Paul's services

• Criminal Defense
• Traffic Violations
• DWI
• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Family Law

As a divorce attorney in Union, MO, we generally see two kinds of cases: the kind both spouses can agree on, and the kind they can't. An uncontested divorce, where both sides agree on property, support, and custody terms, can move through Franklin County Circuit Court fairly quickly. A contested case takes longer, particularly once custody or significant assets are on the table, and that's exactly where having local representation starts to pay off.

We handle the filing itself, negotiate with the other side, and prepare every case as though it might end up in front of a judge, because sometimes it does. Dividing property, sorting out spousal support, and untangling shared debt are the issues that come up most often, and we try to get ahead of them early rather than scrambling once a hearing date is already set.

Missouri calculates child support using a state guideline formula that weighs both parents' income, the parenting time schedule, and a handful of other factors most people have never had to think about before. Getting the inputs right matters, because a support order based on the wrong numbers tends to cause problems for years afterward.

Being Missouri’s local child support lawyer, we help clients understand what a fair support calculation looks like given their situation, whether that means pursuing support, defending against an inflated request, or making sure a self-employed or commission-based income is represented accurately.

Our experience in Franklin County courts as a Franklin family lawyer helps us understand the local procedures and process, from how filings move through the clerk's office to what a given hearing schedule tends to look like. Union is our main office at 301 East Main Street, and we also see clients by appointment in Owensville, so families on either side of the county aren't stuck driving further than they need to.

As a Missouri family law attorney, Paul keeps his caseload at a level where clients can actually reach him directly, not just a case manager. That's a deliberate choice, and it's one of the more common reasons clients say they chose us over a larger firm.

As a full-service Franklin County law office, our Union location covers the firm's complete range of practice areas, though our two attorneys generally focus on different parts of the caseload. Paul handles family law and criminal defense, both of which mean regular appearances in Franklin County courts. Michael covers estate planning, probate, real estate, workers' compensation, bankruptcy, and business law, several of which can often move forward without frequent court travel.

Whatever brought you to this page, there's a good chance this office is the right starting point. Divorce and custody matters, a pending criminal charge, an estate that needs settling, or a workers' comp claim that's stalled out all come through the same building on East Main Street.

Being a few steps from the courthouse isn't just a convenience, it shapes how we prepare cases. Filing deadlines, hearing schedules, and the everyday rhythm of Franklin County Circuit Court are things our attorneys deal with regularly, not occasionally.

We also keep this office accessible. Clients can reach their attorney directly rather than working through layers of staff, whether you're here for a straightforward real estate closing or a drawn-out custody dispute.

At its core, a will directs where your property goes after you pass away and names an executor to carry that out. If you have minor children, it also lets you name a guardian — one of the more important things a will does, and one people sometimes overlook. Without a will, Missouri's intestate succession laws decide who inherits, and that default outcome doesn't always match what someone would have wanted. A will doesn't avoid probate: assets that pass through a will still generally go through Franklin County Probate Court, though a clear, valid will tends to make that process faster and less contentious.

We start by understanding your family situation and what you actually want to happen, rather than starting from a generic template — naming an executor and guardian, deciding how to handle specific bequests, and making sure the document is executed the way Missouri law requires so it isn't vulnerable to a later challenge. We also review and update existing wills when circumstances change: a new marriage, a new child, a move to Missouri from another state, or simply a will that hasn't been looked at in a decade.

A revocable living trust is the type we set up most often. You keep control of the assets you place in it during your lifetime, and you can change or revoke it as circumstances change. When you pass away, assets held in the trust can generally transfer to your beneficiaries without going through probate, which is often the main reason people choose one.

We draft the trust document itself and also help with funding it — actually retitling assets like real estate or financial accounts into the trust's name. A trust that's never properly funded doesn't accomplish what it's meant to, so that step matters as much as the document.

A will and a trust aren't mutually exclusive, and most people with a trust still need a will alongside it — often a simple pour-over will that catches anything left outside the trust. The bigger question is usually whether a trust is worth the added complexity and upfront cost compared to a will alone.

We walk through that comparison directly with clients rather than defaulting to whichever document is more involved to draft.

A financial power of attorney lets someone you choose — your agent — handle financial matters on your behalf if you're unable to, things like paying bills, managing accounts, or handling property. A durable power of attorney stays in effect even if you later become incapacitated, which is generally the version that makes sense for estate planning purposes rather than a limited or non-durable one.

Choosing the right agent matters as much as the document itself. We talk through who actually makes sense for that role with each client, since it isn't always the obvious choice.

