Estate planning is often considered a topic reserved for married couples or those with children. However, it is even more important for unmarried individuals to have a well-thought-out estate plan in place. Without one, the state will dictate how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes. More importantly, people who are…
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…
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…
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…
Attorney, Todd Miller of the Law Office of Todd Miller, LLC in Jefferson City, Missouri was recently elected 2nd Vice District Governor of District 26-M7. Miller’s responsibilities include supporting the other two district governors in the implementation of local and international Lions Club agendas. Growing membership is Miller’s primary emphasis as service clubs like the…
Okay sure, your life is calm now. Perhaps you are retired or nearing retirement. Perhaps your children are independent or nearing an age of independence. But soon enough you will be a senior adult with completely different legal needs than your younger self. While speeding tickets, dissolution of marriage and family law issues were paramount…
In part one of this two-part series, we discussed some of the important steps toward placing a loved one or friend in the care of a nursing home or residential care facility. As we previously discovered, this is a very challenging topic for nearly everyone and requires bravery, patience, teamwork, and sometimes the help of…
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…
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…
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…
