Best Family Lawyer in Saint Louis
Jennifer R. Piper
Family Lawyer
Jennifer R. Piper attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a B.A. in political science, she then went on to receive her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law.
As an attorney, Jennifer has been distinguished by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as a Rising Star, Up and Coming Lawyer; she has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2017-2023 in the practice area of Family Law. Ms. Piper also recently received a Woman’s Justice Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2019 and recognized by Missouri Super Lawyers for 2021-2023.
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Kathleen E. Shaul
Family Lawyer
As a leading St. Louis family law firm, we know that the delivery of premier legal services is made possible only by the talent and dedication of our staff. It is our goal to provide prompt, professional, and courteous service from your initial consultation all the way through to the resolution of your case.
Kathleen E. Shaul concentrates her practice exclusively on family law with an emphasis on divorce litigation. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Shaul taught high school English in Chicago. She is a certified Guardian ad Litem and is passionate about children’s issues.
Divorce, child custody, and other family law matters have profound and lasting impacts on you and your family relationships. Let us help you protect yourself and those you love while meeting your needs and goals.
We also service in the following areas:
• Chesterfield
• Lake St. Louis
• Clayton
• Laude
• Creve Coeur
• University City
• Frontenac
• Swansea Illinois
Joseph A. Sepcter
Family Lawyer
Joseph A. Specter graduated from Drake Law School in 2011. While at Drake, he worked in the Neal & Bea Smith Legal Clinic providing criminal defense to low income clients. Subsequent to his experience at the Legal Clinic, he spent time working at the Public Defender’s Office in St. Louis County where he furthered his knowledge and experience as a criminal defense attorney. Joseph A. Specter received his undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Joseph A. Specter was born and raised in St. Louis. He is one of six children. When he is not fighting for his clients he enjoys watching Cardinals baseball, NFL football, traveling, and spending time with his family.
“St. Louis will always be my home. It is a great city with great people. I am committed to making sure the people in and around St. Louis get the representation they deserve. Everyone needs someone on their side fighting for their rights. That’s where I come in.”
William Grant
Family Lawyer
Lawyer William Grant brings more than 35 years of experience to the table. As one of the area’s leading attorneys in family law and juvenile law, his accomplishments include:
- The St. Louis County Family Court Award as the Distinguished Guardian Ad Litem of the Year
- Selected by his peers as a Missouri Super Lawyer every year since 2013
- Criminal defense attorney representative on the St. Louis County Domestic and Family Violence Council
- St. Louis County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award (2012)
A tireless advocate for children, Mr. Grant has served as a guardian ad litem (court-appointed advocate for children) for more than 35 years. He has also maintained a high level of civic involvement in various professional and nonprofit organizations, most recently as a board member of Caring for Kids, a Missouri-based nonprofit.
Jack Cavanagh
Family Lawyer
Attorney Jack Cavanagh is a veteran attorney with over 50 years of legal experience. This includes involvement in hundreds of judge and jury trials. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a skilled and dedicated legal professional. His practice is based on a foundation that includes a range of legal experience, which includes time as a former prosecutor and personal injury attorney. His aggressive counsel and commitment to addressing his clients’ concerns with the fullest extent of his abilities has led to outstanding case results even in the most complex and challenging legal matters.
Today, Attorney Cavanagh focuses his legal practice primarily on divorce and family law, criminal defense, and business and corporate law. From his offices in St. Louis, he represents people in St. Charles, Chesterfield, and across the surrounding areas in Missouri.
Cavanagh earned his undergraduate degree and law degree from St. Louis University, beginning his legal career in 1962. The following year, he became an assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County.
After working as a prosecutor for 4 years, Jack went into private practice in Clayton, Missouri. Over the decades, he has represented clients in a range of legal matters. He has represented individuals, businesses, and organizations by providing legal counseling and advice as well as representation inside and outside of the courtroom in the areas of family law, civil litigation, bankruptcy, criminal law, and business law. He has also represented several municipalities as a City Attorney and Municipal Prosecutor.
Ann Bauer
Family Lawyer
Ann Bauer is a founding member of The Center for Family Law. Ann attended law school after more than 15 years working with parents and children in early childhood education. She practices exclusively in the area of family law. She is a certified family law Mediator and trained in collaborative law, as a Guardian ad Litem, and as a Parenting Coordinator.
Ann was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has lived in Chicago and Dallas. She moved to St. Louis in 1983 and currently resides in St. Louis with her husband. She is the parent of two adult children and two grandchildren. When she is not in the office, you can find her testing out a new recipe in her kitchen while marathon-listening to a new true crime podcast.
Stephen J. Bardol
Family Lawyer
I met with my first client on the couch of my old apartment. The apartment was cheap and gross. I was just out of law school. I graduated from law school during one of the worst legal markets in history. Jobs were scarce and the ones that were available were not very good and did not allow me to get into the courtroom.
I always wanted to represent people with real problems, not review paperwork for businesses trying to add to the bottom line. I decided to start my own firm…in my gross apartment.
That client I met with ended up retaining me as his attorney. He had a custody case and wanted to fight for the right to be involved in his son’s life. He didn’t have much money, but I didn’t have much experience. It seemed like a fair deal.
