About Kayla

Kayla Welch founded Welch Law Office to focus on what first inspired her to become an attorney — helping children and families find stability, safety, and belonging. Her practice is dedicated to adoption, guardianship, and Guardian ad Litem representation, as well as simple estate planning and select family law matters involving child custody, support, and parent representation in juvenile cases.

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A long-time resident of mid-Missouri, Kayla graduated summa cum laude from Stephens College with a degree in Psychology and later earned a second summa cum laude degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana Wesleyan University. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to the Missouri Bar that same year.

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While in law school, Kayla participated in the Innocence Project Clinic, where she helped investigate appellate criminal cases on the grounds of actual innocence. She also served as an Associate Managing Editor for the Journal of Dispute Resolution and published her article, Restorative Justice: An Alternative Dispute Resolution Approach to Criminal Behavior. 

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Before becoming an attorney, Kayla spent more than five years volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system. That experience — working alongside family law attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, juvenile officers, and social workers — deepened her understanding of how to serve the best interests of children and help families in crisis.

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Since becoming a licensed attorney, Kayla has dedicated her career to the family and juvenile court systems. ​As an adoptee herself, Kayla brings a personal perspective to every case she handles. She understands the emotional and lasting impact family law decisions can have, and she approaches each matter with empathy, attention to detail, and creativity. Through the Welch Law Office, LLC, Kayla strives to provide thoughtful advocacy and meaningful solutions that protect and strengthen families at every stage and obtain the best outcome possible for each individual family.

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During her time in the legal field, Kayla has gained experience preparing financial agreements and settlements, child custody and support agreements, and adoption filings. Now, she works to help clients in matters involving adoption, minor guardianship, juvenile cases, adult guardianship and conservatorship, simple estate planning, and select family law cases, including divorce, modification, child custody, and child support.​