Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
Meet Deborah SmileyA Lawyer Who Also Spent 11 Years Managing Money.
Most estate planning and business attorneys draft documents.
Deborah does that, and then checks the numbers behind them — because she's also a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner), a combination very few attorneys hold together.
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
Why the Law-Plus-Money Combination Matters
A document can be legally perfect and still be the wrong plan for your actual finances. Here's what changes when one person checks both.
A trust or business plan is checked against your actual assets and retirement number, not drafted in isolation.
No handing you off between a lawyer and a separate financial advisor who've never spoken to each other.
Tax, insurance, and valuation issues get caught during drafting — not years later when they surface as a problem.
Not sure how this applies to your situation?
Call 636-214-0546Deborah does that, and then checks the numbers behind them — because she's also a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner), a combination very few attorneys hold together.
Background
Her Story
Deborah started practicing law in Missouri 30 years ago, focused on estate planning and probate. A few years in, she kept noticing the same gap: clients would leave her office with a legally sound will or trust, then go make financial decisions — retirement withdrawals, life insurance, business valuations — that quietly worked against the plan she'd just built.
So she became a Certified Financial Planner. For the past 11 years, she's practiced both — law and wealth management — side by side, specifically so that doesn't happen to her clients. She later added the AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) designation, held by a small group of attorneys, financial planners, and CPAs who specialize in estate planning specifically.
Today, Deborah works with individuals and families on estate planning and trust administration, and with business owners on formation, contracts, and succession — always checking the legal side against the financial side, because in her experience, that's where most plans quietly break.
The process
How Deborah Works With Clients
Before recommending anything, she wants to understand your actual situation — not just the legal category it falls into.
1
Listens first
Before recommending anything, she wants to understand your actual situation — not just the legal category it falls into.
2
Explains it in plain English
No jargon you have to nod along to. You'll understand what you're signing and why.
3
Coordinates your other advisors
Your CPA, banker, or financial planner — brought into the loop so nothing works against something else.
4
Stays available
A plan isn't a one-time document drop. She reviews and updates it as your life or business changes.
Credentials
Credentials & Involvement
JD
Juris Doctor, licensed in Missouri
30 years practicing law, focused on estate planning, trust administration, and business law.
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
11 years in wealth management, practiced alongside her law career.
AEP®
Accredited Estate Planner
A designation held by a small group of professionals who specialize specifically in estate planning.
Past Chair
Probate & Trust Committee
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Client reviews
What Clients Say
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 About the Firm
Yes. Your call is answered by our team first, and Deborah personally handles your matter from the consultation through closing the file.
Both. Many clients start with one and end up using Deborah for the other, since she coordinates the two rather than treating them as separate.
Yes — a free 30-minute call with no obligation, so you can ask questions and get a clear cost estimate before committing to anything.
Deborah is licensed in Missouri and serves clients across the state, with virtual consultations available.
An Accredited Estate Planner — a designation held by a small group of attorneys, financial planners, and CPAs who specialize specifically in estate planning.
Ready to Talk Through Your Situation?
Call to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Deborah — no obligation.
Call 636-214-0546Free 30-minute consultationNo obligationReal person answers