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, and Crawford counties. Whether you're planning your estate, dealing with a criminal charge, going through a family law matter, recovering from a workplace injury, or have a question for your small business, we handle it right here close to home.
Legal Services We Provide To Our Community
Many firms focus on one area of law. Paul Schmanke and Michael Yenzer, provide a full service law firm to cover legal problems that come up for local families and businesses, whether that's a criminal charge, a trust and estate plan, or any other civil matters. Below is 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
Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for individuals and families, along with comprehensive estate planning. We also provide guidance on farm and business succession planning, helping local farmers and business owners across Gasconade, Osage, and Franklin counties protect their legacy for the next generation.
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.
Criminal Defense
Misdemeanor and felony charges, bond hearings, and probation violations. If you've been charged with a crime, call us to understand all your options on how to protect yourself.
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.
Workers' Compensation
Representation for employees injured on the job, including denied claims and disputes over the benefits owed to you.
Business & Corporate Law
Formation, on-going legal support, including contract disputes for local businesses and contractors in the region, as well as business succession and exit strategies for owners.
Real Estate Law
Acquisitions and sales, title issues, and boundary line and other real estate disputes for buyers, sellers, and property owners across the area.
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.
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.
Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, and honest guidance on what bankruptcy will and won't protect.
Probate & Estate Administration
Guidance through Franklin and Gasconade County probate court after a death, including contested probate matters when family members disagree.
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.
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, 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.
- 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, 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.
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?
Your case will be handled directly by the attorneys at Schmanke Law Firm and generally will work with the same attorney. Regardless of the attorney, you'll have consistent guidance and communication from the firm throughout your case.
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.