Single Contract
One agreement drafted or reviewed.
Typically Includes
- Contract drafting or review
- Redlines and revisions
- Plain-language explanation of terms
- One round of negotiation support
Contracts AttorneyA Signed Contract Isn't the Same as an Enforceable One.
Vague terms, missing provisions, or unclear dispute resolution can make even a signed contract hard to enforce when it matters.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri business attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so your agreements are written to protect your actual financial interests, not just look official.
Free 30-minute consultationNo obligation
30 Years
Practicing law
11 Years
In wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
AEP®
Accredited Estate Planner
What it does
What Contract Work Actually Does
Turns a handshake or a downloaded template into something that actually holds up.
Not a downloaded template, but terms that reflect what you actually do and what you're actually protecting.
Catches unfavorable terms, missing protections, and hidden risk before you're bound to them.
Breach, late payment, and termination terms are spelled out, not left to guesswork.
Specifies arbitration or litigation, and where, so a disagreement doesn't turn into a separate fight about how to fight.
NDAs and confidentiality provisions written to actually hold up, not boilerplate.
When a contract comes from the other side, we push back on the parts that don't protect you.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri business attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so your agreements are written to protect your actual financial interests, not just look official.
What it doesn't do
What Contract Work Doesn't Do
Said plainly, so you know what else to plan for.
A contract makes a breach easier to prove and enforce. It doesn't prevent someone from breaching in the first place.
A well-drafted contract protects you within the terms you're agreeing to. It can't turn a deal that doesn't make sense into a good one.
If you have business partners, a buy-sell agreement has its own specific terms for what happens if one leaves.
Learn about Buy-Sell Agreements →Not sure how this applies to your situation?
Call 636-214-0546What we watch for
Common Mistakes We Watch For
Most contract problems trace back to what happened before signing. Here's what we check for, every time.
Generic templates don't reflect Missouri law or the specifics of your business, and often fall apart exactly when you need them most.
Without clear terms, a disagreement about the contract can become its own separate legal fight.
Once signed, unfavorable terms are far harder and more expensive to renegotiate than to catch before signing.
Pricing
How Contract Work Is Priced
Pricing depends on the complexity of the agreement and how often you need contracts drafted or reviewed. Most matters are quoted as a flat fee, agreed to before work begins.
Ongoing Contract Needs
Regular contracts as your business operates.
Typically Includes
- Template agreements for repeat use
- Vendor and client contract review
- Ongoing negotiation support
- Priority turnaround
Complex or High-Value
Significant dollar value, multiple parties, or unusual terms.
Typically Includes
- Multi-party agreements
- Complex indemnification and liability terms
- Coordination with other advisors
- Extended negotiation support
Get an exact number for your situation — the first call is free.
Call 636-214-0546The process
How We Handle Your Contracts
The deal, the relationship, and what you actually need protected — in one real meeting.
1
We understand what you're trying to accomplish
The deal, the relationship, and what you actually need protected — in one real meeting.
2
We draft or review the contract
Specific to your business, not a generic template.
3
We negotiate the terms that matter
Pushing back on the parts that don't protect you.
4
We stay available
So you're not on your own if a question comes up after signing.
Your attorney
Why Business Owners Trust Deborah With This
Deborah Smiley
JD · CFP® · AEP®Deborah has practiced law in Missouri for 30 years. For 11 of those years, she also worked in wealth management — a combination that matters here too, since a lot of contract terms — payment structures, liability caps, valuations — are financial questions as much as legal ones.
She's a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) — credentials very few business attorneys hold together.
30 yrsPracticing law in Missouri
11 yrsIn wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®Certified Financial Planner
AEP®Accredited Estate Planner
Past ChairProbate & Trust Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Ready to talk through your plan?
Call 636-214-0546Client Reviews
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Questions
Questions
Generally, an offer, acceptance, and an exchange of value, expressed in clear enough terms that a court could determine what was actually agreed to.
It's not required, but a contract that looks fine on the surface can carry real risk. A quick review before signing is usually far cheaper than fixing a bad one later.
You can, but templates often don't reflect Missouri law or the specifics of your business, and can fall apart exactly when you need them to hold up.
It depends on what the contract says. A well-drafted contract spells out remedies and next steps; a vague one leaves you negotiating from scratch.
Arbitration is a private process outside of court, often faster and less public. Litigation goes through the court system. A contract can specify which applies.
Often yes, but they're much harder to prove and enforce than a written agreement.
It depends on the complexity of the agreement. Simple contracts can often turn around quickly; complex or multi-party agreements take longer.
It depends on the complexity of the agreement. Call for a free 30-minute consultation and we'll give you a clear cost estimate before you commit to anything.
Ready to Get Your Contract Right?
Call to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Deborah — no obligation.
Call 636-214-0546Free 30-minute consultationNo obligationReal person answers