Welcome to Welch Law Office, LLC

Why I Started Welch Law Office: A Practice Built for Children and Families

When I founded Welch Law Office, I wanted to return to the reason I became an attorney in the first place — to help children and families find stability, safety, and belonging. Every family has a story, and every child deserves a foundation they can depend on. My goal is to provide the legal support that makes that possible.

My practice focuses on adoption, guardianship, Guardian ad Litem representation, and select family law matters involving custody, support, and parent representation in juvenile court. I also help individuals plan for the future through simple estate planning. Whether a family is growing through adoption, navigating crisis in juvenile court, or making decisions about a child’s long-term care, I want to be a steady, informed advocate they can trust. At Welch Law Office, LLC, we aim to provide everything your family needs, at every stage of life.

My Professional Path to Family and Juvenile Law

I’ve lived in mid-Missouri for all of my adult life, and this community has shaped both my personal and professional journey. I graduated summa cum laude from Stephens College with a degree in Psychology, and later earned another summa cum laude degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana Wesleyan University. I received my Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri, Columbia, School of Law, and was admitted to the Missouri Bar that same year.

During law school, I worked in the Innocence Project Clinic, helping investigate appellate criminal cases involving claims of actual innocence. I also served as an Associate Managing Editor for the Journal of Dispute Resolution and published an article exploring restorative justice as an alternative approach to criminal behavior. Throughout my law school career, I worked as a law clerk for a local family law firm, exploring the area of law that originally inspired me to become an attorney.

But it was my years before law school that truly set the foundation for my work today.

For more than five years, I volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), standing beside children in the foster care system and advocating for their best interests. I worked closely with family law attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, juvenile officers, and social workers — and saw firsthand how the legal system impacts the lives of children and families in crisis. Those experiences strengthened my commitment to family law and taught me the importance of compassion, consistency, and informed advocacy for children and families.

A Personal Perspective

However, at the root of each of my professional choices is my own personal background. As an adoptee myself, I bring a deeply personal understanding to the families I serve. I know how meaningful it is when a child finds permanence, safety, and a true sense of home. I also understand the emotional weight that decisions in family law can carry — and how lasting their impact can be. My priority is always to support families in a way that both protects their rights and considers their unique circumstances, finding the best solutions for each family.

How I Serve Families Today

Throughout my legal career, my work has been heavily focused on traditional family law, such as divorce, child custody and support, and enforcement proceedings. I’ve prepared custody agreements, support arrangements, and financial settlements. I have worked hard to expand my focus into related matters such as adoptions, guardianship, juvenile court representation, and simple estate planning. Today, my practice focuses almost exclusively on those issues.

Every family, every child, and every situation is different. My role is to help clients understand their options, navigate the law with confidence, and pursue meaningful solutions that strengthen and protect the people they love most. If there is a question you’ve been carrying or an issue you’re ready to address, I’m here when you’re ready to talk.

Contact Welch Law Office, LLC to discuss your options for moving forward and possible representation in your case.

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