If you become unable to make decisions and haven't named anyone through a power of attorney, your family may have to petition the court for guardianship or conservatorship to get the legal authority to act on your behalf. That process takes time and costs more than having the documents in place beforehand — right at a moment when a family is usually already dealing with enough.

Missouri's workers' compensation system is meant to be no-fault, meaning you don't have to prove your employer did anything wrong to get medical treatment and wage benefits covered after a work injury. In practice, insurance carriers still look for reasons to pay less than they should, whether that's disputing how the injury happened or arguing it isn't as serious as it is.

We help clients file the initial claim correctly, deal with the insurance adjuster, and push back when the carrier isn't covering what it should. Getting this part right early tends to make the rest of the claim go more smoothly.

Depending on how serious a work injury is, benefits can include temporary payments while you're recovering or longer-term compensation if you're left with a permanent limitation. Getting the right disability rating matters, because it directly affects how much a claim is ultimately worth.

We work with clients to make sure medical evaluations reflect the real extent of an injury, and we push back when an insurance-selected doctor's rating doesn't match what a client is actually experiencing.

Not every work injury needs an attorney right away, especially if the claim is moving forward without issue. But a few situations are worth a call sooner rather than later: your claim has been denied or disputed, you've been offered a settlement and aren't sure whether it reflects what the injury is actually worth, the injury looks like it will have lasting effects, or your employer has responded to your claim in a way that feels retaliatory.

Reaching out early doesn't commit you to anything. It just means someone is looking out for your side of the claim before decisions get made that are hard to undo later.

When a work injury claim is holding up your paycheck, one of the worst positions to be in is not being able to get anyone on the phone. At larger firms, clients are often handed off to a case manager or paralegal for most of the process, and the attorney only steps in once decisions have already been made.

That's not how Michael runs his workers' compensation cases. He keeps his caseload at a level where clients can call and actually reach him, ask questions as they come up, and get a straight answer about where their claim stands.

Sometimes a child needs a legal guardian other than a parent, whether that's because a parent has passed away, is unable to care for the child, or a family member has stepped in informally and needs the legal authority to match. We help family members petition for guardianship of a minor and represent them through the court process.

We also help guardians understand their ongoing responsibilities once guardianship is granted, since it isn't usually a one-time filing and done.

Some situations can't wait for a standard filing timeline, like a sudden medical crisis where a family member urgently needs someone with legal authority to make decisions. Missouri courts allow for emergency or temporary guardianship in these situations, and we move quickly when a case genuinely calls for it.

Missouri sorts misdemeanors into four classes based on the maximum possible jail time and fine. A Class A misdemeanor carries up to a year in jail and a fine up to $2,000, and covers offenses like fourth-degree assault or repeat low-level drug possession. Class B and Class C misdemeanors carry shorter maximum jail terms and smaller fines, and Class D misdemeanors are fine-only, with no jail time at all.

We regularly handle charges like minor in possession, first-time low-level drug possession, low-value theft, and certain traffic and assault charges. Where a specific charge falls depends on the facts and, in some cases, a person's prior record.

If you're facing a misdemeanor charge in or around Union, you want an attorney who knows how these cases actually move through Franklin County courts. Paul handles criminal defense day in and day out, from first appearance through resolution, and he's the one you'll be working with directly on your case.

He appears regularly in Franklin County courts and nearby jurisdictions, so he knows the judges, prosecutors, and local practices. He focuses on criminal defense, DWI, and traffic matters, not a little bit of everything. You get direct access to your attorney, not just a paralegal or intake person, and he explains your options in plain language.

Missouri sorts felonies into five classes based on the maximum possible prison sentence. Class A felonies, the most serious, carry a sentence of at least ten years up to life in prison. Class B felonies carry five to fifteen years, Class C felonies carry three to ten years and a fine up to $10,000, Class D felonies carry up to seven years and a fine up to $10,000, and Class E felonies, the least serious felony category, carry four years or less.

We handle a range of felony matters, including serious drug charges, repeat DWI offenses, certain theft and burglary charges, and other felony-level offenses. Which class applies to a given case depends heavily on the specific facts and, often, a person's prior record.

We start by digging into how the case was built: the stop or search that led to the arrest, how evidence was gathered and handled, and whether the charge itself matches the facts. From there, we work toward the best realistic outcome, whether that's a negotiated reduction, a favorable plea, or taking the case to trial when that's what the situation calls for.

Franklin County still has a lot of families with farmland or other property that's been passed down for generations, and estate planning here often means more than a simple will. Michael works with Franklin County families on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate, including planning around family farms and land that families want to keep intact for the next generation rather than see split up or sold to cover taxes.

