Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Common Reasons People May Delay Getting A Will And Why They Should AVOID Doing This

Estate planning can be tough on people for a number of reasons. For starters, most people don't like thinking about what happens when they die. Our estate planning attorneys in Lake Ozark understand that. However, we can't stress this enough, it's incredibly important for you to have a will. If you don't have one, get one sooner rather than later. If you pass away without a will, it can cause SO many problems for your loved ones, disputes among heirs, confusion about your funeral, tax issues, etc. Keep reading this week's blog for a few common reasons people delay getting a will and why they SHOULDN'T. If you need some getting your will together, contact one of our experienced estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks today. Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at (573) 348-2211.


Common Reasons People May Delay Getting A Will And Why They Should AVOID Doing This


Deciding on who gets what asset may be stressful for you. 

When planning your will, you can designate who you want to take over specific assets. Whether it's your home, car, accounts, or family heirlooms, it's a great opportunity to distribute your belongings to your friends and family. A will can help ensure your wishes are being carried out and that your estate is going where you want and not just divvied up.


Thinking about anyone else caring for children can be difficult.

If you have children under the age of 18, you can designate guardianship to an individual or couple. This can help make sure your kids are being cared for by exactly who you wish to care for them. You can also leave specific instructions for any financial help you want to go along with the person who will care for your kids.


The fear of the unknown intimidates some people. 

The beauty of a will is that it is a flexible document. Changes can be made over time as your wishes change. Whether you've had a major life change or you simply think someone else would be a better fit for a certain asset, you can make changes to your will, as you see fit.


Thinking about your own death can be so sad that people may just want to avoid doing so altogether.

It's important that everyone involved knows exactly what your wishes for your estate are. This can help to avoid arguments amongst family members. It will offer comfort for your family to know exactly what your wishes are and to help carry them out. A will is an ideal place to document any of your wishes for when you pass.



Our Estate Planning Attorneys Are At Your Service!

Now that you have a better idea of how important making a will actually is, let's get this task taken care of together before it's too late. Call our estate planning lawyers in Lake Ozark today. We can be reached at the phone number listed below. Remember, your first consultation is free. Make your wishes known with Gibbons Law Firm. We are ready to help you with this important part of life. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest legal tips.


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, June 18, 2021

3 Reasons You May Need To Change Your Will

Do you have a will? If not, our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks sincerely encourage you to get one. Having a will can relieve so much stress for your loved ones during a time where they are already mourning you. A proper will can help prevent disputes among heirs and make the entire process just easier. That being said, once you have a will, it's important that you keep it updated over time. Keep reading this week's blog for 3 reasons you may need to change your will over time. If you have any questions about updating your will or you would like a professional to help you create your will in the first place, please give us a call today. Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at (573) 348-2211. Know that your first consultation with us is FREE.



3 Reasons You May Need To Change Your Will

 

1. YOU GET DIVORCED AND NEED TO REMOVE YOUR EX FROM YOUR WILL.

Your will should state specifically who you wish to receive your belongings. An update should be made if your marital status changes. Whether you get married or divorced, this life change can have a big impact on your will.

 

2. ONCE YOUR KIDS ARE GROWN, YOU MAY WANT TO LEAVE YOUR ASSETS TO GRANDKIDS.

Once your kids enter into adulthood, you may want to make changes to your will. Many times individuals will set a guardian until the child has reached the age of eighteen. After your child reaches this age, they will be able to take care of themselves and do not need a legal guardian. Your will can be changed to take off guardianship of your kids after they are adults. You may also have your assets set to disperse differently after they have reached adulthood.

 

3. THE BENEFICIARY YOU NAMED HAS PASSED AWAY.

When a loved one passes away, your will may be the last thing on your mind. It's important to make a change in your will if someone who you have named as a beneficiary has passed away. You can always have these funds passed on to the individual's beneficiary.



Get Your Will Updated To Reflect Your Life Changes Today.

