Small Business Owners - Do YOU Have a Trusted Attorney? 5 Ways Gibbons Can Help.

For about three decades now, Roger Gibbons has been working with small business owners, contractors, trades people and more to provide sound legal advice in the areas of business and corporate law, construction law, contracts, employment law, landlord tenant law, land-use and zoning, real estate laws, Worker’s Compensation, and even accident/personal injury law. Roger is able to bring a diverse legal background to help his clients with all the legal issues they could face as small business owners in mid-Missouri. Over the years he has helped builders, contractors, small businesses, subcontractors, and more. Roger has a great respect for entrepreneurs and a passion to help them succeed. By knowing the legal risks, and safeguards related to your particular business, Roger can help you position yourself in the best way possible. In today’s blog, we wanted to share some of the most common ways small businesses can benefit from experienced legal advice when forming and operating their business. If you are a small business owner or thinking about starting your own business, we wrote this blog for you!

1) Contracts

Most businesses will deal with contracts on a fairly regular basis. You may have contracts with your clients, you may have contracts with different vendors, and you may even have contracts between you and your business partners. It can be tempting to try and save some money by using an online legal service, or even cookie cutter contracts that you just fill in. But your contracts are not a formality, they are legal agreements that will determine what you are able to enforce or what you are liable for should something happen in the future. It is definitely advisable to have those contracts specifically drawn up for your business, your situation, and your location rather than using a generic form. It is well worth the investment considering the risk you’re taking otherwise.

2) Structuring Your Business

Whether you decide to be a sole proprietorship, or an LLC will have a direct effect on your legal safeguards as well as your tax liability. To decide the best structure requires knowledge of your business and knowledge of the legal aspects of the different structures. Roger Gibbons has the legal understanding of the structures and how they will affect you, and after sitting down and talking with you about your business, he can help you decide on the one that will protect you from liability as much as possible, but still give you the safeguards you need as a business owner.

3) Employment Law

There are a lot of legal considerations when it comes to having employees. Again, you want employment contracts that are based on sound legal advice and specific to your business and industry. In addition, just understanding your legal responsibilities when it comes to hiring and firing and knowing how to stay compliant with regulations and laws that you are subject to as an employer is critical to your business. One legal mistake can be devastatingly costly. You are an expert in your field, we are experts in the legal field when it comes to issues of employment law. So, choose an attorney knowledgeable in employment law in Missouri to look out for you and prevent costly problems in the future.

4) Worker’s Compensation

Employers want their employees to be safe on the job, and employees deserve not to be seriously injured while at work. It takes everyone’s effort working together to create a safe work environment. Legally, you want to understand your responsibilities, and you want your employees to understand theirs. Sometimes employees think rules are just to protect the employer but some things that are required for safety are to protect the employees too. Roger Gibbons can help you understand how to look out for yourself, and how to prevent injuries and liabilities with your employees.

5) Landlord-Tenant Law

The above areas apply to landlord-tenant law too. Having a specific contract that clearly outlines the responsibilities and expectations for both parties can make the chances of compliance and enforcement much more realistic. Having a skilled landlord-tenant attorney at Lake of the Ozarks can prevent a lot of headaches and help create a clear understanding between you and your tenants which can contribute to better long-term relationships and profit margins as well. Let us help you maintain a profitable business, by running it in a way that is clear and understandable for everyone involved.

Gibbons Law Firm – Looking Out for the Small Business Owner

As a small business owner, we know you have a specific vision and talent that you offer to the world. You shouldn’t have to be distracted from that to deal with legal issues. That is our world. We are here and happy to help you, and we have the knowledge and legal background to guide you in the right direction. There are a lot of decisions to be made, but when you have an experienced attorney on your team, those decisions are much easier to feel solid about, and much safer to rely on if they ever come to the test. So, if you are a small business owner, or thinking about starting your own business in Central Missouri, we invite you to schedule a free initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm. We would love to get to know you and hear more about your vision, and help you bring it to life. If you found this blog helpful and would like to hear more legal tips and information from our law firm in Lake Ozark, we have links below for you to follow us on your favorite social media platform.

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 Why YOU May Need to Update Your Will

Having your will made may feel like a major undertaking, but with the proper legal help it doesn’t have to be overwhelming at all. Once you have your will made, it is also important to keep it updated. Many people put it away and don’t think about it once they have it drawn up. But there are several life circumstances that will trigger a need for you to update your will. Usually those are circumstances that keep you pretty busy and the last thing you think of is having your will updated. So we wanted to give you some ideas in today’s blog so you can be prepared and recognize when it’s time to update your will.

