Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2020 is this week. Who is excited? This is a very special holiday where families come together and celebrate what we are thankful for. That being said, as you drive to see your families this year, our personal injury attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks wish you a safe journey. Keep reading this week's blog for a few safe driving tips for Thanksgiving 2020. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, please call our Missouri personal injury attorneys today. Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at (573) 348-2211. Your first consultation is free.

Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving

Pay attention to speed limit signs.

The speed limits are there for good reason. Don't ignore them just because you are in a holiday rush. Be mindful of how fast or slow the other cars around you are going, as well. It only takes SECONDS for an accident to occur and speeding will likely only increase your chances of getting into a car accident.

Be mindful of the weather conditions and drive accordingly.

This is Missouri and the weather can be very unpredictable. No matter what the weather is doing the day you drive to see your family for Thanksgiving, be sure to be mindful of it and drive accordingly. For example, if it decides to rain heavily the day you are driving, slow down and drive cautiously.

Fill your vehicle up with gas before making a long road trip.

There's nothing worse than running out of gas when you really need to be somewhere. You never know when you may be stopped in traffic, so it's a good idea to get into the habit of filling up your vehicle with gas before making any long road trips.

Never drive while intoxicated.

Even if you are consuming alcohol at a festive Thanksgiving party, you should never drive home intoxicated. Call a Taxi or a friend to come to pick you up or ask if you can stay the night and drive sober tomorrow. The consequences of driving while intoxicated are too great to risk it.

Avoid all driving distractions.

Pay attention at all times while driving. Do not eat, text, groom yourself, email, smoke, or look down to adjust the radio while driving your vehicle.

Have a Happy, But Safe Thanksgiving From Gibbons Law Firm!

All of us here at Gibbons Law Firm would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Please be safe out on the roads. If you do find yourself in an accident caused by a negligent driver, get the compensation for your injuries that you deserve. We can help. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Lake Ozark. We 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

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Reasons To Have a Will in 2020

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that you should plan for the unexpected! This has been a tough year with everything that has happened in the world. That much is for sure. However, you can make a plan and make your wishes known if something tragic happens to you. Our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few reasons why you should have will in 2020 in this week's blog. Need help getting your will created? Call Gibbons Law Firm today! We can be reached at 573-348-2211.

Reasons To Have a Will in 2020

TO CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

If you have beneficiaries who are minors or young adults, you can line out a distribution of the trust. This can help reduce the chance of a young heir getting carried away with a large amount of money or assets. You can dictate how you would like your money to be disbursed to your underage child.

TO PREPARE FOR LIFE CHANGES THAT MAY COME YOUR WAY.

Anytime a major life change takes place, you will likely need to make updates to your estate plan. If your marital status changes - whether getting married or divorced - you should update your plan. The birth of a child is another reason you should update your estate plan. If your assets or income change drastically, it may be time to make changes, as well. The passing of a beneficiary will require a change to your plan to ensure you have all beneficiary information up to date.

Estate Planning Tips for 2020

Know That No Two Situations Are Alike When It Comes To Estate Planning.

Each situation is unique and your estate plan requirement may differ from someone else. It's not a one-size-fits-all task. Contact our Lake of the Ozarks attorney to get an estimate for your estate planning process.

Be Prepared When You Meet Your Attorney And Have All Your Financial Statements Ready.

Any financial statements from your investments and bank accounts should be gathered as you plan your estate. A complete list of your assets is also helpful. Have a good idea of who you'd like to leave each asset with ahead of time. This can help cut down on the time and help get some of the emotional details out of the way.

Ready To Get Your Will Created By A Professional?

All of us here at Gibbons Law Firm hope that you found this blog enlightening and helpful when it comes to your estate planning. We know how important it is to have a will, if you don't have one already, we strongly encourage you to get one. If you have any questions about the process, we are here to help! Please give us a call today for your free consultation. We can be reached at the phone number listed below. You can also follow us on our social media platforms listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements and 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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The Financial Demands of Divorce

Are you considering divorce? If so, this is a tough, emotional time, and our divorce lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks understand. In any case, there are a few things you should consider before proceeding. Keep reading this week's blog for a few of the possible financial demands of divorce. Need an experienced divorce attorney in Missouri? Contact Gibbons Law Firm today for a free consultation. We can be reached at 573-348-2211.

The Financial Demands of Divorce

Consider the following possible financial demand when it comes to divorce:

LEGAL FEES

It probably goes without saying, but the attorney(s) you choose to represent you in the divorce process will significantly impact the overall cost. Some attorneys are much more expensive than others, and some are guided by significantly less integrity. When selecting which Lake of the Ozarks divorce attorney you would like to represent you, it is important to choose a trustworthy individual you can rely on to keep your best interests at heart. 