 

Gibbons Law Firm can help you! Our estate planning attorneys in Lake Ozark can look over your will and work with you to make sure it is fully updated. Letting things like this go unchecked can really be tragic if you pass away unexpectedly and your will isn't correct. You don't want the wrong beneficiary inheriting your assets and so on. Give us a call at the phone number listed below for your free consultation. 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

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Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Factors That Are Considered When Awarding Child Custody

Do you know people who are divorced with children? The odds are you do. The divorce rate is still about 50%. Have you ever thought about what it took for child custody to be awarded to the parents? This is SO important to keep top of mind if you are ever considering divorce and you have children. Our divorce lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few factors that are considered when awarding child custody. If you need to speak with an experienced Mid-Missouri divorce attorney, please call Gibbons Law Firm today. Your first consultation is free. We can be reached at 573-348-2211.



Factors That Are Considered When Awarding Child Custody


When it comes to child custody cases in Missouri, the court has to look at what's in the best interest of the children. Many factors can play into that. Here are a few that may be considered:


FAIR SHARING OF TIME WITH THE CHILD

Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, continuing and meaningful contact with the other parent.


THE CHILD'S WISHES

  • The child’s adjustment to the child’s home, school, and community.
  • The needs of the child for a frequent, continuing and meaningful relationship with both parents and the ability and willingness of parents to actively perform their functions as mother and father for the needs of the child.


THE MENTAL STABILITY OF THE PARENTS

  • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, including any history of abuse of any individuals involved.
  • Possible drug addiction from the past may be looked into.
  • Any DWIs that may be on the parent's record may also be taken into account.


PROVIDING A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILD

  • The intention of either parent to relocate the principal residence of the child.
  • The interaction and interrelationship of the child with parents, siblings, and any other person may significantly affect the child’s best interests.
  • Having a steady job to provide for the child.
  • Having a home in a safe neighborhood for the child to reside in.
  • Participating and being present on a regular basis for your child's extracurricular activities, such as ball games, music recitals, school plays, etc.


Do You Need An EXPERIENCED Divorce Lawyer Fighting For Your Child Custody?

Divorce is tough on everyone. Just stay focused on the task at hand and don't be afraid to lean on your divorce attorney to be your guide through this emotional time. Any case that involves child custody can be truly trying and dramatic for everyone involved but you CAN get through it. Our divorce attorneys are here to help you any way we can. For more information on our family law practice, please visit our website at www.RGibbonsLawFirm.com. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels to stay up to date on our latest legal tips and 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

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Thursday, June 3, 2021

Why You May Need A Lawyer As A LandLord?

Many people who own second homes at the Lake of the Ozarks may choose to rent out to people vacationing in the area for the weekend. They may also choose to rent out their second homes to tenants on a long-term basis. It can be a GREAT investment. That being said, if you choose to do this, you should go about it the right way. Legally speaking, you can run into so many issues if you're not careful. There are a few MAJOR things an experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you with if you're a landlord. 



Why You May Need A Lawyer As A LandLord?


Your tenant causes SIGNIFICANT damage to your property.

Most lease agreements state who should be responsible for maintenance and damage to the property. Typically, the owner is responsible for normal wear and tear and the tenant is responsible for any significant damage they cause. If the tenant does not repair the damage they cause, they may be responsible for paying for the damage to be repaired.


Your tenant gets hurt on your property.

A renter may get injured on your property and claim you should be responsible for the accident. This is a tough situation to be in and you should consult legal assistance as soon as you are accused. Getting a lawyer involved can help guide you as to how you should proceed and if you have a case or not. A way to avoid this situation is to help ensure your rental property is safe for your tenants before an issue arises.


You have to evict a tenant because they failed to pay rent.

It can be tough to evict a tenant. Even with a good reason, getting a renter out can be tricky. You have to give a certain length of time for a tenant to get their belongings out of your rental. If they are reluctant, it can be a long process. It's important to consult a lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks if you plan to evict a tenant. An experienced lawyer can help walk you through the process and let you know what rights you have as a landlord.


Your tenant is late making payments and you need legal assistance to get them to do so.

If you are struggling to get payment from your tenant, you may have to take legal action. Give your renter a reasonable length of time to make the payment. Try to work with them as to when they can pay you. If you make an effort to get the payment from the tenant, it shows that you are willing to negotiate and work with them. If you are past the point of working it out, a lawyer may need to be involved.



Ready To Become A Landlord?


If so, congratulations! This can be such a great investment for you and your family and we hope it works out for you. If you'd like to sit down with an experienced attorney in Lake Ozark that has dealt with many of these matters before, call Gibbons Law Firm today. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211. Your first consultation is free. 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...