Wednesday, June 29, 2022

When Prenuptials May Be Right for You

Many people don’t think about the legal aspects of getting married. If you were going to have a business partnership, you wouldn’t think twice about having a contract that outlined what would happen if you dissolve the business partnership. But even though over half of all marriages end in divorce, some people are hesitant to think about why prenuptials could be a good idea. They can potentially take a lot of uncertainty and pressure off the couple getting married. They can also provide more security for kids you may have from a prior marriage. You are the only one that can make the decision on whether prenuptials are right for you. That is why it’s good have an understanding of when they might apply to your circumstances. If you’d like to hear five common reasons when prenuptials can be beneficial, keep reading his blog.

1) Kids

Prenuptials may make sense if you have children from a previous marriage. There may be things that have been passed down through generations in your family to which your children have sentimental attachment. But they will have no value to your fiancé‘s children. By having a prenuptial agreement you can look out for your children’s interests and make them feel more protected and comfortable with you remarrying. Our attorneys in mid-Missouri are able to provide the information you need to make the best decision for you and your kids.

2) Debt

If your fiancé has a large debt burden that you do not want to be responsible for if you are not married, prenuptials might be the answer. If you are not comfortable being responsible for debt that you did not create, especially if you and your fiancé are no longer together, talk to our family law attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks to learn more about getting a formal prenuptial agreement.

3) Business

If you own your own business you might have a good reason to consider a prenuptial. After all, you have put your all into it building a name for yourself, establishing a clientele, and creating a livelihood for yourself from the ground up. If you have business partners other than your spouse, they may want you to have a prenuptial as well, in order to protect their business interest with you.

4) Income

If your income is significantly higher than your fiancé’s, it might make sense to have a prenuptial agreement. You have every reason to share your assets fully with your spouse. But if you are not together anymore, would you be fine with paying alimony if required to? It might be worth taking the time for a free consultation with our lawyers in Lake Ozark to learn more about prenuptial agreements in mid-Missouri

5) Inheritance/Retirement

Do you have a retirement or a potentially significant inheritance? Then prenuptials could be a good idea for you. Obviously you would want your future spouse to benefit from your retirement or inheritance as a married couple, but would you want to share it with them if you were no longer together? Would the loved one leaving in the inheritance want part of it to go to them if they were no longer with you, or would they rather it go to you or your children? 

Making an Informed Decision

Whether or not to get prenuptials is a decision only you can make. But it’s good to have the facts when making such an important decision. It has a lot to do with your individual circumstances and your personal risk tolerance. If you would like to sit down for a free initial consultation, we would be happy to look into your circumstances and give you the information you need to make a more informed decision. Just call (573) 348-2211 to schedule your appointment. We also will be posting additional helpful information to our social media channels regularly. If you’d like to stay in touch with Gibbons Law Firm, be sure to follow us on your favorite platform using the links 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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Thursday, June 23, 2022

5 of the Most Common Reasons People Contact Gibbons Law Firm

There are many different reasons people seek the legal services of Gibbons Law Firm. Roger Gibbons is an experienced lawyer and litigator who is committed to clear communication and providing sound advice as he guides his clients through difficult legal issues.  Roger Gibbons has represented a variety of clients including individuals, employees, builders, contractors, homeowners, lenders, small businesses, subcontractors, municipalities, and other government entities. If you are curious what the top 5 reason are why people seek the legal services of our Lake Ozark law firm, we have them for you in this week’s blog.  

Business 

Setting up and running a business can involve a lot of legal questions. Many of those questions are specific to the type of business you are in and having the right legal guidance from the very beginning is critical. An experienced business law attorney at Lake of the Ozarks will know how you should structure your business with consideration for legal liability and tax implications, etc. They can also write contracts between business partners, the business and vendors or employees, and more. Your business attorney can provide legal guidance when it comes to having employees such as hiring, firing, and workman’s comp. Businesses even seek legal advice when it comes to collections when clients won’t pay. 

Estate Planning

Everyone knows they should put their affairs in order in case something unexpected were to happen to them. But many people don’t know where to start and can find the process overwhelming. Or worse, they take care of some parts of their estate planning but leave out other key parts. Our estate planning attorneys in mid-Missouri will look at things like guardianship for children, where your assets will go, if you need a trust, writing a will, establishing a durable power of attorney, etc. Gibbons Law Firm can make sure every piece of the puzzle is in place to document your wishes and make them legally binding.   

Personal Injury

When someone sustains a serious injury in an accident, they really should have the support of a skilled personal injury attorney who can look at the situation and assess whether they may have a case for seeking compensation. That is why many of our clients have contacted our personal injury lawyers at Lake of the Ozarks. When a victim is facing stacking medical bills and limitations in their ability to work, they need someone on their side to fight for them while they focus on healing and trying to adjust to a life-changing injury. 

Criminal Charges

Some people contact our law firm because they find themselves facing criminal charges. Sometimes they are minor charges, sometimes they are very serious charges. Either way, it is essential that the person being charged knows their rights and has legal guidance as soon as possible after being charged and throughout the entire process. 