What I did have were motivation and fearlessness. I worked my butt off trying to figure out what I was doing. I worked late every night. I woke up early every morning. I researched the case law. I developed mentors. I called law school friends to ask questions. I attended continuing education conferences.
It was hard. Hard is actually an understatement. Starting a firm from scratch is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Many attorneys that take that road don’t last a year in business.
I signed more clients. I made a name for myself. I started trying a lot of cases. You don’t become a good trial attorney sitting on the sidelines watching others practice law. I became very good through “trial and error.” Pun intended. I picked up an award or two. My practice has been built one brick at a time. I don’t tolerate mistakes. I research my cases. I return my clients’ phone calls. I work really hard.
Oh, and that first case I retained….it turned into a three-day trial. And we won. My client now has joint custody of his son.
Neil Smith
Family Lawyer
My name is Neil Smith and I’m a full time divorce and family law attorney based in St. Louis County (Clayton), Missouri. I reside in St. Louis with my wife, children, and two dogs. In my spare time I coach youth sports, volunteer with mock trial teams, exercise, and travel.
My firm represents Missouri residents in on a wide range of issues from divorce, custody, spousal support, trial and mediation. But I’ve also handled a variety of other cases including winning large federal class action lawsuits and international arbitrations against some of the largest corporations in the world. I’ve provided legal analysis to many news sources including Missouri Lawyers Weekly, the St. Louis Daily Record, The Countian, Fox 2 (St. Louis), KSDK (St. Louis), NBC KY3 (Springfield, Missouri), and KOLR 10 (Springfield).
Prior to becoming an attorney, I earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and law degree from Loyola University New Orleans. During law school, I worked at the Internal Revenue Service and clerked for two law firms. As an undergraduate, I was a member of the Honor’s College an held an executive role in the student government.
Important Note: the choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based on advertising alone.
The Benefits of Pre-Marital Agreements for St. Louis Couples
Pre-marital agreements, often referred to as prenuptial agreements or “prenups,” offer several benefits for couples in St. Louis who are planning to marry. These legal agreements help define the financial expectations and responsibilities of each partner before entering into marriage, providing clarity and protection for both parties. Here are the key benefits of pre-marital agreements for St. Louis couples:
1. Clarification of Financial Expectations
- Transparency: A pre-marital agreement encourages open communication about finances, helping both partners understand each other’s financial situation, including assets, debts, and income. This transparency can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts later in the marriage.
- Defined Roles: The agreement can outline how financial responsibilities will be handled during the marriage, such as who will pay for what expenses, how joint accounts will be managed, and how financial decisions will be made.
2. Protection of Individual Assets
- Safeguarding Personal Property: A prenup can protect assets that each partner brings into the marriage, ensuring that personal property, family heirlooms, or business interests remain with the original owner in the event of a divorce.
- Debt Protection: The agreement can also shield one partner from the other’s debts, preventing creditors from going after the other spouse’s assets in case of financial difficulties.
3. Simplifying Divorce Proceedings
- Avoiding Costly Litigation: In the unfortunate event of a divorce, a pre-marital agreement can simplify the process by clearly outlining the division of assets and spousal support. This can reduce the need for lengthy and expensive court battles.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that there is a plan in place can provide peace of mind for both parties, reducing stress and uncertainty during a difficult time.
4. Protection of Family Assets
- Inheritance Protection: For couples with children from previous relationships, a pre-marital agreement can ensure that specific assets are preserved for their biological children, safeguarding inheritance rights and avoiding disputes.
- Business Ownership: If one partner owns a business, the agreement can protect the business from being divided in a divorce, ensuring that ownership and control remain intact.
5. Customization for Specific Needs
- Tailored Agreements: Prenups are highly customizable and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of the couple. This includes provisions for future financial arrangements, such as how property acquired during the marriage will be divided, or how retirement accounts will be handled.
- Flexibility: The agreement can include specific terms that address the couple’s concerns, such as alimony or spousal support, in a way that aligns with their values and expectations.
6. Strengthening the Relationship
- Building Trust: The process of creating a pre-marital agreement requires honest communication about financial matters, which can strengthen trust and foster a deeper understanding between partners.
- Reducing Uncertainty: By addressing potential financial issues upfront, couples can enter into marriage with a clear understanding of each other’s expectations, reducing the likelihood of financial conflicts in the future.
7. Legal Recognition in Missouri
- Enforceability: In Missouri, pre-marital agreements are legally recognized and enforceable as long as they meet certain requirements, such as being entered into voluntarily and with full disclosure of assets. This legal recognition provides additional assurance that the terms of the agreement will be upheld in court.
- Legal Guidance: Couples in St. Louis can benefit from working with experienced family law attorneys to ensure that their pre-marital agreement is legally sound and addresses all relevant issues.
Conclusion
Pre-marital agreements offer numerous benefits for St. Louis couples, including financial clarity, protection of assets, and the simplification of divorce proceedings. By addressing potential financial issues before marriage, couples can build a stronger foundation for their relationship and enjoy greater peace of mind. Working with legal professionals to create a tailored and enforceable agreement can help ensure that both partners’ interests are protected.