Marler Law Partners

06/23/2026

A parent's love for their child does not change because of their gender identity. And it shouldn't determine the outcome of a custody case either.

In Missouri, transgender parents can face real legal uncertainty. While Missouri courts apply the same "best interests of the child" standard to all families, case law specifically addressing a parent's gender transition in custody proceedings remains limited. Non-biological parents, including those in same-sex relationships, may also face additional hurdles in establishing parental rights if formal steps like second-parent adoption were never taken.

What this means practically is that transgender parents often need to be more proactive about protecting their legal relationship with their children, not because their parenting is in question, but because the legal framework has not always kept pace with the families it serves.

At Marler Law Partners, we believe every parent deserves representation that sees them fully and advocates for their family with both legal skill and genuine care.

If you have questions about parental rights, custody, or second-parent adoption in Missouri, we are here to help.

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

06/22/2026

06/21/2026

To every dad showing up for his kids: happy Father's Day.

To the fathers navigating custody arrangements and fighting to stay present in their children's lives. To the same-sex couples raising families with so much intention and love. To the stepfathers, the adoptive dads, the father figures who chose this role without being asked. To the single dads doing it all. Fatherhood takes many forms, and every one of them matters.

At Marler Law Partners, we work with families in some of their most difficult seasons. We see firsthand how deeply fathers love their children, and how much is at stake when that relationship needs protecting.

Wishing a meaningful Father's Day to all the dads in our community.

06/19/2026

On June 19, 1865, approximately 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered the news that all enslaved Black people were free.

It had been more than two years since the Emancipation Proclamation. The 13th Amendment had passed. The Civil War had ended. And still, freedom had to travel messenger by messenger, church by church, soldier by soldier before it reached the last holdout of the Confederacy.

That gap between what the law declared and what people actually experienced is not just history. It is a reminder that legal rights and lived reality do not always arrive at the same time.

At Marler Law Partners, we believe that the law should serve people, all people, with dignity and care. Juneteenth calls us to reflect on how far we have come and to stay honest about how far there is still to go.

Wishing everyone a meaningful Juneteenth.

Visit marlerlawpartners.com to learn more about who we are and how we serve our community.

06/18/2026

Erica S gave us a 5 star review on SoTellUs: "Well getting a divorce wasn't in my life plan but things change everyday! I was lucky enough to have found Marler Law in Farmington. I hired Erica Herbek and she was always so gracious and helpful. Anytime I had questions and issues Erica or her..."

https://sotellus.com/reviews/marler-law-partners/UvX0py9D/

06/17/2026

When someone goes through a traumatic experience, the visible injuries are rarely the whole story.

Missouri law recognizes that emotional harm is real and measurable. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep disruption, loss of enjoyment of life — these are legitimate consequences that can follow a person long after the physical wounds have healed. They affect how someone functions at work, how they connect with the people they love, how they move through their daily life.

At Marler Law Partners, we understand that a personal injury claim is never just about what happened to your body. The emotional and psychological toll is part of the picture too, and it deserves to be taken seriously in the legal process.

If you or someone you know is navigating a personal injury matter and needs a team that sees the full weight of what you are carrying, we are here.

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

06/15/2026

Erica Sallee gave us a 5 star review on Google: "Well getting a divorce wasn't in my life plan but things change everyday! I was lucky enough to have found Marler Law in Farmington. I hired Erica Herbek and she was always so gracious and helpful. Anytime I had questions and issues Erica or her..."

We appreciate Erica Sallee's 5-star review! Check out their detailed feedback and read many more reviews from our happy customers at Marler Law Partners.