Schmanke Law
Franklin County, Missouri Attorneys
Trusted Attorneys in Union, MO,
Serving Families and Businesses
Schmanke Law is a law firm based in Union, MO, with a second office in Owensville, serving Franklin County and the surrounding communities of Gasconade, Osage, Maries, and Crawford counties. Whether you're planning your estate, dealing with a criminal charge, recovering from a workplace injury, or have a question for your small business, we handle it right here at home.
Legal Services We Provide Throughout The Community
Many firms focus on one area of law. Paul Schmanke built this one, and Michael Yenzer later joined the practice, to cover the legal problems that actually come up for families and businesses here at home, whether that's a criminal charge, a trust and estate plan, or passing a farm down to the next generation. Here's the full range of what we handle. If you're unsure about your situation, call anyway. We'll be happy to help or point you in the right direction.
What We Handle
Estate Planning & Elder Law
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for individuals and families, along with the planning that protects an aging parent's care and assets. We also handle farm succession and agricultural estate planning, helping landowners across Gasconade, Maries, and Franklin counties keep property in the family for the next generation.
Probate & Estate Administration
Guidance through Franklin County probate court after a death, including contested probate matters when family members disagree.
Workers' Compensation
Representation for employees injured on the job, including denied claims and disputes over the benefits owed to you.
Guardianships, Adoptions & Name Changes
Guidance through the guardianship process for an aging parent or family member who can no longer make decisions on their own, along with support for adoptions and legal name changes from start to finish.
Business & Corporate Law
Succession planning and ongoing legal support for small and family-owned businesses in the region, from the agreements that keep a business running to the plans that carry it into the next generation.
Landlord Services
Contracts, leases, and evictions for landlords and property owners across the region. We help you put the right agreements in place and handle disputes when they come up.
Traffic Violations
Speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, and license suspension issues. In many cases, we're able to resolve a citation without requiring you to appear in court.
DWI Defense
DWI and DUI stops move fast, from the arrest itself to license suspension deadlines. We work to protect your driving privileges and your record starting with your first call.
Criminal Defense
Misdemeanor and felony charges, bond hearings, and probation violations. These matters tend to move fast, and waiting to call an attorney usually costs you options rather than buying you time.
Personal Injury
Car accidents, truck accidents, and injuries caused by someone else's negligence. We help you understand what your case is actually worth before you agree to anything with an insurance company.
Real Estate Law
Closings, title issues, and real estate disputes for buyers, sellers, and property owners across the area.
Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, and honest guidance on what bankruptcy will and won't protect.
Family Law
We handle divorce, child custody, and child support matters, along with modifications to orders already in place. Because demand for family law services is high, initial consultations may take a few weeks to schedule, so it's worth calling early to get on the calendar.
A Local Law Firm Built on Relationships, Not Volume
Schmanke Law is based in Union, Missouri, with a second office in Owensville available by appointment. Paul Schmanke founded the firm on a simple idea: legal help in a small community should feel like working with someone you actually know, not a call center that happens to have a law degree attached. Michael Yenzer later joined the practice, adding a focus on estate planning, business matters, and family planning.
As Franklin County attorneys, we also serve the surrounding area, including Gasconade, Osage, Maries, and Crawford counties. That local footprint matters more than people expect. Court staff recognize us. Local prosecutors and opposing counsel know how we handle a case. And because we're not managing clients across three states, when you call, you're usually talking to the attorney actually working on your file.
We cover a wide range of legal matters, but we don't treat any of them as a commodity. A criminal charge and a family's estate plan get the same level of attention, just different expertise applied to each one.
Meet the Attorneys at Schmanke Law
Paul Schmanke
Paul focuses on criminal defense, DWI, and traffic matters, and also represents families in divorce, child custody, and support cases. He has extensive experience helping individuals and families navigate some of life's most challenging legal situations, providing practical guidance and strong advocacy every step of the way. Whether you're facing a criminal allegation or a family dispute, Paul is committed to protecting your rights and working toward the best possible outcome.
If you're dealing with a traffic offense, a DWI, a criminal charge, or a divorce, custody, or support matter, Paul is likely the attorney you'll be working with. As the attorney behind many of the firm's criminal defense and family court cases, he takes a compassionate yet strategic approach, ensuring clients understand their options and feel supported throughout the legal process.
