Lawyers in Washington, MO

Finding a lawyer in Washington

Washington sits on the Missouri River in Franklin County, though civil and criminal cases from the city are heard in the Franklin County circuit court in Union, the county seat. The river town's historic downtown and the surrounding wine country toward Hermann draw a mix of tourism, real estate and small-business legal work alongside the family and injury matters found in any Franklin County community.

Legal issues people in Washington bring to lawyers

• Real Estate — river-town home purchases, closings and title work, plus vineyard and rural land transactions nearby.
• Family & Divorce — custody, child support and property division in the Franklin County circuit court's family division.
• Business — contracts and formation for the city's shops, wineries and tourism-related businesses.
• Personal Injury and Car Accident — crash claims from the highways connecting Washington to Union and St. Louis, usually pursued on a contingency fee.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and estate administration through the county's probate division.
• Criminal Defense and DWI — defense in Franklin County's courts, from arraignment through trial.

Choosing a law firm in Washington

Look up the attorney in The Missouri Bar's public directory to confirm active, good-standing status; the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel handles any discipline separately. Ask how often the firm appears in the Franklin County circuit court, since Washington residents often choose between local firms and ones based in Union, and ask who at the firm will actually handle your matter. Put the fee arrangement — contingency, hourly or flat fee — in writing before any work begins.

Free and low-cost help

Income-eligible Washington-area residents can reach Franklin County's legal aid programs for free help with housing, family and benefits matters. A regional bar association runs a lawyer referral service for a low-cost first consultation, and anyone facing criminal charges who cannot afford a lawyer may ask the court to appoint a public defender.

Lawyers in Missouri · real estate lawyers in Washington · Nearby: lawyers in Union

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Missouri attorney about your situation.