Family Law

Many of the aspects of family law we handle are related to divorce. From the dissolution of marriage itself and division of assets; to establishment of or changes in things like custody, child support, visitation, etc. But in addition, our family law attorneys in central Missouri can assist you with adoption, and guardianship not related to divorce (e.g. adults, foster children, etc.).  


Gibbons Law Firm Can Help with YOUR Legal Questions, Too!


No matter the legal issue at hand, when a person contacts Gibbons Law Firm, they know they will be dealing with someone who cares about providing clear and accurate information. When you need legal guidance in order to make an informed decision when facing a difficult challenge, Roger Gibbons has the expertise you can rely one. Your initial consultation is free, all you have to do is call and make an appointment. To hear more tips and information about various legal topics, we invite you 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

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Thursday, June 16, 2022

Knowing What to Do Right After A Car Accident

Being in a car accident can be a very traumatizing thing to experience. Even being in a little fender bender, can make it hard to focus at the time. A major accident can be completely rattling. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s important to have a good personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks. It is critical that you know your rights and have someone that will help you through the case so you can focus on getting well. Your initial consultation at our Lake Ozark law office is free. So give us a call at 573-348-2211 to learn more about your rights when it comes to your personal injury case.

In case you are ever in a car accident at Lake of the Ozarks, we wanted to share some tips on what to do because if you’re prepared ahead of time, you may be able to get through the situation more easily. With road conditions at Lake of the Ozarks, there may be a little recourse if someone is distracted or using bad judgment. We have blind curves and hills, and many roads with no shoulders, so even a fraction of a second of inattention can lead to a devastating car accident. If you want to be more prepared in case you ever are in a car accident so you know what to do, we wrote this blog for you.

Survey the Scene

Right after an accident, the most important thing to do is look around and survey the scene for safety. Make sure you’re OK, everyone else is OK, and look out for traffic. If it’s possible to move your car to the side of the road or out of the trafficway it is best to do so. If you have to leave your car in the roadway, call a tow truck immediately and do not stay in your car. Get as far away from traffic as possible and watch traffic carefully the whole time. The last thing you want to see happen is to cause or be in a secondary accident because of the first one.

Call First Responders

Obviously, you will need to call 911 so a police officer can evaluate the situation and make a police report. You will want to get a copy of that accident report once it is finished, for your own records and for your insurance company. It is also important to make sure everyone receives medical attention if they need it. Calling the ambulance will not only bring medical professionals to help, but it will also be a process that will document the injuries sustained.

Further Documentation

As soon as you can, start taking notes and writing down everything you can remember about what happened. Take pictures while you’re at the scene, write down what you saw or heard. Note any factors or conditions like other traffic, weather, or road hazards that could have played a part in the accident. The more details you can gather the better, and the sooner you get them the better. Your memory will likely  fade over time so record this information while it is fresh in your mind.

Call Your Insurance Representative

This is another thing you want to do as soon as possible because that is how you will get the claims process started. Your insurance company will guide you through the process from there.

Know your Rights

When you’ve been in a car accident it is important to have experienced legal representation to look out for you and your rights. No doubt, you will have questions about the whole situation and the course of action you should take. Our law firm in Lake Ozark is experienced in fighting personal injury cases and we are dedicated to helping you through the process to get the compensation you are due. Gibbons Law Firm has successfully represented many clients and we are available to help you, too. We can carry the load of dealing with your court case, while you focus on the task of healing and getting well. If you are suffering with a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, we encourage you to reach out to our mid-Missouri Law Firm for a free initial consultation. If you found this blog helpful, and would like to hear more tips and insights on legal issues at Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to use the links below to follow us on social media.


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 10, 2022

Low-Cost No-Drama Divorces ARE Possible: Here is How

If you are in the planning stages of going through a divorce, we know there’s a lot to consider. It can be overwhelming at times, especially when you start thinking about the uncertainty of the future. There are a lot of variables on how the divorce may go, and those variables can affect your daily life. On top of that there’s the emotion of the broken relationship and how that could potentially affect family relationships as well. At Gibbons Law Firm, we are very sensitive to how difficult it is to go through a divorce. We also are experienced enough to know there are some ways that you can make it easier on yourself, and achieve a more successful outcome. In this week's blog, we want to share with you a few tips to keep in mind that could potentially make your divorce go more smoothly, and therefore be quicker and more affordable in the long run. To hear what they are, just keep reading. 

Decide for yourself

It is usually best for the couple to be able to work out the outcome of the divorce together, rather than letting the courts do it. If the court gets involved, it will look at a number of different things to decide how your assets are divided as well as custody issues. The court will look at things such as your income, each spouse's earning potential, and how both of you handle your finances during the marriage. This can lead to a complicated, drawn out, and potentially expensive process. Although it may not be 100% to your liking, if you have a mindset to look for common ground and to look for a mutually agreeable conclusion, it may be better for you in the end. Obviously, if you are getting a divorce, there may be some difficulty in working out disagreements, but in the long-run it can save both you and your estranged spouse the time and cost of letting the court make that decision. So there is incentive for both parties to make the effort to work together. 