SHARED INVESTMENTS

The more property and assets you and your spouse accumulated during your marriage, the more work will be involved in dividing them between you. If you only shared the marital residence, dividing the property shouldn't be too challenging. However, if you own multiple properties, share lucrative investments, and have both your names on extensive retirement accounts, the process may become much more involved.

LITIGATION FEES

This factor will likely have the strongest influence on the overall cost of your divorce. If you and your spouse can agree on how you want to handle things, you will be able to sign agreements outside of the courtroom, which will likely save you thousands of dollars. If you cannot agree on things and instead decide to take various issues to court, you will be faced with expensive litigation fees.

CHILD CUSTODY COSTS

If you and your spouse share children, your divorce will almost inevitably become more challenging (and, consequently, more expensive) as you determine how to divide custody. Custody battles are often the most highly contested aspect of any divorce, and when spouses cannot agree on an issue, the overall cost inevitably goes up. 

Get Your Divorce-Related Legal Questions Answered By An EXPERIENCED Attorney!

All of us here at Gibbons Law Firm hope that you found this blog helpful. Going through a divorce may be one of the most emotional times in your life, but you can get through this. Keep moving forward and looking ahead. If you have any questions about the legal process or costs of divorce, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Our divorce lawyers can answer your questions and give you the answers you need to make an informed decision. Getting divorced or not is not a decision you should take lightly. It is a life change that needs to be taken seriously and we can help you. For your free divorce consultation, please give us a call today. We 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 legal divorce 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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When Is It Appropriate To Fire Someone?

Have you ever had an employee join your team and at first, everything seemed great, but later on, this employee just didn't seem to work out? Tasks weren't being completed, HR issues started to arise, etc. If you can relate to this common issue, as a business owner, this is the blog for you. Our law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you some vital information on knowing when it is legally appropriate to fire someone, in this week's blog. If you have any questions on this particular issue, please call our employment lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks today. Gibbons Law Firm can be reached at 573-348-2211.

When Is It Appropriate To Fire Someone?

Certain Matters That MUST Be Present For You To Legally Fire Someone

In order to legally terminate employment, you must be able to prove that the employee was not a good fit for the company and/or that the employee was not adequately meeting the expectations set forth within the job description and requirements.

Even if you terminated employment for valid reasons, a vengeful ex-employee may be able to create a convincing workplace discrimination case if you do not have documentation to back up your decision. If you hired a replacement that was ten years younger, for example, your ex-employee may be able to build a case for age discrimination even if that was not your true reasoning or intention. This is why it is important to always preserve documentation that supports your decision to fire someone, such as: 

• Copies of emails requesting that a specific task be completed by a certain time
• Screenshots of inappropriate comments made on social media about employment

Reasons The EEOC Prohibits Employers For Firing Employees For

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has developed a list of strict rules governing employers who hire and fire employees. The EEOC is designed to protect women and minorities who, in the past, have been discriminated against in the workplace based solely on certain characteristics. In an effort to ensure that all people are treated equally, the EEOC prohibits employers from making employment decisions about existing and potential employees based upon any sort of physical, cultural, ethnic, or religious characteristic.

When You CAN'T Fire Someone

There is an employment doctrine called "employment-at-will," which essentially allows employers to fire employees whenever they wish, sometimes seemingly for no reason at all. While the employment-at-will doctrine does not require employers to have specific reasons for firing someone in some cases, there are still certain reasons that cannot be used under any circumstances. If an employee can make a case for their termination being tied to one of these invalid reasons, the employer may face serious legal repercussions. For example, you cannot terminate employment because:

• Your employee is over a certain age.
• Your employee belongs to a different nationality.
• Your employee is a woman or another minority.
• Your employee follows a different religion than you do.
• Your employee revealed your company's illegal practices to local

Also, employment decisions may not be used as a form of sexual harassment (e.g., terminating employment because your employee refused your request to go out on a date). You also cannot fire someone for "whistle blowing" - in order words, someone who reveals your company's illegal practices to the local authorities.

Employment Lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks

If you have questions about whether or not you are legally allowed to fire an employee for certain reasons, we urge you to talk to an employment lawyer first, before making any major decision. It is important that you cover yourself legally and make sure you're not making a mistake before firing an employee. That's where we come in. Our employment lawyers in Lake Ozark can answer any questions you may have and put you at ease. Give us a call today. We can be reached at 573-348-2211. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels listed below to stay up to date on our latest announcements and 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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