Michael Yenzer
Michael focuses on estate planning for individuals and families, including wills, trusts, and farm and business succession, along with probate, guardianships, and real estate. He also advises small and family-owned businesses on contracts, leases, and everyday legal questions. Whether you're planning your estate, setting up a trust, protecting an aging parent, or planning for your family's future, he provides practical legal guidance tailored to your specific needs. His goal is to help clients make informed decisions while protecting their personal and business interests.
If your legal question involves an estate plan, a trust, a probate or guardianship, real estate, or a small business matter, Michael is likely the attorney you'll work with. He takes a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every case, ensuring clients understand each step of the process and feel confident as they move forward toward the best possible outcome.
Why Families & Businesses Choose Schmanke Law
- Two offices, one point of contactUnion is our main office, and Owensville is available by appointment. Either way, you're working directly with the attorney handling your matter, not a rotating team of associates.
- Payment plans that fit real budgetsLegal fees add stress on top of an already stressful situation. We're willing to talk through a payment arrangement that works for you rather than asking for everything up front.
- Straight answers, not sales pitchesWe'll tell you what we actually think your case is worth, including when the honest answer isn't the one you were hoping to hear.
Hear From the Clients We've Helped
We'd rather let the people we've represented do the talking. Here's what clients have said about working with Schmanke Law.
Michael got our LLC set up quickly and explained the paperwork in plain English instead of legal jargon.
Paul walked me through every step of my custody case and never made me feel like just another file on his desk.
Common Questions About Working With Schmanke Law
Where do you practice?
We're based in Union, Missouri, with a second office in Owensville by appointment. We work with clients throughout Franklin County and the surrounding area, including Gasconade, Osage, Maries, and Crawford counties.
Do I have to come to your office, or can we talk by phone first?
Call us at (573) 677-5020 and we'll figure out the best way to handle your first conversation. Owensville is appointment-only, so if that's the more convenient location for you, let us know when you reach out.
Will I have to appear in court for a traffic ticket?
In many cases, we're able to resolve a citation without requiring you to appear in court. It depends on the charge and the county, so the best way to know for sure is to call and talk through your specific ticket.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We know legal fees add stress on top of an already stressful situation, so we're willing to talk through a payment arrangement that fits your budget rather than asking for everything up front.
What if my legal issue isn't one of the practice areas listed on your site?
Call anyway. Between family law, criminal defense, business matters, and everything in between, there's a good chance we've handled something close to your situation, or we can point you to someone who has.
Will I be working with the same attorney the whole time?
Yes. You'll work directly with the attorney handling your case, either Paul Schmanke or Michael Yenzer, not a rotating team of associates.
Whether you're facing a criminal charge, going through a divorce, or have a legal question for your business, the sooner you talk to an attorney, the more options you usually have. Call us at (573) 677-5020, or fill out the short form below and we'll get back to you.
About the firm
Lawyers from here, for people from here.
Paul Schmanke and Michael Yenzer bring experience, dedication and personal
attention to every case, backed by a legal assistant on every file.
Meet the Attorneys at Schmanke Law
Two attorneys with deep roots in East Central Missouri.
Both raised in the counties they practice in — Paul near the Franklin and Gasconade county line, Michael in Franklin County, where his family has lived for more than five generations.
Meet Paul Schmanke
Paul's goals are simple: sound, timely legal advice with a true appreciation for the unique needs of each person he has the privilege of representing.
Paul Schmanke
Being raised near the Franklin and Gasconade county line between Gerald and Rosebud gave Paul a distinct appreciation for the broad legal needs of the people who proudly call East Central Missouri home.
After graduating from Owensville High School in 1995 with numerous honors, Paul earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Missouri in 1999, playing football for the Missouri Tigers under head coach Larry Smith and helping the Tigers end a fourteen-year bowl drought. He worked as a commercial real estate agent and small business owner in Topeka, Kansas, before returning home in 2007 to teach United States government and American history at Owensville High School, where he also served as head football coach from 2008 to 2011.
Alongside a master's degree in school administration from Missouri Baptist University, Paul earned his juris doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2016. Since opening Schmanke Law Office that same year he has built criminal jury trial experience alongside extensive civil litigation, representing thousands of clients across a multitude of criminal and civil matters.
Missouri Baptist University, M.Ed., School Administration
University of Missouri, B.S. Education 1999
Owensville High School, 1995
Paul's services
- Criminal Defense
- Traffic Violations
- DWI
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
- Family Law
Meet Michael Yenzer
Michael focuses on estate planning for individuals and families, workers' compensation, and guardianships, and also advises small and family-owned businesses on succession planning.