Consider Your Goals

At the end of the process, your goal is to be divorced, to walk away with a fair settlement, and to be able to move forward in life in a positive way. Sometimes, people are so hurt that they react to the divorce process as though it is an opportunity to prove who is right and wrong, or seek vindication. But the divorce process is not about that. No matter how valid they may be, if you focus on all the reasons you’re getting divorced, and the things that were unfair and hurtful to you, it can actually be a major hindrance to your goal of walking away with a fair settlement. The key is to approach your divorce proceedings with more of a business mindset, and a focus on what you want the end outcome to be. It’s not about digging up past wrongs, it is about setting the stage for your future.

Communicate Clearly and Purposefully

This one can be a challenge, but can be so important when it comes to a successful outcome. Again, this is not a time to think about all the reasons you’re getting divorced. It is about finding a path forward. So, if you can keep your communication clear and focus on the purpose of your end goal, it is more likely to go peacefully and smoothly. Obviously, in some divorces, the relationship is so strained, it can make that kind of communication almost impossible. But that is what your divorce attorney at Lake of the Ozarks is for. Instead, communicate clearly with your attorney, let your attorney know your purpose and what you would like to achieve as an end goal. A skilled attorney can then negotiate with your spouse or their attorneys to help you achieve that purpose. When you’re able to clearly state your position and avoid rehashing the same painful issues, your attorney can take that and fight on your behalf. So stay focused on the path forward, and let your attorney structure your divorce settlement with those purposes in mind.

Gibbons Law Firm is Here to Help You Through

Our divorce attorneys in mid-Missouri know that this is a difficult time for you, and we want to help make it as easy as possible. We also want to help you set yourself up for success in your future endeavors. We have learned from experience that having the right mindset and communication style can make or break the outcome of your divorce. If you are facing a divorce in the near future, we want you to know that we offer free initial consultations at our law office in Lake Ozark. We will be more than willing to sit down with you, talk about your goals, your rights, and what you want to achieve in your divorce agreement. Just give us a call at (573) 348-2211 to schedule a free consultation. Don't forget to follow us on our social media channels using the links below to stay in touch and hear more information and helpful legal tips from Gibbons Law Firm.


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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Estate Planning For Single Parents - 3 Things to Think About

Being a parent is a full-time job. Being a single parent is so much more. We understand your child depends on you for everything, and that’s enough to keep you busy. We also know it is really common for single parents to have so many tasks on their plate, they don’t get around to estate planning. In fact, it can be uncomfortable to even think about. Especially when you know how much your child relies on you. But that is all the more reason that it has to be done. If anything were to happen to you, having a will in place and your wishes documented can make the situation much better, and less traumatic for your child. 

At Gibbons Law Firm, we understand it can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. We can help you through the process and make it easier for you to get it done. It’s a great feeling when you know you have taken the steps to look out for your child in the event that you aren’t here to do it personally. If you’d like to know more about estate planning at Lake of the Ozarks as a single parent, we have three things to think about to get you started in today’s blog.

Life insurance

You know from experience that the cost of raising a child is not cheap. Your child will still have the same expenses no matter who is raising them. Having financial security can help ensure that your child will not do without things that he or she is used to having. Knowing that things like school expenses, healthcare, clothing, and other necessities are provided for can bring a lot of peace of mind to a single parent. It is also important for you to know that the money will go towards your child, and that when your child has access to the money directly they are of an age to be financially responsible. At Gibbons Law Firm, we are experienced in estate planning and can help you document how and when the money will be used, and when it will be made available directly to your child.

Guardianship

This is usually the hardest one to decide and the hardest thing to think about for any parent. But it is especially important for the single parent. If your child’s other parent is deceased, or not able or willing to raise your child, you want to be the one to decide who will. It is usually assumed that it will be a family member like a parent or sibling who will be chosen. But it can also be a close friend. You want to think about who will share the same parenting style, philosophies, and home environment as you. You want someone who will consider your child’s safety and look out for their future. The more congruous the guardian’s lifestyle and parenting style is with yours, the easier it is likely to be for your child to adjust to. Obviously, you will need to have a conversation with that person before making your decision and documenting it so you know that they are in agreement and able to take on the responsibility of raising your child.

Last Will

If you do not have a will, it will be up to the state to decide all of these matters. For that reason, having a will made at Lake of the Ozarks is arguably the most important thing you can do. You don’t want the court to make such critical decisions as who your child will live with and what they will inherit. Our estate planning attorneys in mid-Missouri can help keep those decisions in your hands.

Let Gibbons Help You Get This Done. 

As hard as you work to take care of your child, to look out for them and provide for them, you know you have the heart to do what’s right for them. Let us help you get this task done, so you know your child will be in the best possible position if the unthinkable happens. We can make the process easier for you at our law office in Lake Ozark. We are here to answer your questions and walk you through the process step-by-step. You don’t have to put it off any longer, and you don’t have to figure it out for yourself. Just give us a call and schedule your free initial consultation. We look forward to helping you.  Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media using the links below to hear more tips and information about various legal topics from our mid-Missouri law firm.


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...