Friday, January 31, 2020

4 Factors That Indicate You Should NOT Be Driving

You should always designate a sober driver if you plan to go anywhere and drink. You should never drink too much and try to drive home, no matter what the circumstances are. Mistakes happen and too many people have made the mistake of drinking and driving before. If you've made the mistake of drinking and driving and are faced with a DWI, we urge you to contact our DWI lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks. You will need an experienced Lake Ozark attorney to represent you and Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at (573) 348-2211 for a consultation. Don't drink and drive - that may sound like an obvious statement, but history proves it's not so obvious to some drivers. Keep reading this week's blog for a few reasons why you shouldn't try to get behind a wheel if you are intoxicated or have just been drinking and are feeling slightly buzzed.



4 Factors That Indicate You Should NOT Be Driving


1. You're not thinking at your best.
When drinking, your judgment may be impaired. This is not a good attribute of a driver. Your judgment of traffic and other situations on the roadway may be hindered if you have alcohol in your system.

2. You're not moving as quickly as you normally would.
Alcohol can inhibit the time it takes for you to react to a situation. If you are operating a vehicle, you may not have the same reaction time as you would sober. If someone in front of you stops abruptly, you may not be able to get your vehicle stopped in time. If a deer jumps out in the road, you will likely not be able to react in a timely manner to avoid the animal. Swerving may be your instinct and this can lead to overcorrecting or travel off the road.

3. Your motor skills are likely off.
Your coordination may be impaired when driving under the influence of alcohol. It may make it difficult to navigate the roadway safely. Staying between the lines can be difficult for someone who has been drinking. Coordination is a vital part of safely operating a vehicle.

4. You may not be seeing clearly.
Road lights, signs, and other car's headlights can all blur together if you have been drinking. Many times a drunk driver will subconsciously drive toward a light that catches their eye. This can lead to a very dangerous situation on the road, especially with oncoming traffic.

Contact Gibbons Law Firm for a DWI Consultation.


If it's your first consultation, it's completely free. We don't charge anything for the first consultation. This gives you the chance to get your questions answered. This process can be scary and you may think that you automatically have no way out of this DWI, but believe it or not, things can be challenged in a DWI case and you should know all your options before assuming the worst. 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. Give us a call 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

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Friday, January 24, 2020

3 Questions To Ask Yourself If Considering Divorce

Divorce is not a decision to be made lightly. Our divorce lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks can tell you that it can change your life forever. That being said, sometimes divorce is the necessary choice for some married people. If you are considering a divorce, we strongly encourage you to contact an experienced divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks first, before making any irrational decisions. Call Gibbons Law Firm today for your free consultation. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211. In the meantime, keep reading this week's blog for a few questions to ask yourself if you are considering divorce.


3 Questions To Ask Yourself If Considering Divorce


1. Have you tried working your issues out amongst yourselves?
You don't want to go through the painful process that divorce can be and feel like you made the wrong decision. It's wise to pursue every available option to work out your marriage first just so that you are certain when you choose to divorce, that it was the right call for you and your family. You should do what's best for your specific situation but just be prepared and armed with all of the available information.

2. What is your plan post-divorce for your children?
If you are considering divorce you should know now that the court rules in the best interest of the children. Whatever you may be envisioning for your kids, you need to be realistic and communicate with your ex because your plan may not align with what is best for your kids.

3. What are your financial concerns regarding divorce?
There are many different types of marriages, some where both parents and some where one parent works and the other gives up his or her job to stay home to care for your small children. If you give up your job for your kids and then you get divorced, you may be concerned about how you will support yourself and your children. If this sounds like your situation, you should ask your divorce lawyer in Mid-MO about alimony and what your chances are of getting it.


No one ever really plans for their divorce to end in marriage. It's sad that about fifty percent of marriages end in divorce today, but the facts are that they do. If you're afraid your marriage is about to end in a divorce and have a ton of questions about what you should do next, call Gibbons Law Firm today. Your first consultation is free and you will likely feel more prepared if you at least get your many questions answered by someone who can guide you through this. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211. You can also follow us on all of our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on all of 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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Friday, January 17, 2020

Child Custody Planning Tips for Unmarried Parents

You never know what may happen in life. Not all families are formed after marriage, some start well before marriage. Our child custody lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you by giving you a few child custody planning tips for unmarried parents in this week's blog. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free consultation regarding your child custody plan, please call Gibbons Law Firm today at (573) 348-2211.


Child Custody Planning Tips for Unmarried Parents


Agree on the last name you give your child.
Since you and your partner are not married, you likely don't have the same last name, so how do you decide on what last name to give your child? Many couples will either give one of their last names to the child or one of their last names can be the child's last name and the other last name can be the child's middle name. The point here is to make sure you both agree on what the child's last name will be.

Make sure that both parents are on the birth certificate.
You'll want to put both your names on the birth certificate. This can ensure that you both have parental rights, such as visitation rights, custody rights, and child support.

