes, the child's relationship with each parent, the child's adjustment to home and school, and the mental and physical health of all parties involved.
To file for divorce in Missouri, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for 90 days (RSMo § 452.305). For custody jurisdiction, Missouri generally must be the child's "home state," meaning the child has lived here for at least six consecutive months.
Missouri law requires a minimum 30-day waiting period between the filing of a dissolution petition and the entry of a final judgment. Uncontested cases with full agreement can move through relatively quickly after that period. Contested cases, particularly those involving custody disputes or complex property, can take several months to over a year, depending on court scheduling and the issues involved.
In dissolution cases involving minor children, Missouri courts require both parents to complete a parenting education program. This is typically an in-person class, though online options may be available by court order.
Our Columbia office serves clients throughout Boone County and the surrounding Mid-Missouri area, including Ashland, Hallsville, Centralia, and Harrisburg.
We also maintain our primary office at 110 North Fifth Street, Moberly, MO 65270, where our managing member and additional attorneys are based. Call 660-263-3100 for our Moberly office.
Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC 1000 W. Nifong, Blvd Building 2, Suite 220B Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573-818-2646
Toll Free: 800-264-3455
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9 AM – 12 PM, 1 – 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 12 PM, 1 – 4 PM
Family law cases vary significantly in cost depending on complexity. At Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, we begin with a paid consultation so we can evaluate your situation and give you a realistic picture of what your case involves. We work on a retainer-based fee structure, which is standard for family law. During your consultation, we will discuss anticipated costs based on the specifics of your case.
Missouri courts use the “best interests of the child” standard outlined in RSMo § 452.375. The court considers each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to home and school, each parent’s willingness to foster the child’s relationship with the other parent, and other relevant factors. There is no automatic preference for either parent based on gender.
Legal custody refers to the authority to make major decisions about a child’s education, healthcare, and welfare. Physical custody determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. Missouri courts can award joint or sole custody for each type independently. Joint legal custody is common; physical custody arrangements vary based on each family’s circumstances.
Missouri requires a minimum 30-day waiting period after filing (RSMo § 452.305). An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms can sometimes be finalized within 60 to 90 days. A contested divorce involving disputes over custody, property division, or support can take six months to well over a year, depending on the complexity and court scheduling.
A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is a legal order that directs a retirement plan administrator to divide retirement benefits between divorcing spouses. If your divorce involves any employer-sponsored retirement account, such as a 401(k) or pension, you will likely need one. Our managing member drafts QDROs in-house, which avoids the delays and added costs of referring this work to a third party.
Missouri follows equitable distribution under RSMo § 452.330. The court divides marital property fairly based on factors including each spouse’s contributions, the length of the marriage, and each party’s economic circumstances. “Equitable” does not mean “equal.” Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage or received as gifts or inheritance, is generally not subject to division unless it has been commingled with marital assets.
Yes. We have two certified mediators on staff. Mediation is often a faster, less expensive, and less adversarial path to resolving family law disputes, particularly in cases involving co-parenting arrangements where both parties will need to work together going forward. Our attorneys can advise you on whether mediation is a good fit for your situation.
Bring any existing court orders or legal documents related to your case, recent financial records (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements), your marriage certificate if applicable, and a written timeline of key events. Having your questions written down in advance will also help you make the most of the consultation.
Family law situations are rarely simple, and they are never easy. Whether you are preparing for a custody dispute, considering divorce, or trying to understand how Missouri law affects your rights, the first step is a conversation with an attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and explain your options clearly.
Call our Columbia office at 573-818-2646 or request a consultation online.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every family law case involves unique circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, contact Gump, Faiella & Bugalski at 573-818-2646