Having a Child

Having a child can change a lot of things, and it definitely will affect your estate planning. It may trigger you into thinking about things like life insurance, and also your will. Even if you already have children, when you have another child you want to make sure they are included in your will and your estate plan.

Your Child Turns 18

When your child has their 18th birthday, they will legally be considered an adult. So, when your child is approaching their 18th birthday and getting ready to graduate, make an appointment with your estate planning attorney Lake of the Ozarks to make sure you have considered how that will affect your will and estate plan. For instance, you will no longer need to include plans for guardianship for your adult child past their 18th birthday. 

Grandkids

Once you experience the joy of having grandchildren, there’s no doubt you’ll want to include them in your will. This can include financial assets, and sentimental heirlooms. If it is your wish that grandkids receive certain parts of your estate, Gibbons Law Firm can make sure they are included in your will and your wishes are known.

Change in Beneficiary

If something happens to your beneficiary, and they pass away, you will need to update your will to name a new beneficiary. That can be a very sad and devastating situation, and we will help you through that with understanding and compassion at a time of loss for you.

Charity Donation

If you have become very involved with a charity organization since your will was last drawn up, you may want to update your will to include that charity in your estate plan. That is definitely something that we can help you with.

Keep Your Will Up-to-Date

Life changes happen, and some of them will affect your estate planning and choices regarding your will. It’s easy to let a will become outdated, life is busy and it’s not exactly the first thing we think about every day. But that is why we wanted to share this blog with you. Just having it top of mind that when certain situations happen in life, you should give us a call to bring your will up-to-date at Lake of the Ozarks. It doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact, we make it easy for you. So, if you have experienced one of these life-changing circumstances since the last time you updated your will, give us a call and we’ll get you taken care of. If you enjoyed this blog and would like to hear more tips and information from Gibbons Law Firm, we have links to our social media channels below so you can follow us on your favorite platform.

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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Legal Tips for Landlords at Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks is in need of more rental housing, there is no doubt about that. Gibbons Law Firm wants to encourage you if are considering becoming a landlord at the Lake of the Ozarks. It can be a great way to create an income stream and provide much-needed housing for the area. But there are certain legal issues that are involved when it comes to getting into the rental business at Lake of the Ozarks. Having a relationship with an experienced landlord-tenant lawyer at Lake of the Ozarks can be a huge asset in your rental business. If you are curious about what legal issues you might need to be prepared for, and how our law firm in Lake Ozark could help, we will describe 3 for you in today’s blog.

1) Contracts

It all starts with a properly drawn up lease agreement. You want your tenants to know exactly what their rights and responsibilities are, and as a landlord, you want to know what your rights and responsibilities are as well. When these things are clearly lined out for both parties, it makes compliance and enforcement much more successful. By having an experienced attorney in mid-Missouri draw up your lease agreement, you can be in the best possible position if you ever have to enforce that legal document. Some things that your lease agreement should specify Include the exact terms of the lease, precisely who the tenants are, what the payment amounts and due dates are, as well as deposits, fees, fines, etc. When you work with Gibbons Law Firm, you can rest assured that your lease agreement will include everything it should clearly and specifically.

2) Eviction

Unfortunately, sometimes it becomes necessary for a landlord to evict a tenant. It is not a fun situation, and can be quite stressful, especially depending on your contracts and the way you go about the eviction process. Both parties have rights and it’s important that you take the correct steps in the right order to be successful with an eviction. We can help you handle that situation legally and effectively.

3) Property Damage

This can go both ways. Sometimes tenants create significant damage during the course of time they are renting. If you experience major property damage because of your tenants, we highly recommend seeking the help of a tenant landlord attorney to analyze the situation and see if you have a case. We can also guide you through the process of seeking compensation. In addition, a landlord-tenant attorney can provide legal guidance if you have a tenant that claims they have suffered property damage because of e.g. an unsafe environment, or something like a leaky roof. They can walk you through the process to assess your responsibility or legal liability, and proper course of action. Gibbons Law Firm can help you through this scenario if you ever face it.

Get the Guidance You Need at Gibbons

In general, it’s just really a good idea to have a relationship with a landlord tenant attorney if you are thinking about getting into the rental business. Having a local attorney with the knowledge to guide you in the variety of legal issues you may face as a landlord is not only an asset to your rental business, it is a load off your mind allowing you to focus on your business rather than worry about legalities. We do offer free initial consultations, so if you’d like to come in and get to know us and learn a little bit more about the legal issues you want to be prepared for as a landlord, we invite you to give us a call and schedule an appointment. Would love to sit down and talk with you. If you enjoyed this blog and would like to hear more legal tips and information from our law firm, we have links below for you 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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What YOU can do to Fight a Personal Injury Case Successfully!

