Legal Questions: How Do I Prepare My Estate Plan?

An estate plan is a plan that is made in advance of naming whom you want to receive your belongings after you die. This document can help ease the stress on your family and also provide greater assurance that your assets will not go to someone you do not wish to have them. Because there are many ins and outs to constructing this type of document, you can hire a legal professional at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you solidify your estate plan and be sure that your assets are squared away properly. Here are a few things you will need to prepare your estate plan.

Financial Statements

Gather the financial statements from your investments and bank accounts to your meeting when planning your estate. These documents will help show where your financial assets are located. You can also start thinking about who you intend to take over ownership of these financial accounts in the time leading up to your meeting.

List of Assets & Liabilities

Similar to your financial statements, assets and liability information should be brought to the meeting as well. The list will be helpful when dividing up assets and liabilities to pass on to the person of your choosing.

Life Insurance Policies

Any life insurance information is helpful as you are planning your estate. Bring your policies along with you so that we can accurately assign someone to take ownership.

Who Your Intend to Leave the Estate With

As you decide who to leave your estate with, gather their updated address and other contact information. This can make the transfer of your assets much easier after you pass. The exact name and address of the individuals or institutions that you plan to name in your will are necessary.

Guardianship Information

If you have children who are under the age of 18, it is important to have specific individuals named to take over the guardianship of your children. You may also want to have an alternative guardian in mind as well. When children are involved, it’s best to have someone named as the guardian to avoid a child going into government care.

Inheritance Disbursement

If you will be naming beneficiaries who are minors or young adults, it is helpful to line out the distribution of the trust. This can help reduce the chance of a younger heir getting carried away with an excess of money or assets. You can set up your estate to pay out in smaller amounts over time, instead of a large lump sum, or you can put off the disbursement until your child is an age of your choosing.

Creating an Estate Plan at the Lake of the Ozarks

No matter what your age, station in life, or financial situation, having a will and estate plan is important. This document will help to show exactly who you intend to take over ownership of each of your assets. This can also be a nice gesture towards your friends and family to have this documentation in place before you have passed on. At Gibbons Law Firm, we can help you handle all of your needs for an estate plan. You can contact our law office at the Lake of the Ozarks to schedule your free consultation today!

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...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Safe Driving Tips for The Fall Season

As seasons change, the tactics for safe driving can change a bit as well. Personal injury law at the Lake of the Ozarks applies to claims that arise when a person has sustained injury or damage caused by another party. There is a range of cases that this applies to, but one such is when it involved a motor vehicle. If it is proven that another party’s wrongful conduct caused injury or damage, the injured person may be entitled to monetary compensation from the other party. In situations that involve auto accidents, it’s important to get a refresher on safe driving tips for this season before you head out on the road - it could help you avoid being involved in a personal injury case.

Gibbons Law Firm has a few tips to help keep you safe on the road during the beautiful Autumn season.

Watch For Season Related Road Hazards

There is one prominent thing that sets fall apart from every other season - leaves. Those beautiful falling leaves that the season is so known for can also be one of the hazards of the season as well. When leaves are caught between a wet road and vehicle tires, they can momentarily cause a car to lose its grip on the road. It only takes an instant, but an accident can occur if the driver brakes suddenly without proper traction. Another hazard is that if too many leaves are on the road, it can interfere with a vehicles maneuvering capacity. This can be important because it deals with the car's ability to stand up to the unexpected.

Daylight Savings Season

Daylight Savings Time will end on November 3, 2019, and for many, this is a great time of year. However, your body can take several days to get used to an earlier sunset. Because of this, it can cause many drivers to become drowsy. It’s important to make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep so that your body can safely operate your vehicle, even when you are adjusting to the time change.

Another factor that plays into Daylight Savings Time is that it will get darker earlier. For many that means your commute home could be darker than it was and you may spend more time driving during dark evening hours. Be careful while you are driving, and make sure that your lights are working properly before you will start needing them.

The Holiday Season

As the holidays approach, there will also be more traffic on the roads over the next several months. From Halloween to Christmas, it’s going to be a busy season, but also a time when some drivers may choose to drive intoxicated after a party. Always remain alert while you are on the road, especially during the later evening hours.

There is also another holiday that affects the Ozarks during this time of year. It’s not an official “holiday” but deer season can also impact the hazards on the road this time of year. As the hunting season gears up, the deer will be on the move a lot more. It can be incredibly dangerous to dodge a deer, especially when it throws you into oncoming traffic. Be sure to scan the sides of the road and watch for deer, especially when you are driving early in the morning and later in the evening.

Personal Injury Lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks

If you think you have a personal injury case, it is important that you consult with an experienced attorney to know your legal rights. As a plaintiff in a personal injury case, you will have the burden of proving your case. Consequently, before you hire a personal injury attorney, you may want to consider his or her willingness and ability to take your case to trial, if necessary, and whether he or she has a proven record of obtaining settlements and winning jury trials.

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 today.

