Stuart H. Goldenberg

Legal Concentration

Some time ago I had a Divorce case that is still the seminal case for “time limits” in Missouri. It involved child custody, child sexual abuse, domestic violence and marital rape. We had a 5 day trial that included nights and weekends. The matter was under submission for ruling for 18 months before the Judge finally ruled in our favor. My client won custody because I proved that the children were sexually abused. In a rare case I also proved my client (the mother) was the victim of domestic violence including marital rape. The father received supervised visitation through the Juvenile Court. When the children were old enough, they chose to terminate their contact with their father. Today they are adults, happy and well adjusted individuals.

In another case I was appointed by the Court to represent 4 little girls. The case had custody/visitation trials in both Divorce Court and Juvenile court. The father sought custody of the children because the mother had drug issues and was unfit to have custody. The maternal grandparents also sought custody. There were some complications with the Indian Rights Act because of the grandparents’ heritage. The Divorce Court ultimately kept the case. The Deputy Juvenile Offer and I (as Guardian Ad Litem for the Children) visited the father’s home while the children were staying there. I learned that the children were not properly cared for. The older child (12) had to wake up every hour or so to turn on the clothes dryer to heat the children’s bedroom. The girls were always hungry because the father did not or could not adequately feed them. Father also used a paddle to discipline the children. They each had their own paddle hanging on the wall. The breaking point in the case was when I had the youngest child, who was only 4 years old, testify about the father’s abuse and neglect. The older three children were too traumatized to testify. The grandparents were rightfully awarded custody. When the Judge issued his ruling there was not a dry eye in the Courtroom. The children were afforded the opportunity to grow up happy in a warm home with plenty of food and plenty of love.

I was involved in yet another Custody Modification matter where my client (the father) was incarcerated by a bogus Texas warrant for alleged nonsupport. The mother lived in Texas, the father in St. Louis City. They fought for custody over the 13 year old boy both in St. Louis City and Texas simultaneously. Eventually Missouri won jurisdiction. The mother was represented by an Assistant U.S. Attorney volunteering his time. The mother’s attorney had my client arrested on a bogus Texas warrant which was eventually quashed, but not until the father was wrongfully jailed. Additionally, this Assistant U.S. Attorney helped the mother kidnap the child and spirit him to Texas while the case was pending. The City Family Court Judge was livid over this and ordered the child to be returned to Missouri. After two days of trial involving jurisdiction and custody, the father prevailed.

Representative Clients

I represent clients in Family Law Matters including, but not limited to: Divorce, Child Custody / Visitation, Adoptions, Adult & Child Abuse matters, Child Support, Annulment, Domestic Violence, Enforcement of Decrees and Guardianships. Additionally, I handle Mediation, Collaborative Practice, Military Divorce Matters, Name Changes, Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements, Paternity Matters, Restraining Orders, Legal Separations, Spousal Support, Maintenance and Alimony Cases.