Dealing with a personal injury as a result of someone else’s actions or inactions can be a very overwhelming situation. You have to deal with your physical injury and everything it takes for you to recover. You also have to deal with the financial burden of not being able to work. On top of that, you have the stress of the unknown regarding your personal injury case. As personal injury attorneys in mid-Missouri, we are advocates for those who have been injured, and we understand how important it is that you have a successful outcome to your case. We know victims can feel very helpless during a time like this, but there are things that you can empower yourself to do that will help your case and your future. So, we wanted to share five things in today’s blog that you can do to help your personal injury case at Lake of the Ozarks.

1) Seek Medical Care Immediately

Many people will self-assess and think they are just fine after an accident. They just think they may be sore or shook up, but not actually injured. But it is actually possible to have broken bones and not know it for days. So, it is essential that you do seek professional medical care to make sure you don’t have injuries that you are not aware of. Another important reason to seek professional medical care is so that your injuries can be documented officially. That may become very important to your personal injury case later. In addition, you want to be sure that you follow the advice of your medical professionals. You don’t want an insurance attorney trying to make you look as though you were causing your own limitations or not helping your own situation. By following medical advice, you will show that you’re doing everything you can to improve your situation, and you will effectively highlight the genuine limitations that have been created by your injury.

2) Know Your Rights

The earlier you can seek legal advice the better. Your personal injury attorney at Lake of the Ozarks will want to start investigating as soon as possible to find out exactly what happened so they can start building your case. Memories fade with time, so it’s best to interview and gather information as early as possible. You also want to stay in touch with your attorney throughout the case and keep them informed of any changes when it comes to your medical conditions or your abilities to work. Your attorney should be considered a partner with you throughout the whole process during your personal injury case. They are there to look out for your best interest, so you want to work with them and cooperate with them as a team.

3) Journal and Document Your Journey

You’re going to go through a lot during this time. There will be a lot of discussions related to your health and the accident that caused your injury. First of all, you want to remember everything you can at the time of the injury. What happened, what conditions may have contributed to it, who did what, etc. It will be hard to remember those things later, so you want to write it down as soon as possible. Then your recovery process will have a story of its own. When you get news from the doctor or you get results from a test, you want to document that and journal it so none of it is forgotten. You want every detail possible available for your attorney to use, so put it on paper and take notes after every doctor visit, every meeting related to your injury, and every conversation with your insurance company.

4) Have Your Attorney Present When Giving Statements

You want to be very careful about what you say to anyone and everyone during your personal injury case. Gibbons Law Firm knows exactly what kind of things can be used against a claimant in a personal injury case. We also know the techniques that are used to try to get people to say things that can be construed as guilt or responsibility. That is why you should always have your attorney with you when giving statements so they can help you avoid being drawn in to saying something that could be a detriment to your own case.

5) Be Honest, But Don't Volunteer Information

It’s a good rule of thumb not to volunteer any information regarding your case, especially before it is settled. Talking about any details regarding how the accident happened, your pain, your injuries, or even an inspirational quote on social media saying how you are persevering and rising above the challenge, can be misconstrued as though the injury is really not affecting you as much as it is. It really is best just to not talk about your case, even with friends and extended family. Don’t volunteer information. On the flipside, when you do need to share the facts on your injuries, your limitations, your pain, and the cause of the accident, you want to be very clear and forthcoming and honest. Don’t exaggerate, don’t underestimate, just be factual.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with Gibbons Law Firm!

Our attorneys in Lake Ozark have a special heart for people who are suffering with injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. We know how important it is for you to have a successful settlement in order for you to move forward with your life and reclaim some of what was lost. We know how critical it is for personal injury victims to be informed of their rights and to have guidance through the process. So, we want you to remember we offer free initial consultations. Just give us a call and set up an appointment to learn more about what your rights are and what your course of action should be. We look forward to meeting with you and helping you through this difficult time. We also want you to know that you do not have to have money for us to represent you. We do most of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we will be paid when you win your case. Don’t go this alone, and don’t just suffer with your injuries. Talk to Gibbons Law Firm, and let us help make a game plan for you. If you found this blog helpful and would like to hear more legal tips and information from our law firm in Lake Ozark, we have links below for you to follow us on your favorite social media platform.

