Estate planning is often a topic that people prefer to avoid, as it involves contemplating the end of life and the distribution of assets after death. However, proper estate planning is crucial for anyone who wants to ensure that their wishes are honored, their loved ones are protected, and their estate is managed efficiently. This…
When it comes to managing your financial assets or making critical decisions on your behalf, selecting a fiduciary is one of the most significant decisions you can make. A fiduciary is an individual or institution legally obligated to act in your best interest, putting your needs above their own. This role can involve managing investments,…
Lawyers have also played a dominant role in American politics. “The government of democracy is favorable to the political power of lawyers,” Alexis de Tocqueville wrote more than a century ago. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 25 were lawyers. In the mid-19th century, approximately 80 percent of the U.S. Congress were…
The handling and disposal of human remains in Missouri are governed by a combination of state laws and regulations, which aim to ensure public health, respect for the deceased, and the rights of families. This article provides an overview of the legal framework surrounding the disposal of human remains in Missouri, including burial, cremation, and…
If you read my monthly articles regularly, you know the cornerstone of any estate plan is a Last Will and Testament, (hereinafter, “Will”). But a Will has many limitations and should never stand alone as a plan for your future. The following are a few of the limitations for Wills: A Will does not completely…
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…
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…
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…
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…
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, March 27, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ — Law Office of Todd Miller, LLC is pleased to announce it was recently hired by the Jefferson City Housing Authority as its legal counsel for general counsel services and to execute its landlord/tenant law remedies. The Housing Authority has 318 units of Public Housing and 421 units…