Michael Yenzer
Michael was born and raised in Franklin County and graduated from Union High School in 2011. With his family calling Franklin County home for more than five generations, he has always had a strong connection to the community and an understanding of the people who live and work here.
He earned a degree in business administration with a focus in finance from the University of Missouri in 2016, then a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2020 along with a certificate in tax and transactional law. Before returning home, Michael advised clients on acquisitions, real estate development, financing, contracts, and employment matters, experience he now brings to individuals, families, and small and family-owned businesses close to home.
Back in his hometown, Michael focuses on estate planning for individuals and families, trust and farm succession planning, probate, and real estate, while also advising small and family-owned businesses on contracts and everyday legal matters. He brings a business-minded perspective to his clients' legal issues while staying grounded in the values of the community where he grew up.
Certificate in Tax & Transactional Law
University of Missouri, B.S. Business Administration, Finance 2016
Union High School, 2011
Michael's services
- Estate Planning
- Workers' Compensation
- Guardianships
- Probate
- Personal Injury
- Trusts
- Family Planning
- Farm Succession
- Small Business Advising
- Contracts
- Leases
- Landlord Representation
- Evictions
Legal assistants
Every file has a named assistant, so you are never explaining your matter from the beginning when you call.
Tell us what happened. We'll tell you what's likely next.
Complimentary initial consultation, by phone or across the table.
Frequently asked
The questions we hear most.
Consultations, fees, payment options and what to bring the first time we meet. If your question isn't here, call and ask.
Before you call
Straight answers about cost, scheduling and what happens next.
The Schmanke Law Office understands how the cost of an attorney can add to the stress of a legal issue. We're willing to discuss a customiced strategy for paying your legal fees and expenses, and to answer any question you have about the cost of being represented.
Consultations
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call our office directly, or submit a request through the contact form on this site. Our team will promptly help you arrange a convenient time to meet with one of our attorneys.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes. Our firm provides complimentary consultations so you can receive preliminary legal guidance and determine the best path forward without any financial commitment.
What should I bring to my first meeting?
Bring yourself, and any documents related to your legal matter. If your case involves criminal charges, be sure to bring any tickets, summons or charging documents you have received.
What can I expect during my first consultation?
We'll gather the facts of your case, discuss the legal issues involved and review potential outcomes. We'll also explain our fee structure and take the time to answer any questions you have.
Will I be working directly with an attorney?
Yes. Schmanke Law Office prides itself on service, and we work to give every client a good experience with our attorneys.
Fees and payment
How do your fees work? Do you charge hourly or flat rates?
It depends on the nature and complexity of your case. Some matters are handled on a flat-fee basis, others are billed hourly. During your consultation we'll discuss your specific legal needs and give you a clear explanation of all potential costs before any work begins.
What are the payment options?
We accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover, and we're willing to discuss a customiced strategy for timely payment of your legal fees and expenses.
All credit card transactions include a 2.75% processing fee per swiped transaction and a 3.5% processing fee per keyed-in transaction.
Your matter
I just got served with papers — now what?
Being served with legal documents can be stressful. Contact Schmanke Law Office as soon as possible so we can review the papers, make sure you understand the deadlines involved, and begin preparing your response.
Can you represent me outside Franklin or Gasconade County?
Yes. While our firm is based in Franklin and Gasconade counties, we handle cases outside these areas on a case-by-case basis. This can be discussed in detail during your initial consultation.
Still not sure?
If your question isn't answered here, call the office and ask. There's no charge for the initial conversation, and if the matter is one you can handle yourself we'll say so.
Ask us directly.
Call the office, or send a confidential message and one of our attorneys will reach out promptly.
Contact us
One of our attorneys will reach out promptly. Located in Union and Owensville, Missouri, serving the surrounding areas. Fill out the confidential form, or simply call the office.
Send a message
Please fill out the confidential form below.
One of our attorneys will reach out promptly to discuss your legal needs. There's no charge for the initial consultation.
Our offices
Located in Union and Owensville, Missouri, serving the surrounding areas.
How to reach us
Family Law Attorney in Union, MO
Schmanke Law Firm represents Franklin County families in divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases, with offices in Union and Owensville. If you're staring down a divorce you didn't ask for, or a custody arrangement that stopped working years ago, the first conversation is free.
Family Law Attorney in Union, MO
Schmanke Law Firm represents Franklin County families in divorce, child custody, child support, and post-decree modification cases, with offices in Union and Owensville. Whether you're just starting to weigh your options or you're already in the middle of a contested case, this page walks through what each of those cases typically involves and how our firm can help.