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 - 3 Important Things For Business Owners to Consider

If you are a small business owner, chances are you have put your all into getting where you are now. You have sacrificed time, money, heart, and more to build your business into a success, and you continue to work to maintain that success and a reputation of integrity. Have you ever thought about what would happen to the business you have built up if something were to happen to you? What about the livelihoods of your employees? Although many small business owners don’t think about it, estate planning for your business is something you should take care of in addition to your personal estate plan. If you haven’t thought about making an estate plan for your business at Lake of the Ozarks, this blog will talk about three things to think about to make it easier for you when putting your plan together.

Someone to Lead in Your Stead

Sometimes a business owner's spouse or other family member may be highly involved in the business, and in a position where they can step up and run the business. Sometimes there are partners that are more knowledgeable about the business and may be a better choice. If neither of these are a practical option, you want to think of another person who would be capable of running your business and talk to them about that possibility. Then you’ll want to make a plan for what that transition would look like. Your successor will need access to bank accounts, financial information, online accounts, technical information about the business, and more. Once that transition plan has been created, be sure to put it in a place that it will be accessible along with your estate plan.

Ownership

Sometimes, it makes more sense for the family to sell the business rather than own it, if they are not feasibly able to take over the leadership role. In that case, having information for valuation of the business, as well as important information to make it easier for the next business owner, and therefore a more appealing business for a buyer should be part of your estate plan. If you have partners who you believe would be interested in stepping into the leadership role, you can provide an option for them to buy your portion of the business out. It is not uncommon for business partners to take out life insurance policies on each other so in the event one passes away, there will be funds to allow for that type of buyout. If you believe your family would benefit more from a cash payout for your portion of the business, you could provide for that option if no one is able or interested in learning how to run your business and taking on that responsibility. 

Probate and Tax Timelines

It’s important to be aware that there are tax implications when the owner of a business dies, and that tax burden comes with a timeframe. Unfortunately, some businesses find themselves forced to liquidate in order to cover that tax burden within the required deadline. It is a sad way for business to end, and it does not have to be that way. If you prefer that your family or business partners have the opportunity to take over the business, let's talk about an estate plan for your business. 

Business Estate Plans - Protecting Your Legacy

As business law attorneys in mid-Missouri, we know that having an estate plan is not always intuitive for small business owners. So we wanted to let you know why it is important, give you a few things to think about, and offer you a free initial consultation at Gibbons Law Firm. Just call our office at (573)348–2211 to schedule an appointment with one of our estate planning attorneys in Lake Ozark. We are capable of helping you with all your business legal needs, and very familiar with the process necessary to get this important plan in place for your business and your peace of mind. We also have regular legal information and helpful tips on our social media channels if you’d like to hear more. We have links below for your convenience, feel free to follow us!

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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Family Law Services … with Compassion

Family law can encompass a lot of different areas or situations. But no matter the situation, it is usually pretty emotional and can be high stakes because it involves your family. At Gibbons Law Firm, we understand how important it is to you to achieve the best possible outcome, and Roger Gibbons has helped countless families through similar situations successfully. His skills for clear, accurate communication and diffusing high emotions are a tremendous asset when it comes to family law. If you would like to learn more specifically about how our law firm at Lake of the Ozarks can help you in the diverse area of family law, just read on.  

Parental Rights

There are sometimes situations that require a family to establish or terminate a parents legal rights. For instance, if a mother and father are unmarried, the father will have to establish paternity in order to have any parental rights. That is a situation in which you will want the help of a skilled family law attorney in mid-Missouri to help you through the process step-by-step. Similarly, if a parent has become abusive, or the family environment has become so dangerous or neglectful it may be necessary for the other parent to petition for that parent’s rights to be terminated for the safety of the child. In order for that to be successful, certain specific criteria must be met. A knowledgeable and skilled attorney is able to investigate and negotiate that case and be a solid asset to you as you are going through a very sad and stressful situation. 

Adoptions

Family law is not always sad, in fact sometimes it can be quite joyous. But it is still usually emotional and high stakes, like in the case of adoption. Fear of the unknown can play a big part when it comes to adoptions, unless you have an experienced attorney to help you understand what to expect and what to do. You already love this child and consider him/her a part of your family. You want them to be safe and well cared for and you can’t imagine your life without them and vice versa. When you hire Roger Gibbons you can have the confidence of knowing he is very familiar with the legal process regarding adopting a child in Missouri and he will be there to look out for you and the child you are adopting and effectively negotiating and advocating on your behalf. 