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...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Top 5 Things to Remember When Filing a Divorce

Family law deals with the issues that arise from marriage and domestic relationships. The cases give rise to matters that include divorce, legal separation, division of assets and liabilities, spousal support, child custody, child support, and other matters. This topic is extremely sensitive and highly complex due to the personal nature of the disputes. Because of this, it’s important to hire an experienced and knowledgable divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks who can help you navigate your case. Here are our top five tips to remember when navigating a divorce situation.

#1. Divorces Can Spike After the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, remember that the divorce rate is typically on the rise after they are over. Here are just a few reasons that divorce rates rise after the holidays are completed: 

• Couples put it off
• Holidays are a time of reflection
• Flaws are revealed through the holiday stress
• Making a last-ditch effort through the holidays

Curious if this may apply to you? Check out our blog to get more insight into the reasons listed above: Common Reasons the Divorce Rates Spikes After the Holidays.

#2. Certain Things Can Impact the Divorce Costs

Personal and professional relationships may be affected by a divorce. Not only does a divorce at the Lake of the Ozarks cause emotional damage, but it can also have a negative impact on your financial stability. Divorces cost money and it's best to find an experienced divorce attorney near the Lake of the Ozarks to look out for your best interested throughout the entire process.

If you are curious about what can affect the costs of divorce, check out a blog we did earlier this year to learn more: 5 Things that Impact the Cost of Divorce.

#3. There Are Certain Actions That Should Be Avoided

Going through the divorce process is a time of high emotion. Along with these emotions can come irrational actions. Your character is being scrutinized while going through a divorce so it's important to keep composure of your actions. As a divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, we've seen a number of cases take a turn due to the irrational action of one or both of the spouses. These common actions that should be avoided when getting a divorce at the Lake of the Ozarks:

• Believing a battle is the only way to resolve
• Pitting your children against the other parent
• Getting pregnant
• Increasing debt
• Hiding assets

It can be hard to know what to do in a divorce situation, and what actions should be avoided, but a trustworthy lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks can help. You can also refer to our previous content to get more ideas about what to avoid: Actions You Should Avoid When Getting a Divorce.

#4. Divorce Can Be Hard On Your Family

The divorce process can take a toll on everyone involved. While you may think it only affects you and your spouse, your children, friends, and family are all impacted by the process, as well. Our divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks knows how difficult this time can be and we're here to help offer some advice on how to make this process as easy as possible on your loved ones. Other aspects that can ease the burden are:

• Create open lines of communication
• Seek professional help
• Keep your priorities straight

Want to learn more about guiding your family and loved ones through this process? Check out a past blog: Tips to Make Divorce Easier on Your Family

#5. Father’s Have Rights, Too

A huge number of fathers still want to continue to be actively involved in their children’s lives even after the split. Unfortunately, many fathers don’t understand the rights that they have where their children are concerned, and sometimes they can even be overlooked by the courts. Gender bias shouldn’t exist in the courts to favor mothers over fathers, but that’s not always the case.

If you would like to learn more about a Father’s rights in a divorce situation, check out a blog we did recently: Statistics About a Father’s Rights.

Need a Divorce Lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks?

Gibbons Law Firm assists clients with all types of family law cases. We are committed to providing the legal counseling and advice that clients need in such disputes. Find out more about how we can assist you by contacting our Firm and making an appointment today, or schedule a time for a FREE consultation by calling us at 573-348-2211.

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...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Charges

When you or a loved one is faced with criminal charges, it can be hard to know how to proceed. At Gibbons Law Firm, we handle many different types of criminal defense cases at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we want to provide the persons accused of a crime with the legal protections that they are entitled to under the United States and Missouri Constitutions and the laws of this state. Here are a few frequently asked questions in regards to criminal charges to help you know how to proceed.

Q: When should I call a lawyer?
A: As soon as you become aware that the police are looking for or investigating you would be a good time to give your Lake of the Ozarks lawyer a call. Also, if you believe that you may have committed a crime, that would be an opportune time as well. A lawyer can intervene with the police to either prevent an arrest or if you are going to be arrested, arrange for your surrender at a time and in a manner that can minimize embarrassment to you or your family.

Q: If I am innocent, why do I need a lawyer?
A: Innocent people can get accused of committing crimes as well as guilty ones. Also, in some cases, people who may have committed one crime can occasionally get accused (wrongfully) of committing addition and more serious crimes. Having a lawyer can help you develop a strategy for responding to the charge.

Q: What is a civil violation?
A: This is a charge that is brought by the Prosecuting Attorney, but is civil in nature and not criminal. It can be punishable by a fine or other sanctions.

Q: What is Bail?
A: Bail money or other property that is deposited with the court is used to ensure that the person accused will return to court when they are required to do so. If the defendant returns to court as required, the bail will be returned at the end of the case, even if the defendant is convicted.

Q: What is a felony?
A: A felony is a crime that carries with it a potential sentence of at least one year and one day in prison.

Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks?

Gibbons Law Firm represents clients in all types of felony and misdemeanor cases. Roger Gibbons has successfully tried hundreds of criminal cases of all types. We are committed to providing clients with criminal defense services that will ensure their rights are protected and they are treated fairly. Find out more about how we can assist you by contacting our Firm and making an appointment today.

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...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter