Marler Law Partners

Marler Law Partners We are trauma-informed lawyers. We don’t “handle cases,” we represent real people. We believe in a person-centered approach to practicing law.

DWI, Criminal Defense, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Non-Support, Step-Parent Adoption, Adoption, Probate, Guardianship, and Appeals.

08/03/2026

Menopause doesn’t end marriages. But it can end a woman’s willingness to keep the peace at her own expense.

We see this in our office more than people would guess. A woman in her late 40s or 50s sits down and says some version of the same thing: I have been managing everyone else’s feelings for twenty years, and I don’t have it in me anymore.

That is not hormones making her unreasonable. That is her saying out loud what she has been quietly carrying for a long time.

Sometimes that conversation saves a marriage. Sometimes it ends one. Either way, she deserves to be taken seriously, not diagnosed.

If you are in that season right now: you are not losing it. You may be clearer than you have been in years.

We practice family law differently here. Trauma-informed, with real support built into the process.

When a new client hires Marler Law Partners, their first meeting is not with their attorney.It is with our Client Specia...
07/27/2026

When a new client hires Marler Law Partners, their first meeting is not with their attorney.

It is with our Client Specialist who is a trauma-trained therapist, and our Client Relationship Manager.

First we walk you through how to access your client portal and, perhaps more importantly, how to actually read your bill. We want to ensure clients fully understand what they are being charged for and why.

Then we walk you through the roadmap for a family law case. What to expect, what the process looks like, and what support is available along the way. The number of light bulbs that go off in that conversation is something we never take for granted.

Family law is not just paperwork. It is one of the most personal, emotionally demanding experiences a person can go through. We built our intake process around that reality because we believe you deserve to feel informed and supported from the very first day, not just when you are sitting across from a judge.

That is what it means to us to be a trauma-informed, person-centered firm.

Visit marlerlawpartners.com to learn more about how we work.

Most people associate marital agreements with prenuptials, something you do before the wedding. But postnuptial agreemen...
07/24/2026

Most people associate marital agreements with prenuptials, something you do before the wedding. But postnuptial agreements are becoming a much more common conversation, and for good reason.

A postnuptial agreement is a legal contract created after marriage that outlines how assets, debts, and financial responsibilities would be handled if the marriage were to end. Couples consider them for all kinds of reasons. A significant change in income, a new business, an inheritance, a period of financial strain, or simply a desire for more clarity and transparency between partners.

What makes a postnuptial agreement valuable is not that it signals trouble in a marriage. For many couples, it actually does the opposite. Putting financial expectations in writing can reduce tension, open honest conversations, and give both people a clearer sense of where they stand.

In Missouri, these agreements can address property division, spousal support, and debt allocation in ways that go beyond what the court would decide by default. To be enforceable, they need to be drafted carefully, with full financial disclosure and voluntary agreement from both parties.

At Marler Law Partners, we help couples navigate these conversations with care and without judgment. If you are curious about whether a postnuptial agreement makes sense for your family, we are happy to talk it through.

Visit marlerlawpartners.com to schedule a consultation.

"Best interests of the child" is a phrase that comes up in almost every custody case. But what does it actually mean in ...
07/20/2026

"Best interests of the child" is a phrase that comes up in almost every custody case. But what does it actually mean in practice?

In Missouri, courts use this standard to guide every decision about where a child lives, how parenting time is divided, and who makes decisions about their education, healthcare, and daily life. It is not a single factor. It is a full picture. Courts look at each parent's ability to provide stability and safety, the child's relationship with each parent, any history of abuse or domestic violence, the child's adjustment to their home and school, and in some cases, the child's own wishes depending on their age and maturity.

Missouri law does not favor mothers over fathers or fathers over mothers. What it favors is the arrangement that genuinely serves the child's well-being. For parents navigating this process, understanding what courts are actually weighing, and how to demonstrate your role in your child's life, matters enormously.

At Marler Law Partners, we take the time to understand your family's full story before we ever walk into a courtroom. We are here to make sure your voice is heard and your child's needs stay at the center of everything.

If you have questions about custody in Missouri, we would love to talk. Visit marlerlawpartners.com to get in touch with our team.

Summer is supposed to be the easy part. But for co-parents, it can bring a whole new set of pressure points.School-year ...
07/17/2026

Summer is supposed to be the easy part. But for co-parents, it can bring a whole new set of pressure points.

School-year routines disappear, schedules shift, and small misunderstandings about pickup times, camps, or vacation plans can escalate quickly when there is no structure holding things together. A little planning before summer starts goes a long way.

Finalizing your summer schedule early, putting all communication in writing, building in flexibility for last-minute changes, and keeping your children's experience at the center of every decision are all practical steps that reduce friction before it starts. Co-parenting apps can also help by creating a clear, documented record of conversations and agreements.

