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…
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…
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…
Digital assets are simply defined as content that is stored digitally. Some common types of digital assets include photos, music, videos, power point presentations, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, logos and other branded graphics, audio files, PDF’s, and access codes to bank accounts, credit card accounts, investments, and the like. For some, these assets comprise a…
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 1789. Benjamin Franklin was correct. Death is inevitable for all of us. As a result, each Missourian should…
The establishment of a solid estate planning package is essential, even for the rich and famous. Although adored by fans and showered with swag at ceremonies like the Oscars, celebrities as a whole seem no different than the average American when it comes to making estate planning mistakes. Just like many people who lack celebrity…
In the wake of a recent, controversial event occurring in St. Louis, Missouri involving attorneys Mark McCloskey and his wife Patricia McCloskey, who displayed guns in an attempt to protect their home and lives from trespass and harm, this article does not seek to express a political position on gun ownership and possession. Instead, it…
Our law firm regularly receives inquiries from potential clients asking for a “simple Will” and how much they cost. While I never discount why people call and ask for an inexpensive solution to their estate planning problems, and I always appreciate their desire to establish a Will using our law firm, the question is analogous…
This article continues our examination of the guardianship and conservatorship process in Missouri. We pick up the process after the adjudication hearing is held… If the Petitioner proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the Respondent is incapacitated or disabled, or both, the court will seek to determine the degree of supervision necessary for…
