Your Trusted Legal Experts in Festus, MO
At Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices, we’re dedicated to providing personalized and professional legal services for families in Festus and surrounding areas. Our experienced team specializes in divorce, adoption, mediation, family law, child support, probate estate, and guardianship, delivering solutions tailored to meet your unique needs.

Lawyer of the Year 2021 – AILP

The National Trial Lawyers Top 100

Lawyers of Distinction 2020

National Advocates Top 30 – 2019

The National Advocates Top 10 – 2020

Over 64 Years of Combined Experience
- Services
Dependable Legal Services for Families in Festus
Explore our comprehensive legal services, designed to address your family’s unique needs with expertise and care. Let Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices provide the trusted solutions you deserve.

Family Law
Navigate life’s challenges with our compassionate family law services, including divorce, adoption, child support,
and mediation.

Adoption
Build your family with confidence through our compassionate adoption services. We’ll guide you through every step of the process to ensure a smooth and joyful experience.

GuardianShip
Ensure the protection and care of your loved ones with our trusted guardianship services. We’re here to guide you through the process with expertise and understanding.

Estate Planning
Secure your family’s future with our comprehensive estate planning services. From wills to trusts, we’ll help you protect what matters most.

- About US
About Us | Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices
At Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to families in Festus and surrounding areas. With a focus on compassion, professionalism, and personalized attention, we address a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, adoption, mediation, child support, probate estate, and guardianship.
We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with our clients, guiding them through complex legal processes with clarity and care. Our experienced attorneys work tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes, ensuring that every case is handled with the utmost diligence and integrity.
Looking for trusted legal guidance? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us provide the support you need to navigate life’s most important decisions.





- Why Choose Us
Why Families Trust Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices
At Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices, we are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of legal services to families in Festus and surrounding areas. Our commitment to excellence and personalized attention makes us the trusted choice for navigating complex
family matters.
We don’t just provide legal representation—we provide peace of mind. Whether you’re seeking help with divorce, adoption, mediation, child support, probate estate, or guardianship, our experienced attorneys offer tailored solutions designed to meet your family’s unique needs.
Family law is more than just a practice area for us; it’s a calling. Our attorneys bring deep expertise, compassion, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. We invest in continuous education and professional development to ensure we are always prepared to exceed expectations.
“Our clients are at the heart of everything we do,” says the team at Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices. “We are here to guide, support, and protect your family every step of the way.”
Choose Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices and experience the difference of having a trusted partner by your side, committed to safeguarding your family’s future.

Serving Festus and Surrounding Areas
At Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices, we proudly provide top-quality legal services to families in Festus and the surrounding areas in Jefferson and Sainte Genevieve Counties.
Locations We Serve:
- Festus, MO
- St. Genevieve, MO
- Sainte Genevieve County, MO
- Jefferson County, MO
- & more.
Whether you need assistance with family law, adoption, probate estate, or guardianship, our expert team is here to help. Contact us today for trusted and professional legal services.
- Why Choose Us
How Our Process Works
Step 1:
SchedulE a Consultation
Reach out to us by phone or through our online contact form to schedule a personalized consultation. Share your legal needs, and we’ll guide you through the first steps.
Step 2:
Discuss Your Case
Meet with one of our experienced attorneys to discuss your situation in detail. We’ll listen carefully, answer your questions, and provide expert advice on how to proceed.
Step 3:
Develop a Tailored Strategy
Our team will craft a customized legal plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your unique needs. We’ll keep you informed and supported every step of the way.
Step 4:
Achieve Your Goals
With your goals in mind, we’ll work diligently to resolve your legal matters efficiently and effectively, ensuring peace of mind for you and
your family.
- testimonials
What our client say
At Ponder-Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices, our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Their experiences reflect our commitment to providing compassionate and effective legal solutions. From family law to estate planning, we strive to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
GOOD Based on 36 reviews Karen Torres2024-12-23Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you so much for the service! Avery Starnes2024-12-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. PBSG Law Offices made the estate planning process easy and reassuring. Their team was professional, patient, and attentive to our family’s specific needs. They explained every detail clearly and guided us in setting up a will, trust, and powers of attorney to protect our future. We left feeling confident and well-prepared. I highly recommend PBSG Law Offices for anyone looking to secure their family’s peace of mind. Tracy Jaycox2024-06-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If I could give 10 stars I would! When Jackie says “she’s got this” and winks at you, trust her! I brought her a very complicated, unique case and she took and presented it very well at a hearing. I knew she was great, but very impressive today ;) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Catrina Melkowski2024-06-25Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am very pleased with my experience at Ponder Bates Stewart Gonz Law Offices. My attorney,Mr. Nathan Stewart, is very professional, always returns my calls promptly, and truly cares about people. I always had a pleasant experience with all the staff. I will continue to recommend their services to friends and family. Carla Davis2024-01-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nathan Stewart is an amazing lawyer..I highly recommend him ..he helped us adopt our grandson,he helped us with everything &it was a very emotional case.thank you Nathan! Tiffany Nelms2024-01-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used suzan as my family lawyer. She was amazing and non judgemental. She got me everything I wanted. I would recommend her to anyone!