Consider adoption if you are married to one of the biological parents.
In some cases, two people will have a baby but choose not to stay together, but then one of those parents will get married and that spouse would like to be a parent. Many times the court will approve of this is they are married and may be more difficult if not.

Be sure to claim your child on your taxes.
It makes the most sense for the parent who has the highest income to claim the child on their taxes.

Know your rights if you and your unmarried partner break up.
If two unmarried, biological parents of a child break up, they both still have the right to pursue custody.


Family Lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks


All of us here at Gibbons Law Firm hope you found this blog helpful. No one person can plan their life out exactly. Family Law deals with issues arising from marriage and other 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. Other related aspects of family law include adoptions, annulments, guardianships, paternity cases, termination of parental rights, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We can help you with all of this and more. Call Gibbons Law Firm today for your free consultation. We can be reached at (573) 348-2211. Gibbons Law Firm assists clients with all types of family law cases and we would be happy to help you with yours.


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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Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Safe Driving Tips for 2020

You should always designate a sober driver if you know you will be out somewhere drinking. DWIs at the Lake of the Ozarks happen and it's a very serious offense. With there being a huge Mardi Gras Pub Crawl coming up, we want to point out the safe driving options to get home or to your nearest lodging facility for the night. Our Camden County attorneys are also here to give you a few safe driving tips for the New Year! For your free DWI consultation, please call Gibbons Law Firm today at 573-348-2211.


Source: http://lakepubcrawl.com/

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl - The World's Largest Pub Crawl!
DATE : Saturday - February 8, 2020
TIME : Busses Start at 4:00 PM (VIP Shuttle Service Available too!)
COST : $10 Wrist Band

The wrist band is required and includes:

  • Entry to 16 participating venues
  • Unlimited entertainment – All locations will have band or DJ
  • Bus transportation to all 16 locations.
  • Pick up and drop off at participating Hotels/Motels.
  • Wrist bands can be purchased the night of the event or before the event at all 16 participating 

THE SAFE DRIVING OPTION FOR THE PUB CRAWL

23 total buses run from 4:00pm til 2:30am and will get you to and from your designated lodging facilities with no need to drive. Hotel shuttles are provided to get your crawl started and route buses stop at every location on the crawl.

If you live nearby and need a sober ride home versus one of the participating hotels, plan ahead and ask a sober friend to come to pick you up or call a taxi. Check HERE for a few taxi options at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Safe Driving Tips for 2020

  • Travel at a safe speed and obey the traffic signs at all times.
  • Be aware of weather conditions and travel safely and accordingly.
  • If possible, don't risk driving on ice. If you don't have a choice, then drive as slowly and cautiously as possible.
  • Wear your seatbelt at all times and be sure that your passengers put theirs on as well.
  • ALWAYS designate a sober driver if you are intoxicated and can't drive.



Always Designate a Sober Driver!

Our DWI lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks can tell you that some pretty horrific accidents at the Lake have happened and were caused by drunk driving. You should always have a sober driver. The consequences are severe for drunk driving, which is why you should have an EXPERIENCED DWI attorney who can walk you through your legal options. 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. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can assist you. We can be reached 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

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Friday, January 10, 2020

Estate Planning Tips for Millennials

While estate planning is important no matter what age you are, many who are at a younger age, such as Millennials, can tend to put their estate planning efforts on hold until they are older. Our estate planning lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to urge you to get your estate plan together as soon as possible. You never know what is going to happen in life and the sooner you get a plan in place, the sooner you won't have to worry about it anymore. You also need to keep your plan updated as your life changes. For example, if you get married and have children and you put in your estate plan that you would like your spouse's mother to the be the guardian but then she passes away or you get divorced and change your mind, then you need to update your will with the current guardian you are choosing. Gibbons Law Firm is here to give more estate planning tips for Millennials in this week's blog. If you have any questions, please give us a call today at 573-348-2211 for your free consultation.


Estate Planning Tips for Millennials


You have the opportunity to include your partner in your plan.
Many millennials are waiting until later in life to get married or are just not getting married at all. Cohabitation can be a big trend too, where partners will live together and be in a long-lasting relationship but they don't get married. If you want to leave some of your priceless possessions to your significant other, an estate plan can allow for that to happen.

Protect your children in the event of your untimely passing.
A will allows you to name a guardian to care for your minor children in the event you pass away. While no one wants to think about their death, wouldn't you rather have a say in who cares for your children if you are no longer able to?

Donate to your favorite charity.
It has become a trend where you can leave some of your assets to your favorite charity upon your passing. Ask your estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks about this during your consultation if it's something you are interested in.

Protect the business you have worked so hard to create.
You can leave behind detailed instructions for what happens to your business and how you would like that handled in your will.



All of us here at Gibbons Law Firm hope you found this blog enlightening. Again, we urge you to make an estate plan, if you haven't already. You can never predict what's going to happen in life and no one ever knows when it's their time to go. We are here for you. Give us a call today to get your estate plan created, we can be reached at 573-348-2211. You can also follow us on our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on all 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...