202402.28
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The Beneficiary Deed: A Suggestion for Secure Estate Planning

In the realm of estate planning, ensuring that your assets are transferred smoothly to your loved ones after your passing is a paramount concern. One valuable tool in this endeavor is the beneficiary deed, a Missouri approved legal instrument that allows for the efficient transfer of real estate upon the owner’s death. While beneficiary deeds…

202402.14
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Navigating Probate Disputes: Understanding the Complexities and Resolving Conflicts

Yes, probate is necessary unless prior to death the decedent established an estate plan that caused him or her to avoid owning property that must be administered through probate. Once an estate is opened or created in the county where the decedent last resided, probate disputes often arise during the administration of a deceased person’s…

202401.31
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Unmarried people should know the importance of a thorough estate plan

Preparing for the end of your life is one of those things you know you should do, but have you done it? According to a recent survey by Caring.com, a senior living referral service, only 4 in 10 American adults have a Last Will and Testament or a living trust. Maybe you are one of…

202401.03
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You need a power of attorney and here is why!

When created properly, a power of attorney, (hereinafter, “POA”), is a legally binding estate planning document that provides its creator (principal or grantor) the important ability to appoint one or more people to act on their behalf in areas such as managing property, making medical decisions, or addressing financial affairs. Alarmingly, approximately 50% of American…

202312.03
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Important Payable on Death and Transfer on Death Beneficiary Insights for Missouri Seniors

By now you should be considering the establishment of an estate plan. Yes you…even you need an estate plan. While the term “estate” may sound ostentatious and unnecessary to many, the truth is every Missouri senior adult can benefit from an estate plan regardless of their wealth. An estate plan simply communicates the grantor’s wishes…

202311.01
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Hey Missouri pet owners! You can create an estate plan to address important topics for your pet

Americans love their pets. The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) reports that approximately 85 million American households have one or more dog, cat, bird, or horse, representing approximately 157 million pets. That number excludes specialty and exotic pets like fish, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, poultry, and livestock. Pets are often cherished, loved, and treated like family…

202309.27
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Important Legal Documents for Caregivers

Growing older is not the blessing some expected, nor is it the curse others feared. It likely falls somewhere in the middle. But, according to a 2009 Pew Research Center report, older adults do report experiencing fewer of the benefits of aging than they expected, such as spending more time with family members, traveling more…

202308.21
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Important Legal Topics Pertinent to Senior Adult Bankruptcies

For those senior adults with unmanageable debt and few assets, filing for bankruptcy may be a viable option to reduce those overwhelming financial concerns. Bankruptcy is a legal process wherein debt is discharged or managed through court order when a qualified senior is unable to repay debts. In summary, bankruptcy is a life preserver for…

202307.27
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Attorney Miller reduces key property tax burden for numerous Missouri clients

The 2023 property tax season was busy in Missouri in that assessors statewide sought to raise assessed values to reflect the unusually high market conditions brought on by the current federal administration.  With values higher than normal (some doubling and tripling in value), taxpayers who own real property are left holding the bag.  Todd Miller…

202306.28
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Pros and cons of a payable on death (POD) beneficiary for your assets

When creating your estate plan, it is important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets. Probate assets are those subject to court administration in a process through which a court determines how to distribute your property after you die. Some assets are distributed to heirs by the court as probate assets while others…