When conflict does come up, the goal is not to win. It is to protect your kids from being caught in the middle of it.

At Marler Law Partners, we help parents navigate custody arrangements with clarity and care, whether that means reviewing your parenting plan, addressing a violation, or modifying an agreement that no longer fits your family's needs.

We are here when you need us. Visit marlerlawpartners.com to learn more.

When a divorce case closes, most lawyers close the file.For a lot of firms, that is where the relationship ends. The pap...
07/15/2026

When a divorce case closes, most lawyers close the file.

For a lot of firms, that is where the relationship ends. The paperwork is done, the order is signed, and you are on your own to figure out what comes next.

At Marler Law Partners, we see it differently. The legal process ending does not mean your questions stop. Custody arrangements shift as children grow. Circumstances change. Agreements that made sense two years ago sometimes need revisiting. Life after divorce is not static, and the support you need should not be either.

We stay connected to our clients because we genuinely care about what happens to them after the case is closed, not just during it. That is what it means to us to be a trauma-informed, person-centered firm.

If you are navigating life after divorce and need guidance on what comes next, we are still here.

Call us or visit marlerlawpartners.com to connect with our team.

People often use the words "divorce" and "legal separation" as if they mean the same thing. In Missouri, they do not.The...
07/13/2026

People often use the words "divorce" and "legal separation" as if they mean the same thing. In Missouri, they do not.

The core difference is this: divorce legally ends your marriage, and legal separation does not. But both allow you to divide assets and debt, live apart, and establish court orders around custody and child support. The practical day-to-day structure of your life can look very similar under either option.

Where they diverge is in what comes after. With divorce, the marriage is over and both parties are free to remarry. With legal separation, you remain legally married. Some families choose that path for religious reasons. Others want to preserve health insurance coverage, or simply need more time before making a final decision.

Both options involve real legal processes and real consequences. Understanding which one fits your situation, your finances, and your family's needs is worth taking seriously before moving forward.

At Marler Law Partners, we take the time to understand your full picture before offering guidance. There is no one-size-fits-all answer here, and we would never treat it like there is.

If you have questions about your options, we are here to help you think it through.

Reach out at marlerlawpartners.com to schedule a consultation.

A client once described her first meeting with us as "therapeutic."That is not something most people expect to say about...
07/10/2026

A client once described her first meeting with us as "therapeutic."

That is not something most people expect to say about a law office. And honestly, that is exactly the point.

Divorce is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can go through. The legal process alone can feel cold and transactional at a time when you are already carrying so much. At Marler Law Partners, we made a deliberate choice to do it differently. Our trauma-informed approach means we are paying attention to more than just the facts of your case. We are paying attention to you.

If you have been putting off reaching out because you are not sure what to expect, we want you to know that a conversation with us will feel different.

Schedule a consultation at marlerlawpartners.com and see for yourself.

The emotional weight of divorce is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged. So does the financial side, which often cat...
07/08/2026

The emotional weight of divorce is real, and it deserves to be acknowledged. So does the financial side, which often catches people off guard when they are already stretched thin.

Missouri is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly, though not always equally. Before that process begins, understanding your full financial picture matters. Gathering bank statements, tax returns, retirement account information, records of debts and assets, and documentation of your monthly expenses gives you a clearer foundation to work from and helps your attorney advocate more effectively on your behalf.

Monitoring your credit, and building a realistic post-divorce budget are also steps worth taking early. Not because divorce has to be adversarial, but because protecting yourself financially is simply good preparation.

At Marler Law Partners, we walk alongside our clients through every part of this process, including the parts that feel overwhelming. We want you to feel informed, supported, and ready for what comes next.

Visit marlerlawpartners.com to learn more about how we can support your family.

A custody order is not a suggestion. It is a legally binding court order, and when the other parent repeatedly ignores i...
07/06/2026

A custody order is not a suggestion. It is a legally binding court order, and when the other parent repeatedly ignores it, the impact falls on your child just as much as it falls on you.

Custody violations in Missouri can take many forms. Missing scheduled pickups, returning your child late, withholding parenting time, or taking your child out of state without permission are all serious breaches of a court order. When this happens, documenting everything matters. Dates, times, what was said, what was missed. That record becomes important if you need to return to court.

Missouri courts take violations seriously. Depending on the circumstances, a parent who repeatedly disregards a custody order can face contempt proceedings, fines, or modifications to the existing arrangement.

At Marler Law Partners, we understand how exhausting and emotionally draining it is to fight for time with your child. You should not have to do it alone.

If your custody order is being violated, we are here to help you understand your options and take the right next steps.

Visit marlerlawpartners.com to learn more about how we can help your family.

Address

10805 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 210
St. Louis, MO
63127

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13149261944

Website

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