Effective - 28 Aug 1989
211.251. Modification of court orders. — 1. A decree of the juvenile court made under the provisions of section 211.181 may be modified at any time on the court's own motion.
2. The juvenile officer, the parent, guardian, legal custodian, spouse, relative or next friend of a child committed to the custody of an institution or agency may, at any time, petition the court for a modification of the order of custody. The court may deny the petition without hearing or may, in its discretion, conduct a hearing upon the issues raised and may make any orders relative to the issues as it deems proper.
3. The authority of the juvenile court to modify a decree is subject to the provisions of chapter 219.
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(L. 1957 p. 642 § 211.250, A.L. 1989 H.B. 502, et al.)
1955) Where parent seeks modification of court's order after finding that children were neglected and award of custody of children to himself, his morals are to be considered and burden is on him to show benefit to children. Dansker v. Dansker (A.), 279 S.W.2d 505.
(1955) Motion of minor children by their natural parents to modify judgments finding them abandoned children and awarding their custody to third persons, should be granted where natural parents were fit persons to have custody and able to care for them. State v. Pogue (A.), 282 S.W.2d 582.
(1956) Adjudication by juvenile court that child was a neglected child under the juvenile court law does not permanently deprive parent of the right to custody and in adoption case court must find willful abandonment or neglect to provide proper care for one year before parent's consent to adoption is unnecessary. In re Slaughter (A.), 290 S.W.2d 408.
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XII - Public Health and Welfare
Section 211.011 - Purpose of law — how construed.
Section 211.021 - Definitions.
Section 211.023 - Juvenile court commissioner, appointment, where, term, compensation.
Section 211.037 - Nonoffending parent, child returned to custody of, when.
Section 211.051 - Jurisdiction as to custody of child not exclusive.
Section 211.069 - Citation of law.
Section 211.085 - Court may order work in restitution for child — child not an employee.
Section 211.101 - Issuance of summons — notice — temporary custody of child — subpoenas.
Section 211.111 - Summons, how served.
Section 211.121 - Failure to respond to summons, contempt — warrant for custodian of child.
Section 211.132 - Parent, guardian may be made party to proceeding.
Section 211.135 - Appearance of child in court, when.
Section 211.151 - Places of detention — photographing and fingerprinting, restrictions.
Section 211.156 - Care and detention of certain children by county, contribution by state, when.
Section 211.161 - Court may require physical or mental examination — costs paid by county.
Section 211.177 - Grandparent's right to intervene in action, restrictions, termination.
Section 211.180 - Family preservation screenings, conducted when, results.
Section 211.188 - Court may order work for restitution — not an employee.
Section 211.202 - Mentally disordered children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.203 - Developmentally disabled children, evaluation — disposition — review by court.
Section 211.221 - Religion considered in placing child.
Section 211.251 - Modification of court orders.
Section 211.271 - Court orders not to affect civil rights — not evidence, exception.
Section 211.281 - Costs how adjudged, collected.
Section 211.311 - Clerk of circuit court to act for juvenile court.
Section 211.319 - Juvenile court records and proceedings, abuse and neglect cases, procedure.
Section 211.341 - Detention facilities, how provided — government (third and fourth class counties).
Section 211.343 - Detention facilities, standards and rules for operation.
Section 211.355 - Missouri state juvenile justice advisory board, members, report.
Section 211.381 - Compensation of juvenile court personnel — expenses — salary adjustments.
Section 211.382 - Professionals retained by juvenile court, when.
Section 211.401 - Duties of juvenile officers — may make arrests — cooperation.
Section 211.411 - Law enforcement officials to assist and cooperate with juvenile officers.
Section 211.421 - Endangering the welfare of a child or interfering with orders of court.
Section 211.431 - Violation of law, class A misdemeanor.
Section 211.442 - Definitions.
Section 211.443 - Construction of sections 211.442 to 211.487.
Section 211.444 - Termination of parental rights, when.
Section 211.453 - Service of summons, how made — when required — waiver of summons.
Section 211.487 - Application of sections 211.442 to 211.487 — what law to govern.
Section 211.500 - Establishment of regional juvenile detention districts, when.