Paul leads our family law practice, and Franklin County courts are where he spends most of his time as a Missouri family law attorney. Our experience in Franklin County courts helps us understand the local procedures and process, and that day-to-day familiarity shapes how we advise clients from the first conversation.
If you're staring down a divorce you didn't ask for, or a custody arrangement that stopped working years ago, and you need an attorney in Union, MO, the first conversation is free. Bring your questions and we'll walk through what your options actually look like.
Divorce
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.
Child Custody & Parenting Time
As a child custody attorney working primarily in Franklin County, we see cases that separate legal custody, meaning who makes decisions about school, medical care, and upbringing, from physical custody, meaning where the child actually lives day to day. Most cases here end up somewhere in between full and shared arrangements, shaped by a parenting plan both sides can actually live with.
We draft parenting plans that hold up, represent clients in contested custody hearings, and help parents figure out realistic parenting time schedules before a dispute forces the issue. If you and the other parent are on reasonably good terms, we can often get a plan finalized without much conflict. If not, we prepare the case as if it's going to trial from day one.
Child Support
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.
Post-Decree Modifications
A custody order or support amount that made sense five years ago doesn't always fit the family it was written for anymore. Jobs change, kids grow older, one parent moves, or an order simply isn't being followed. Missouri allows both custody and support modifications when there's been a substantial change in circumstances, and we handle those cases just as often as we handle new filings.
Common reasons clients come to us for a modification include a parent relocating out of the area, a change in either parent's income, or an existing order that the other parent has stopped honoring.
Why Franklin County Families Work With Us
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 , 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child custody decided in Missouri?
Missouri courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing factors like each parent's living situation, the child's relationship with each parent, and any history of abuse or neglect. There's no automatic preference for one parent over the other. Judges in Franklin County tend to favor arrangements that keep both parents meaningfully involved wherever that's realistic.
Do I have to go to court for my divorce?
Not necessarily. If you and your spouse can agree on the major terms, an uncontested divorce usually involves far less court time than people expect. When an agreement isn't possible, we prepare your case fully and represent you at every hearing, including trial if it comes to that.
How long does a divorce take in Franklin County?
With our extensive experience as a Franklin County divorce attorney, we know that Missouri requires a 30-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, but most cases take longer than that in practice. An uncontested case might wrap up in a couple of months. A contested case involving custody or complex assets can take considerably longer, and we'll give you a realistic timeline once we understand the specifics of your situation.
What if my ex isn't following our custody order?
You have options, ranging from a contempt filing to a modification request if circumstances have genuinely changed. What makes sense depends on what's actually happening and how it's affecting your kids. That's a conversation worth having with an attorney before you decide how to respond.
Do you handle family law cases outside Union, like in Owensville or elsewhere in Franklin County?
Yes. We see clients at our Union office regularly and by appointment in Owensville, and we represent families throughout Franklin County, including Washington, New Haven, and Pacific.
Attorneys in Union, Missouri
Our Union law office sits a few blocks from the Franklin County Courthouse, right on East Main Street.
Attorneys in Union, Missouri
Our Union law office sits a few blocks from the Franklin County Courthouse, right on East Main Street. Union has been the Franklin County seat since 1827, and that courthouse proximity is a big part of why this location handles the bulk of the firm's caseload.
This page covers what our office, as an attorney in Union, MO, handles day to day: the practice areas covered here, the communities we regularly serve beyond Union itself, and how to reach us. If you're weighing this location against our Owensville office, the short answer is that Union is our main office, open to walk-in and scheduled clients alike, while Owensville operates by appointment only.
Legal Services Available at Our Union Office
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 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.
Communities We Serve From Union
Being centrally located in Union puts this office within easy reach of most of Franklin County. Along with Union itself, we regularly work with clients from Washington, St. Clair, Sullivan, Pacific, Gerald, and New Haven. If your matter needs to go through Franklin County Circuit Court, this office is usually the right starting point no matter which of those towns you're calling from.
Visit Our Union Office
Two Offices, One Firm
Our Owensville office operates by appointment only and primarily supports clients in Gasconade County. If you're closer to Hermann, Rosebud, or Bland, an appointment there may be more convenient than driving into Union. Either way, you're working with the same firm and the same attorneys, just meeting at a different location.
Why Franklin County Clients Choose Our Union Office
Being a few blocks 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.