Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  Child support: Child support payments — whether you are paying or receiving them — should allow your children to be raised in a way that enhances their health and well-being.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Child custody and visitation: Custody plans should allow you to co-parent successfully and care for your children appropriately after a divorce.\
• Adoption
• Guardianship
  Drafting, reviewing, or amending estate planning documents (wills, trusts, power of attorney, guardianships, living wills, health care directives, etc.)
• Spousal Support
  Alimony: Divorce should not devastate either party financially. We work with you to request or respond to requests for spousal support.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Violent crimes are some of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in criminal law. They also arise out of some of the most complicated situations. Unfortunately, many people who are arrested for assault or domestic violence end up with more than criminal consequences. They have marks on a criminal record that lead to obstacles in employment, housing, and other personal matters. The goal of our law firm, Shipman & DeHardt, PC is to provide the accused with a strong defense and a route out of the criminal justice system. Our attorneys understand that many personal conflicts can lead to complex violent crime charges — things that should not rob them of a bright future. When you contact our office, our attorneys will take the time to listen to your situation, provide experienced insight and assertively represent your interests through criminal proceedings.
• DUI/DWI
  Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious criminal offense. Law enforcement takes these matters very seriously, and DUI/DWI laws in Missouri always seem to be increasing in severity. While drunk driving can cause serious problems on the road, drivers deserve second chances after being pulled over, arrested, or charged with a DUI. Many DUI clients we see at the law office of Shipman & DeHardt, PC are first-time offenders who exercised poor judgment. They should not be stuck with a lifetime of consequences because of one arrest.
• Wrongful Death
• Traffic Violations
  Even a seemingly minor traffic infraction can lead to serious consequences. Traffic crimes are prosecuted with more severity as an individual has more marks on his or her criminal record. Consequences can go from a simple ticket and fine to driver’s license revocation or jail time.
• Burglary
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Many criminal cases in Missouri hinge on details, whether the defendant is facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge. Details can exonerate and set a defendant free, or they can heavily influence their conviction.
• Drug Crimes
  Many individuals facing drug charges do not pose a threat to society at large, yet a single conviction can leave them behind bars for years. As with many other criminal offenses, the more convictions you have on your record, the more severe the charge will be. You must protect yourself immediately if you have been investigated, arrested, or charged with a drug crime.
• Assault
  The incident that led to your assault charge, therefore, may have simply involved a verbal argument. Charges may change from misdemeanor assault to aggravated assault as other details come into play, such as...

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes

Property Law

• Property Damage

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Mr. DeHardt represents individuals in matters involving dissolution and custody litigation, state and federal criminal law, DWI and traffic defense, death penalty defense, personal injury, wrongful death claims in defense of OSHA claims, and in defense of civil claims.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  A thorough estate plan can benefit people of all ages. I advise all my clients to consider the unexpected in estate planning, whether they are single individuals with minimal assets, young parents with minor children, or retired business owners who need to consider complex asset transfers in the event of death.
• Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
  Still, many people arrive at the offices of Shipman & DeHardt, PC after the unexpected has already happened. They have lost a loved one and have been named a personal representative (estate executor, estate administrator, or power of attorney). They have significant responsibilities to uphold when finalizing a loved one’s affairs, and they need guidance to make sure it is handled correctly.
• Probate
  Shipman & DeHardt, PC, represents clients facing criminal law, civil law, probate law, and family law matters throughout the Kansas City metro area in Missouri. Our husband and wife attorney team has handled a wide range of civil disputes and criminal defense matters through trial proceedings and settlement negotiations during their legal careers.