Family Law

• Divorce
  When the foundation of your family is shaken by issues that are serious enough to bring you to court, an experienced Family Law & Divorce Attorney can be an invaluable resource in trying to maintain financial independence and adequate parenting time.
• Child Support
  Whether you are seeking to end your marriage, pursue child custody and child support, or divide property, the Family Law Attorneys at Ziegler & Schneider will handle your case diligently and with sensitivity.
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Adoption
• Premarital Agreement
• Guardianship
• Annulment
• Child Abuse
  Erica began her legal career as a felony prosecutor in Boone County at the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. She prosecuted various cases including drug possession, drug trafficking, child abuse, theft, burglary, robbery, and more. In 2017, she left for the opportunity to clerk for Justice Michelle Keller with the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Steven C. Martin began practicing law in 1979 and currently practices in both the commonwealth of Kentucky and the state of Ohio, focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation matters.
• DUI/DWI
• Wrongful Death
  On December 15, 2022, Fox 19 Now spoke with our own Jeff Blankenship about a wrongful death lawsuit will be filed against an assistant living facility in Independence claiming its failure to...
• Sex Crimes
  In 1983, shortly after joining the Prosecutor’s office, he obtained a conviction in one of the very first cases tried in the Commonwealth of Kentucky involving allegations of sexual abuse, rape and sodomy by a family member of young children. That case, because of the life sentence imposed by the jury, was appealed immediately to the Kentucky Supreme Court. The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed the conviction in a published opinion that served as precedential value in substantive, procedural, and evidentiary matters. Fred Pendleton v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 685 S.W.2d 549 (Ky. 1985).
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Facing criminal charges has the potential to derail your life. One of the most critical steps on your long road through the legal system is choosing the best attorney to represent you. The highly skilled and passionate defense attorneys of Ziegler & Schneider are equipped to protect you and your rights in both felony and misdemeanor criminal matters.
• Drug Crimes
• Assault
• Murder
  As a highly skilled criminal defense attorney, Steve has successfully defended several high-profile criminal defendants in the Northern Kentucky area, in cases that involved allegations of “murder for hire” and politically motivated murder.
• Juvenile Crimes
  Erica has also published many different articles in legal publications on various topics including suppression of evidence, Rocket Docket programs in the County and State, criminal restitution, child witnesses, and juvenile law.
• Homicide
  Police Contact and When to Call a Lawyer By:  Erica F. Blankenship Comedian Tom Segura spoke about watching a show called “The First 48,” a documentary show which examines the first forty-eight hours of homicide investigations. Segura...
• Arson

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Civil Litigation and Corporate Litigation are broad areas within the practice of law. They can involve a variety of contractual, tort, property, legal, and constitutional claims for individuals, businesses and government entities.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
  Jeff’s practice also encompasses representation of a significant number of small local businesses, such as restaurants, churches, and other nonprofit organizations, retailers, and service providers, whom he advises on both employment and contractual aspects of their businesses, having negotiated numerous mergers and acquisitions, real estate purchases, noncompete, and nondisclosure agreements.
• Business Disputes
  In 1987, Steve joined private practice again, continuing criminal representation and developing his more advanced civil trial practice. During the first year after his prosecutorial experience, he taught business law at Ohio College.
• Business Transactions
  Since joining the firm in 2001, Molly has been working with individuals, businesses, and governmental/quasi-governmental entities in the areas of Government & Municipal law and Business & Corporate law, providing legal representation in all aspects of commercial transactions, corporate formations, corporate dissolutions, shareholder agreements, and more.
• Limited Liability Companies
  Businesses like corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships are able to pay their debts, but request to have payments restructured either by being provided more time for payoff, or by having a portion of their debt discharged in order to achieve more manageable payments.

Employment Law

• Employment Contract
  As part of the firm’s Employment Law Group, Matt assists employers in all aspects of employment law, including but not limited to, employment contracts, severance agreements, compliance with federal and state law, wage and hour claims, discrimination claims, unemployment disputes, non-solicitation agreements, non-compete agreements, confidentiality agreements, and employment termination matters.
• Employment Litigation
  As a member of the firm’s Litigation Group, Shane is an experienced and tested litigator. He has successfully litigated many complex and unique cases through the federal and state court process, including Kentucky Whistleblower actions, Labor and Employment disputes, Federal due process challenges, and business contract disputes.
• Non-compete Agreement
  For many clients involved with family or closely held businesses, succession planning for these businesses, including minimizing transfer and death taxes, is the most important part of an effective estate plan. Ziegler & Schneider attorneys are experienced in assisting with the transfer of a business interest during life; as well as by Will or by Trust at death. Consultation regarding the preparation of documents such as stock redemption agreements, buy-sell agreements, non-compete agreements, deferred compensation and other retirement agreements are regularly provided by Ziegler & Schneider’s attorneys.
• Severance Agreement
• Sexual Harassment

