Legal Services

Areas of Practice

Family law touches every aspect of your life. Peggy Smalley provides experienced, compassionate representation across the full spectrum of family legal matters — so you have a trusted advocate no matter what you are facing.

Divorce & Separation

Thoughtful guidance through one of life's most difficult transitions.

  • Contested and uncontested divorce proceedings
  • Legal separation agreements
  • Division of marital assets and debts
  • Negotiation and mediation support
  • Collaborative divorce options

Ending a marriage is never easy — emotionally or legally. Peggy works to make the process as smooth as possible, protecting your interests while helping you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, she will guide you through every step.

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Child Custody & Visitation

Advocating for arrangements that put your children's well-being first.

  • Legal and physical custody arrangements
  • Parenting plan development
  • Visitation schedules and modifications
  • Relocation requests
  • Custody enforcement

When children are involved, the stakes couldn't be higher. Peggy approaches every custody matter with the children's best interests at the center — working to reach fair, stable arrangements that allow your kids to thrive, whether through negotiation or litigation.

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Child Support

Ensuring children receive the financial support they deserve.

  • Initial child support calculations
  • Support modification requests
  • Enforcement of support orders
  • Interstate support matters
  • Deviation from standard guidelines

Missouri child support guidelines exist to ensure children are provided for after a separation. Peggy helps clients establish fair support orders, pursue modifications when circumstances change, and enforce orders when the other party fails to comply.

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Adoption

Helping families grow through a process that is legally sound and deeply personal.

  • Stepparent and relative adoptions
  • Private domestic adoptions
  • Termination of parental rights
  • Adult adoptions
  • Post-adoption legal matters

Adoption is one of the most joyful events a family can experience — and one of the most legally complex. Peggy handles every aspect of the adoption process with care and precision, so you can focus on welcoming your new family member rather than navigating paperwork.

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Property Division

Fair and thorough division of marital assets and debts.

  • Identification and valuation of marital assets
  • Division of real estate and retirement accounts
  • Business interest division
  • Debt allocation
  • Prenuptial and postnuptial agreement review

Missouri is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly — though not always equally. Peggy works to ensure you receive your fair share of marital assets and that debts are allocated appropriately, protecting your financial future.

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Spousal Support & Alimony

Ensuring fair outcomes for both parties when it comes to maintenance.

  • Temporary and permanent maintenance
  • Modification of existing support orders
  • Termination of spousal support
  • Lump-sum vs. periodic payment structures
  • Tax implications of support arrangements

Spousal support — or maintenance — is designed to address economic imbalances that arise from a marriage. Whether you are seeking support or contesting an unreasonable request, Peggy provides honest counsel and strong advocacy to reach a fair outcome.

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Protective Orders

Swift, compassionate action to keep you and your loved ones safe.

  • Emergency and full protective orders
  • Orders of protection for domestic violence
  • Stalking and harassment orders
  • Modification and extension of existing orders
  • Defense against protective order petitions

When safety is at risk, time matters. Peggy acts quickly to help clients obtain protective orders that provide immediate legal protection. She handles these sensitive matters with the utmost discretion and compassion, ensuring you feel supported throughout the process.

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Paternity

Establishing legal parentage to protect the rights of parents and children.

  • Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity
  • Court-ordered paternity testing
  • Establishing parental rights and responsibilities
  • Paternity disestablishment
  • Father's rights representation

Establishing paternity is the foundation for child support, custody, and visitation rights. Peggy helps both mothers and fathers navigate paternity matters — ensuring that legal parentage is properly established and that both parents and children have the protections they deserve.

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Not Sure Where to Start?

Every family situation is unique. Schedule a confidential consultation and Peggy will help you understand exactly what area of law applies to your circumstances and what your options are.