Thursday, March 25, 2021

Business Estate Planning FAQs

Owning a business can be stressful and tough! It's not always a "walk in the park". Your business is likely a legacy you'd like to leave behind to possibly your children or a very trusted business associate. Either way, do you have an estate plan in place? If not, we encourage you to speak with an experienced estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks as soon as you can. Call Gibbons Law Firm today to set up a consultation, the first one is free. We can be reached at 573-348-2211. In the meantime, keep reading this week's blog for the answers to a few frequently asked questions regarding business estate planning. 


Business Estate Planning FAQs


Q: Are there risks if I don't have an estate plan, as a business owner?

A: Potential yes, you could be facing risks, such as Higher taxes, Dispute between heirs, and Division of assets based on legal requirements.

Q: What sort of information should I be leaving behind for my successor?

A: It's important that your records are easy to find. In the event of your passing, these documents should be well organized and in a convenient location. Someone will need to locate these documents in order for your wishes to be carried out. Consider keeping insurance information, your estate plan, financial information, and other information for your successor together in one place.

Q: Should I buy life insurance?

A: A life insurance plan can help to cover the financial burden of a loved one passing. A business owner should consider buying a life insurance policy to benefit their business, as well. A partner or your successor may even be named the beneficiary of your policy, to make the transition smooth.

Q: Should I have a will?

A: A will is helpful no matter what type of business you own. This type of documentation can help you dictate exactly what you want to take place after your death. Usually, businesses with no will in place will be passed to close family members. Save your employees and family members the effort and name your successor in a will.

Q: What is a succession plan and should I have one?

A: A succession plan can help your successor navigate their new role. A solid plan contains the name of the successor, a training plan, and how your successor will be taking control of the business. This plan is a good roadmap for whoever you choose to take over your venture. Whether you pass away, retire, or are unable to work for another reason, a succession plan can help your successor navigate their new role.



Are You Ready To Get Your Business Estate Plan Created?

If so, give us a call at the phone number listed below and set up your free consultation today. Making sure your business stays in good hands and your legacy is protected should be a priority. We encourage you to speak with an experienced Lake Ozark estate planning attorney today. To stay up to date on our latest announcements, please follow us on our social media channels listed below.


Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.



Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049


(573) 348-2211

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Friday, March 19, 2021

What Are Some of the Most Common Personal Injury Claims?

Personal Injury Claims - This term is pretty broad. What does it actually mean? A personal injury claim is something that is filed when a person is wronged, and this could mean MANY things. This victim could have been:

  • In a car accident
  • In a boating accident
  • Sexually harassed
  • Discriminated against
  • Injured at work
  • In a restaurant and slipped and fell
  • Injured in a hospital (Medical Malpractice)
...and so on. As you can see, there are MANY personal injury examples. Have you ever wondered what the most common personal injury claims are? Keep reading this week's blog to learn what some of the most common personal injury claims are. If you find yourself needing an experienced personal injury lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, call Gibbons Law Firm today. We offer consultations and your first one is free. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211.


Common Personal Injury Claims


Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
Car accidents are one of the most common personal injury claims and may be caused for a number of reasons. Distracted drivers can make up a huge part of this cause. A few examples of distracted driving may include doing the following while driving:
  • Eating
  • Grooming
  • Applying Make Up
  • Drinking Alcohol
  • Texting
  • Emailing
  • Reading
  • Smoking

Premises Liability Claims 
Premises liability keeps a property owner responsible for any sort of damages or injuries that may happen on their property. For example, if a homeowner has visitors over and one of those visitors gets bit by the homeowner's dog, that may constitute a premises liability claim. This is one of the most common personal injury claims.

Slip and Fall Accident Claims
This type of claim is a little more self-explanatory and is also one of the most common personal injury claims. There are several examples where a slip and fall accident may take place. It is the responsibility of the property owner to make for a safe environment for all visitors. These types of accidents may happen on a slippery floor at restaurant, shopping mall, at your place of work, or even walking into your hair salon. If you ever feel like you may have a slip and fall accident claim, the best thing you can do is to call an experienced personal injury attorney in Camdenton. Explain your case and get the compensation you deserve for your injury.


Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?


No one ever expects an accident like what was described above to happen, they just do, unfortunately. If you ever find yourself the victim in a horrific accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney in Mid-Missouri. Allow them to fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Having successfully tried hundreds of cases, Roger Gibbons has the experience and resources to give you an opportunity for a successful outcome on your personal injury case. Find out more about how we can assist you by contacting our Firm and making an appointment for a consultation today. We can be reached at the phone number listed below. You can also stay up to date on our latest announcements by following us on our social media channels listed below, as well.



Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.



Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Friday, March 12, 2021

Questions To Ask Your Business Attorney

Throughout the excitement of starting your NEW business, the last thing on your mind may be talking to a business attorney about possible legal issues you may run into. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't make finding the right business attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks a priority. On that note, keep reading this week's blog for a few questions to ask your business attorney. For a free consultation with one of our experienced business attorneys in Lake Ozark, please call Gibbons Law Firm today. We can be reached at 573-348-2211.




Questions To Ask Your Business Attorney


WHAT SHOULD I BE DOCUMENTING WHEN I HIRE SOMEONE?

Your business may be open to a number of risks and regulations as you hire employees. It's important to know the details of employment laws and to abide by the rules of employment for your state. Don't forget to keep good documentation of any employee activity - hiring, firing, and everything in between. Your business lawyer can help you know the regulations you need to follow and help you draft accurate documentation for any employment activity.


IS HAVING A BUSINESS ATTORNEY LEGALLY REQUIRED?

While it's not required, a legal professional can help your business in a number of ways. From helping establish your business and initial documentation to giving legal advice throughout your time in business, you may use your business lawyer a lot. It's best to have a legal professional on your side who knows your background when a legal issue arises. 


IS HAVING A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP THE BEST DECISION FOR ME?

Before starting a business, you will need to decide upon the business structure. As a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you and your business will be seen as the same entity. This can cause issues in your personal life should your business go into debt or be sued. To help protect against this, you can structure your business as a corporation, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership. This can help protect the personal assets of those involved in the company. Limited partnership and nonprofit corporations are also options for your new venture. A legal professional can offer the pros and cons of each type and offer advice as to which one is best for your future business.


WHAT IS TRADEMARKING? 

A business name, logo, and slogan can be trademarked to help prevent other businesses from using the same branding technique as yours. To do so, you must register these items to be trademarked and ensure you are not using a graphic, name, or phrase that another business has already used.



Now that you have a few questions to keep top of mind, let's get that consultation scheduled! As a business owner, you should be prepared for anything! Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Speak with an experienced business attorney today and make sure your business is legally covered! Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at the number listed below. In addition to providing business law services, we also provide many others such as family law, personal injury, etc. A great way to stay up to date on those sorts of things is to follow us on our social media channels listed below.



Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.



Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Avoid These Issues When It Comes To Divorce

Divorce - it's a highly emotional time no matter what your reason may be for doing so. So, if you're in the middle of one, know that you're not alone in your feelings. Couples all across America are going through the same thing, so stay strong. There are also a few other things you should know, such as what to AVOID when it comes to divorce. Our divorce lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few issues to try and steer clear of when it comes to divorce, in this week's blog. If you have questions, please call Gibbons Law Firm today for a free consultation. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211.



Avoid These Issues When It Comes To Divorce


BEING UNREASONABLE OVER HOW TO COVER JOINT DEBT.

Just as owning valuable assets can pose a challenge during the divorce process, so can having expensive liabilities. If you and your spouse accumulated significant debt during your marriage (car loans, student loans, credit card debt, etc), you will have to determine how to divide these financial burdens.


BEING UNFAIR OVER WHO RECEIVES RETIREMENT MONEY AND OTHER RELATED ASSETS.

With so much at stake, high-asset divorces are often highly contested. If you or your spouse share substantial retirement accounts, high-dollar real estate, six- or seven-figure bank accounts, or other valuable assets, you may run into difficulties determining whom should receive what.


NOT COMMUNICATING OVER CHILD CUSTODY.

This likely won't come as a surprise, but custody disputes are some of the most common complications to arise during divorce. If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement on how custody and associated parental responsibilities should be divided, you may end up facing a long, combative struggle over custody rights.


TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE HIGHER EARNING SPOUSE.

If one spouse earns substantially more than the other, disputes may arise over alimony or child support. The higher-earning spouse will likely (understandably) wish to keep monthly payments to a minimum so as to have more money to devote to new life situations that may present. On the other side of the equation, the lower-earning spouse may be concerned about maintaining the lifestyle they became accustomed to during marriage. 



Are You Considering Divorce?

Consider ALL your options first before filing for divorce. This is a process that should not be entered into lightly. However, if it IS something you're considering, we urge you to speak with an experienced divorce attorney in Mid-Missouri. Get the answers you need before starting this process. We are here to answer any questions you may have. Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at the phone number listed below. You can also follow us on our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements.


Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.


Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...