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Ms. Stavros has over twenty-four years of experience in Real Estate Law, focusing on the purchase and sale of both residential and commercial real estate in Kentucky and Ohio. Her experience includes representing individuals, as well as lenders and mortgage companies in their needs during closings, such as title services and title insurance, and document preparation. Additionally, Ms. Stavros is skilled with land contracts, lease options, and deed preparations.
• Premises Liability
  Jeff has published or co-published numerous papers on various aspects of legal issues, such as hedonic (loss of enjoyment) damages, the use of child witnesses, a law review article on juvenile-status offenders, and premises liability.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Having legal counsel is a wise decision given the complexities that come with any real estate transaction. The skilled real estate attorneys of Z&S can help to protect your interests from the very beginning by ensuring that your Ohio or Kentucky real estate transaction adheres to all applicable state and municipal laws.
• Eminent Domain
• Land Use and Zoning
  For decades, Ziegler & Schneider attorneys have provided special legal counsel services for many municipal corporations and local governmental agencies such as TANK, CVG, sheriff’s offices and colleges, as well as other local agencies, boards and commissions. The attorneys at Z&S assist these groups in all aspects of municipal and governmental administration, laws, regulations, contracts, and planning and zoning.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Condominium Law
  Lori practices extensively with the firm’s Real Estate Law Group. She handles all areas of real estate, both commercial and residential, foreclosure, and homeowner association (HOA) / condominium law in both Kentucky and Ohio.

Immigration Law

• Citizenship and Naturalization

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  The pain and uncertainty of an injury can be overwhelming, especially when it limits your ability to function and provide financially for yourself and your family. Speaking with a skilled attorney can help put your mind at ease. It is important to know that you will have a compassionate but tenacious advocate throughout the sometimes lengthy and always complicated process of a personal injury claim.
• Medical Malpractice
  Steve is also a member of the firm’s Business & Corporate Law Group, handling all types of litigation matters, including personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, and insurance coverage issues, including bad faith.
• Social Security Disability
  The attorneys at Ziegler &Schneider recognize that while the Social Security Disability Benefits system was set up by the government for your protection, it involves a complex regulatory process that could jeopardize your benefits if you do not follow every step of the process properly. Each case is different and requires input from many sources, including the legal field.
• Medicaid Planning
  The Z&S Estate Planning Group benefits from Matt working closely with financial planners and accountants for high net worth clients on estate planning needs and business succession, as well as working with clients on Medicaid planning, wills, powers of attorney, probate, trusts and living wills.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Planning your estate is one of the best things you can do not only for yourself, but for your family members and loved ones as well. Estate planning involves safeguarding your family by managing your property, distributing assets with minimal tax consequences, planning for your health concerns and end-of-life care, while providing for the financial support of your children and dependents.
• Wills
  Also known as a Healthcare Directive, Living Wills are an official document which sets forth your wishes regarding health measures. A Healthcare Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone as your healthcare agent to make medical decisions on your behalf, while a Durable Power of Attorney allows a person you designate to handle your affairs when you cannot. The Durable Power of Attorney document takes effect immediately and continues in full force and effect if you become incapacitate. It is revocable at any time if you are mentally capable, or upon your death.
• Trusts
  Will devotes part of his time to the firm’s Estate Planning Group, where he focuses on counseling individuals and families in the design of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts (including Special Needs Trusts), and other estate planning documents. Such practice also includes succession planning for family and closely held businesses as well as retirement planning for individuals.
• Power of Attorney
  On April 25, 2018, Governor Bevin signed House Bill 11 into law. House Bill 11 establishes Chapter 457 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes adopting portions of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (2006)....
• Probate
  The firm’s Estate Planning Group has benefited from Dave’s concentration on writing wills and providing probate services.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Bankruptcy can be an unsettling topic, but the reality is that millions of individuals and businesses have benefited from bankruptcy proceedings. Seeking to have an unpayable debt discharged or restructured can be a lengthy and complicated process, but the attorneys at Ziegler & Schneider are well-versed in bankruptcy law and stay apprised of the current trends so they can help you reduce financial stress and work toward achieving financial stability.
• Foreclosure
  Matt is experienced with Litigation, focusing on complex commercial disputes. Additionally, he is well versed in Real Estate Law, providing such services as Condominium/HOA representation, evictions, foreclosures, purchasing and selling commercial and residential real estate, and title examinations.
• Debt Collection