Divorce

Unfortunately, over half of all marriages end in divorce. That means a lot of families are impacted by divorce and how things are handled legally during the process. A divorce can initiate a need for numerous legal decisions such as child custody, child support, division of assets and property (which can affect where the kids will live and more), and even spousal support (which can affect a child’s standard of living with that parent). Having a compassionate divorce attorney at Lake of the Ozarks who is able to listen and negotiate is key. Having one that is willing to litigate if necessary for a successful outcome is also very important in a divorce case.

Prenuptials

Prenuptials are not always needed, but in some cases they can bring peace of mind and prevent some unknowns. With blended families, prenuptials can make a lot of sense and are becoming more standard these days. If a couple already have teenagers or adult children from previous relationships, prenuptials can be about making sure sentimental items and heirlooms go to people who are related and care about them rather than to people who have no attachment to them whatsoever. If you are wondering if prenuptials might be helpful or warranted in your situation, we would be happy to sit down with you for a free initial consultation to talk with you about your options. 

Compassion, Communication, and Advocacy! 

When a family is going through any of the above circumstances, they should not have to do it alone. Nor should they. When the outcome is so important, you deserve to have the knowledge and tenacity of a skilled attorney who cares. Roger Gibbons is that attorney and that is why he offers free initial consultations. Please don't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about your rights and best course of action regarding your family law case in central Missouri. If you found this blog helpful and would like to hear more from our law firm in Lake Ozark, we invite you 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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3 Tips to Help Your Child Custody Case - Dos and Don’ts From Gibbons Law Firm

Child custody can be one of the most important factors in a divorce for many parents. The idea of not being able to see your children or your children not being able to see both parents when they want and need to is unthinkable. Having a child custody attorney that can walk you through the process for the best possible outcome is of utmost importance. At Gibbons Law Firm, we work with people in their child custody cases at Lake of the Ozarks all the time. We know there are certain things that will help their chances of being awarded custody, and other things that will be detrimental. So, if you are trying to get custody of your child, we have three things in today’s blog that can help you improve your chances.

1) Fairness & Cooperation

Going through a divorce can be a time when you get reminded of all the reasons that you and your spouse are splitting up. But thinking of all those reasons will not help you through your child custody case. The more amicable and professional you can be when it comes to interacting with your soon-to-be ex, the better it will look to the courts. For example, you want to demonstrate that you’re going to be fair when it comes to sharing time with the kids, and that you will be able to work with your future ex in raising the children in separate homes. This also means keeping it positive around the kids and not putting them in the middle. It is very unfair to a child to hear one of their parents criticize the other or try to get them to take sides. So keep it professional, keep it as positive as possible, and keep the end goal in mind.

2) Keeping Your Cool

Divorces can bring out a lot of emotions, especially when it comes to the children. Your job is to control that emotion and not let it spill over and be witnessed by others who can use it against you. Don’t talk about your divorce on social media, don’t criticize your ex in front of family and friends, be courteous and avoid demonstrating anger or aggression. If the courts discover a pattern of behavior that shows abuse or aggression or addiction in either parent, that will definitely be a factor when child custody is determined.

3) Having a Stable Home Life

Children of divorcing parents face a lot of transition and understandable feelings of loss. The more stable their home life can be with the custodial parent, the easier it will be for them to work through this time in a healthy manner. Most often, kids will want to remain in the same area, so they can maintain relationships with family members and friends. They may not want to have to move to a new school. The courts will want to avoid unnecessary disruption in their lives considering they’re already going through so much. The courts will also want to see that you have a suitable income, that you are nurturing and active in your child’s life, and that you will be involved in things like parent teacher meetings, sports, helping with homework, and just being there for your child in general. So, as you are planning on where you will move and what your next step will be, consider your home environment and what it needs to be for your children so you can help your chances of getting custody of your child.

Gibbons Law Firm Cares About Your Family

We know how important child custody cases are, and we care about the outcome for you and your family. If you are going through a divorce and need advice from our mid-Missouri divorce attorneys on how to improve your chances of being awarded child custody at Lake of the Ozarks, reach out to our law firm in Lake Ozark. Your initial consultation is free, and we are happy to sit down with you to inform you of your legal rights and help guide you as you make these important decisions. We want the best possible outcome for you and your kids, and we are here to walk with you every step of the way. Give us a call today, and be sure to follow us on social media if you’d like to hear more tips and helpful information. We have links below you can use to follow us on your favorite platform.

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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