Legal Question in Technology Law in Missouri

This is more of a technical than a legal question:

Verizon only retains text messages for 3-5 days on the central server. Typically cell phones retain text messages on a first in first out basis, so messages are retained on the customer's cell phone, and may be on there for a longer or shorter period depending on the characteristics of the phone and how many text messages have been sent-received.

All these types of legal services are obtained through compliance centers:

Verizon's compliance center contact info:

Contact Number 1-888-483-2600 Fax Number 325-949-6916

Verizon Legal Compliance

Custodian of Record

TXD01613

P.O. Box 1001

San Angelo, TX 76902

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For what is required procedurally (what you can do about your domestic situation and what is legally necessary to obtain access to that data-evidence in Missouri) you should contact an attorney licensed in Missouri.

IT Forensics can do a forensic recovery of a cell phone's contents and report that information. You or your attorney would have to attest under oath that you are the rightful possessor of the cell phone, or have authority to use-obtain information from the device from the rightful possessor, or provide a copy of a court order to direct the recovery.