Deborah J. Smiley specializes in estate and business planning and estate and trust administration. Her practice includes trust and estate planning, general business and corporate planning, real estate transactions, probate and trust administration and tax planning. Deborah advises clients on various wealth management issues, including asset protection and preservation, business succession and sale, estate and business planning and retirement planning.
Inspiring families and business owners to plan for the inevitable is the keystone of Deborah’s practice. She develops and nurtures relationships with her clients. Being responsive and setting clear expectations with clients is crucial to her practice.
As a Certified Financial Planner, Deborah spent eleven years in wealth management working for trust companies where she handled client’s financial planning needs. The CFP® certification ensures that a professional adheres to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
Deborah also hold the designation of Accredited Estate Planner®. The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is a graduate level specialization in estate planning, obtained in addition to already recognized professional credentials within the various disciplines of estate planning. It is awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) to recognize estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character.
Prior to beginning her estate and business planning practice, Deborah litigated State and Federal cases in Missouri, with a focus on Title VII cases, including co-chairing two federal jury trials and one St. Louis City jury trial. She also practiced in the areas of domestic relations, intellectual property and criminal defense.
Deborah attended the University of Kentucky where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Cum Laude. She then attended the University of Kentucky Law School and received her Juris Doctorate Degree. Deborah is a member of the Missouri Bar, a past board member of the Estate Planning Council of St. Louis, Past Chair of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’s Probate and Trust Committee, a board member of the Cardinal Glennon Hospital Planned Giving Council and a board member of the St. Louis Missouri Humane Society’s Women’s Leadership Council.
*KEP Law, LLC d/b/a Krilogy® Law (“Krilogy® Law”) is a separate entity that is affiliated with Krilogy® Financial through common ownership. Krilogy® Law may collaborate with Krilogy® Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, and Krilogy® Tax Services in providing a unique, comprehensive approach to wealth management in which all facets of financial planning are seamlessly at work to help ensure an informed, proactive investment, tax, and estate strategy for each client. Together, the team provides an enhanced level of client care, offering informed insights and serving as trusted guides through the various phases of a client’s financial life and beyond. Krilogy® Law can also work with unaffiliated entities as part of your team. Krilogy® Law operates as an independent law firm to provide legal services in estate and business planning to both Krilogy® and non-Krilogy® clients. Legal services provided by Krilogy® Law are provided under a separate engagement. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
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