Your marriage just isn’t working out, or you and your child’s other parent can’t agree on what’s best for them. On top of these changes to your closest relationships, the court might get involved in decisions that used to be private. Our firm’s approach is twofold: first, to help put you back in control; and second, to help you achieve the best outcome in your family law matter, so you can move forward with your life.

- Divorce: we help couples come to a resolution at the end of their legal relationship, whether through negotiation, or in the courtroom.
- Child Custody: we want the best for your child, and your family. We’ll skillfully represent you and your child’s best interests with strategic guidance.
- Orders of Protection: when your well-being and safety are threatened, we’re there to help protect you and your family.
- Guardianship: We assist families in establishing legal guardianship to ensure a child or vulnerable adult has the care, stability, and protection they need.
- Adoption: We guide individuals and families through the adoption process, handling the legal steps so you can focus on welcoming your new family member.

Marriage is not just a legal relationship; it’s a financial and emotional one. Divorce involves all of those aspects, too. We listen to your story and your needs, explains how the law applies to your situation, and helps you create a roadmap to achieve your goals. Divorce is never easy, but our compassionate family law team empowers you by helping you know what to expect and giving you the information you need to make good decisions.

The divorce process involves dividing your assets, and may involve establishing alimony (or, as it’s called in Missouri, “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance”). In most divorces, spouses are able to reach a settlement on these and other issues, and the divorce does not have to go to trial. Settlement is preferable because it allows you, not a judge, to set the terms of your divorce, and you also avoid the expense of a trial.

That said, your divorce settlement sets the tone for your future, and it’s something you will have to live with for a long time. Many people are tempted to rush into settlement just to have the divorce behind them, but that is usually a mistake. Our family law attorneys are  effective negotiators who will help ensure that the terms of your divorce settlement are favorable to you, and that you understand all your rights and obligations.

In the unlikely event that you are unable to reach settlement, Lauren Graham is also an experienced litigator, and leads a family law team who can protect your interests if your divorce must go to trial.

If you are a parent ending a marriage or relationship, the well-being of your children is one of your biggest concerns. Where will your children live? How much time will you get to spend with them? Who will make important decisions about their health, education, and religion? And how will child support work?

Child custody in both Missouri and Arkansas is decided based on “the best interests of the child.” There are two types of child custody: physical custody, which means which parent a child lives with; and legal custody, meaning who gets to make important decisions for the child. Often, custody is joint, so that both parents share in important parenting decisions (in Missouri, joint custody is presumed to be in the best interests of the child). Child support is based on a complex formula involving the parents’ relative incomes and the amount of time the child spends in each of their homes.

The family law attorneys at The Graham Law Firm will work to make sure your children’s needs are prioritized, and that your relationship with them is preserved and strengthened.

Children deserve the love and support of both parents. In particular, a biological father has the duty to support his child. It may be necessary to legally establish paternity in order to put in place an order for child support, so that the child can receive the financial support they deserve. Our family law team represents both mothers and fathers in Arkansas and Missouri paternity actions.

When the parents are unable to care for the child, a guardian must be appointed to be legally responsible for the child. A parent may voluntarily allow a guardian to be appointed for their child, or an interested person can petition the court for guardianship if they believe the parent is not fit to care for the child. As with custody matters, Arkansas and Missouri courts decide guardianship cases based on what is in the best interests of the child.

Adoption in Arkansas and Missouri can be a joyful but detailed legal process. Each state has its own rules, timelines, and requirements, whether you’re a stepparent adopting a stepchild, a grandparent seeking to provide a permanent home, or a family pursuing a private, agency, or interstate adoption. Both states require background checks, home studies in many cases, and a final court hearing before the adoption is legally complete.

We help families navigate every step: filing the right documents, meeting state-specific deadlines, preparing for hearings, and ensuring all Arkansas or Missouri legal requirements are met. Our goal is to handle the legal details so you can focus on what truly matters: providing a safe, loving, and permanent home for your child.