Following any dissolution of marriage, a wise person updates their estate plan. This step is particularly important if there are children or assets involved. Approximately one-half of marriages in the United States end in divorce, and for most people involved, it is one of the worst experiences of their lives. As a result, many participants…
As a wise consumer, you will soon be meeting with an attorney to discuss an estate plan and when you do it is likely you will discuss the use of a trust. A living trust is a legal arrangement you establish during your lifetime to protect assets and direct distribution after your death. It is…
As you begin the process of establishing an estate plan, there are many important decisions you and your attorney will make. Arguably, one of the most important decisions involves identifying who will receive your estate assets and in what manner you want assets to pass when you die. Whether you create a revocable living trust,…
Legal disputes with contractors occur often and in some instances these disputes can involve your most expensive asset…your home. Liens and encumbrances involving contractors can be avoided if you choose contractors wisely. The choice of a reputable contractor is especially important for those on limited budgets, pensions and those receiving state and federal subsidies. The…
The Pew Research Center reports that among parents with adult children in the U.S., 61% of them say they have helped an adult child financially in the preceding 12 months. Among those who have helped an adult child financially, with errands, housework or home repairs, or with child care, nearly nine-in-ten (89%) say it is…
This article is written with senior adults, their family members, and their loved ones in mind because the signs of elder abuse are difficult to detect by the senior adult and even more difficult to detect by their loved ones and family members who have limited access or infrequent contact with the senior adult. A…
The term Power of Attorney is often misused. A Power of Attorney is a legal document through which a principal appoints a person to act on their behalf as their agent or attorney-in-fact. The person acting on behalf of a principal is not a Power of Attorney as many incorrectly suggest. People use a Power…
Some senior adults have had their fill of wedded bliss and choose to never make that commitment again. Afterall, many who survived a dissolution of marriage did so without some of the assets they previously owned and without some of the parenting time they once enjoyed with their children and grandchildren. Perhaps those experiences lead…
You should be thinking about putting together an estate plan. And when doing so, it is important to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in that area of law. Your initial meeting with an estate planning attorney provides you a great opportunity to discuss your financial situation and your goals for distributing…
Who Are They? In its 2015 National Lawyer Population by State report, the American Bar Association indicated there were 25,337 attorneys in Missouri. Before you think that indicates we have more than enough attorneys, please note the ABA also reported that 11,656 of those attorneys are “Idle Attorneys” or those who are licensed and on…
