Welcome Kristen Sparks as TCFL Partner

July 1, 2024

St. Louis, MO – July 2, 2024 – The Center for Family Law  is pleased to announce that Attorney Kristen Sparks joined the firm in June 2024 as partner. 
 
Kristen is a 2015 graduate of the Washington University School of Law. She previously served clients at TCFL from 2013 to 2017 as a law clerk and associate.  

 

Kristen currently concentrates her practice in the areas of family law, probate, orders of protection, adoption and estate planning. She regularly serves as a Guardian ad litem in St. Louis County. Additionally, she is a certified family law Mediator, is trained in Collaborative Divorce, and is a former Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law. 
 
When asked why she chose the field of family law in particular, Kristen shared, “I’ve always been interested in the law. In high school, my favorite extracurricular was Mock Trial. In college, I went back and forth between pursuing psychology or law and ultimately decided to go into law. I find that family law combines the two interests, as mental health plays a very important role.” 

 
Throughout her career, Kristen has drawn back to invaluable advice and training she received while working with Cynthia Garnholz, who hired Kristen during her first year of law school and guided her for a decade. 

 

Kristen takes seriously the opportunity to compassionately and confidently walk her clients through extremely challenging scenarios. Revealing her heart for her clients, Kristen says, “I like knowing I’ve helped someone through a really tough period in life and helped set them up for as successful a future as possible.” 

 
True to her commitment to helping pave the way for healthier conflict resolution, Kristen has enjoyed her membership in the Collaborative Family Law Association and was elevated to the role of President of CFLA in June 2024. CFLA is a multidisciplinary group of individuals who want to achieve the best possible outcome for the entire family and provide a better alternative to traditional litigation. 


Here at The Center for Family Law, we are so grateful for Kristen’s drive to continually learn, collaborate, and find solutions for people in need. We are proud to have her as a partner on our team. 

By Allison Gerli April 10, 2025
We are proud to share that Ann Bauer will be honored at the 27th Annual Women's Justice Awards on April 10, 2025, as one of this year's recipients in the "Mentor" category. This award celebrates experienced legal professionals who have played an important role in guiding and supporting the next generation of attorneys. Ann’s journey in family law began with co-founding her first firm in 2009, eventually leading to the establishment of The Center for Family Law in 2013. What began as a small practice has grown into a dynamic firm with a team of attorneys and staff dedicated exclusively to family law. Ann has been the heart of this growth—leading with purpose, mentoring with compassion, and consistently advocating for positive change. Ann's unwavering commitment to transforming how families navigate legal separation has helped shift the focus from adversarial litigation to a more compassionate approach to resolution, especially within the collaborative divorce process and in mediation. Her philosophy and approach to family law continue to influence and guide a new generation of legal professionals and practitioners she has mentored throughout her career. Whether she's mentoring within the firm or taking the time to speak with a law student, Ann is always generous with her time, wisdom, and support. She also shares her expertise through active service on numerous committees dedicated to family law and domestic violence. Please join us in congratulating Ann on this well-deserved honor. We are grateful for her vision and proud to continue building on the foundation she helped establish at The Center for Family Law.
January 24, 2025
The Center for Family Law is excited to announce the start of its fourth year hosting the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops, providing valuable support and guidance to individuals navigating the divorce process.
By Allison Gerli December 20, 2024
The holiday season can be a balancing act for all parents, but it can be especially challenging for divorced parents who need to coordinate plans with a former spouse and navigate interactions with new partners. While some stress is to be expected, with careful planning, flexibility, and the right mindset, you can make the holidays smoother for everyone. Here are a few tips to help you manage. Prioritizing the Children. The holidays are a time for children, and their well-being should be the focus of the schedule. Whether it's your first holiday post-divorce or you have had a few years to adjust, there are simple steps you can take to make the season easier for them. Create a Joint Plan. Collaborate with your ex to ensure the children can spend time with both of you without feeling torn. A clear, shared plan helps avoid confusion and conflict. This might involve splitting the day between both households or longer periods of time with each parent to allow for out-of-town travel to visit relatives. It is important that parents are on the same page on what schedule will be followed and that is communicated to the children as a joint plan. Balance Traditions with Flexibility. It is natural to want to keep cherished family traditions, but flexibility is key. Discuss with your co-parent which traditions are most important and find a realistic way to divide them. This ensures that the kids do not feel pressured to choose between one tradition or family, allowing them to enjoy special moments with both sides. Create New Traditions. This is an opportunity to start fresh. Let go of old expectations and focus on what will bring joy to your current family setup. Whether changing when your holiday meal occurs or coming up with new ways to celebrate with those who matter now, these changes can redefine your holiday experience in a way that reflects your family as it is today. Remember, children care more about spending time with you and celebrating together than about the exact day. [The Right] Communication is Key. Keeping communication focused on the kids can help prevent old conflicts from resurfacing. Keep discussions brief and to the point. Set times to address important matters and confirm plans through a message or email to ensure everyone is aligned and to prevent miscommunication. Involving New Partners. Whether it is you or your ex with a new partner, you should be mindful of how this change can stir emotions and make the situation feel uncertain. If planning to include a new partner in holiday activities, having a conversation with your ex beforehand is best. Discuss your plans for the day and make sure your ex is comfortable with the arrangement. If you are nervous about being around your ex’s new partner, remember that you have the right to decide how much or how little to engage with this new person, all while keeping things positive and calm for the children. Children may also need time to adjust to a new partner, particularly if the relationship is still fresh. Monitor how they are coping and give them space to process these changes. Do not force interactions, and if possible, let the relationship evolve naturally. Spending Time with Former In-Laws. Another challenge during the holidays for separated parents is dealing with ex-in-laws. Seeing them may feel awkward, but it is often necessary for the children's sake. If spending time with your ex-in-laws feels too emotionally challenging, be honest with yourself and them. It is okay to politely decline an invitation if it being there would cause too much stress. Regardless of how you feel about your ex-in-laws, remember that ex-in laws are still important figures in your children’s lives, and it is often best for the kids if you maintain a relationship with them. Encourage your children to spend time with their grandparents or other relatives from your ex’s family when possible. Remember even when feeling frustrated, remind yourself that cooperation between parents benefits the children, making these moments more manageable.