Mo. Rev. Stat. § 487.120
In the event that there is an immediate need to hear a case falling outside the exclusive original jurisdiction of the family court, and no other judge of the circuit is available to hear the matter, the presiding judge may assign a judge of the family court division of the proper venue to hear such matter, subject to split venue and other provisions of law.
(L. 1993 H.B. 346 § 8)