As a Franklin County estate planning attorney, Michael talks through what actually makes sense for a family's property and goals, whether that's a straightforward will or a trust built specifically around keeping land in the family.

Family law cases in Missouri are tied to the county where they're filed, and for most of our clients that means Franklin County Circuit Court in Union. Divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases typically move through the same courthouse no matter which Franklin County community you live in, which is a big part of why local experience matters in this practice area specifically.

Paul leads our family law practice as a Franklin County family law attorney, appearing in Franklin County Circuit Court regularly rather than occasionally.

It usually comes down to what kind of situation you're dealing with. Michael handles estate planning, probate, workers' compensation, and guardianship matters. Paul handles family law and criminal defense cases. If you're still not sure after that, just call the office and describe what's going on, and we'll point you to the right person.

Union is our main office and the hub for Franklin County cases. We also see clients by appointment in Owensville for those closer to Gasconade County.

Osage County still has a lot of families with farmland or other property that's been passed down for generations, and estate planning here often means more than a simple will. Michael works with Osage County families on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate, including planning around family farms and land that families want to keep intact for the next generation rather than see split up or sold to cover taxes.

As an Osage County estate planning attorney, Michael talks through what actually makes sense for a family's property and goals, whether that's a straightforward will or a trust built specifically around keeping land in the family.

Family law cases in Missouri are tied to the county where they're filed, and for most of our clients that means Osage County Circuit Court in Linn. Divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases typically move through the same courthouse no matter which Osage County community you live in, which is a big part of why local experience matters in this practice area specifically.

Paul leads our family law practice as an Osage County family law attorney, appearing in Osage County Circuit Court regularly rather than occasionally.

It usually comes down to what kind of situation you're dealing with. Michael handles estate planning, probate, workers' compensation, and guardianship matters. Paul handles family law and criminal defense cases. If you're still not sure after that, just call the office and describe what's going on, and we'll point you to the right person.

Union is our main office and the hub for Franklin County and regional cases. We also see clients by appointment in Owensville for those closer to Gasconade and eastern Osage County.

Maries County still has a lot of families with farmland, timber, and other property that's been passed down for generations, and estate planning here often means more than a simple will. Michael handles estate planning and probate matters for Maries County clients, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and settling an estate through probate court. These matters typically involve less frequent court travel, which is part of why we're able to serve Maries County clients regularly for this work.

As a Maries County estate planning attorney, Michael talks through what actually makes sense for a family's property and goals, whether that's a straightforward will or a trust built specifically around keeping land and family assets intact for the next generation.

Family law cases in Missouri are tied to the county where they're filed, and for most of our clients that means Maries County Circuit Court in Vienna. Divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases typically move through the same courthouse no matter which Maries County community you live in, which is a big part of why local experience matters in this practice area specifically.

Paul leads our family law practice as a Maries County family law attorney. If you're dealing with a family law matter in Maries County, call and we'll let you know honestly how we can help.

It usually comes down to what kind of situation you're dealing with. Michael handles estate planning, probate, workers' compensation, and guardianship matters. Paul handles family law and criminal defense cases. If you're still not sure after that, just call the office and describe what's going on, and we'll point you to the right person.

Union is our main office and the hub for Franklin County and regional cases. We also see clients by appointment in Owensville for those closer to Gasconade County and eastern Osage County, and we meet with Maries County clients at whichever location makes the most sense for their situation.

Gasconade County still has a lot of families with farmland, vineyards, and other property that's been passed down for generations, and estate planning here often means more than a simple will. Michael handles estate planning and probate matters for Gasconade County clients, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and settling an estate through probate court. These matters typically involve less frequent court travel, which is part of why we're able to serve Gasconade County clients regularly for this work.

As a Gasconade County estate planning attorney, Michael talks through what actually makes sense for a family's property and goals, whether that's a straightforward will or a trust built specifically around keeping land and family assets intact for the next generation.

Family law cases in Missouri are tied to the county where they're filed, and for most of our clients that means Gasconade County Circuit Court in Hermann. Divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases typically move through the same courthouse no matter which Gasconade County community you live in, which is a big part of why local experience matters in this practice area specifically.

Paul leads our family law practice as a Gasconade County family law attorney. If you're dealing with a family law matter in Gasconade County, call and we'll let you know honestly how we can help.

It usually comes down to what kind of situation you're dealing with. Michael handles estate planning, probate, workers' compensation, and guardianship matters. Paul handles family law and criminal defense cases. If you're still not sure after that, just call the office and describe what's going on, and we'll point you to the right person.

Our Owensville office serves Gasconade County by appointment. If you're closer to Owensville than Union, that's usually the more convenient starting point, though you'll be working with the same attorneys either way.