Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.420: Proceedings to be heard by circuit judge — exception.

All proceedings authorized in chapter 452 to be maintained in circuit court shall be heard by circuit judges, except that said proceedings may be heard by an associate circuit judge if he is assigned to hear such case or class of cases or if he is transferred to hear such case or class of cases pursuant to other provisions of law or Section 6 of Article V of the Constitution.