PMCW Law

Christmas is certainly most wonderful times of the year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Decorating, party planning, Christmas shopping, present wrapping... collectively, these things all take a decent amount of time out of our already busy schedules.  It doesn't have to be stressful, though. Your local lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to make your life easier with these simple but brilliant Christmas "holiday hacks." Here they are (in no particular order).  Store small ornaments in old egg cartons to keep them organized and contained. Drape green tinsel around your Christmas tree to fill it out more. Hang ornaments from chandeliers and other light fixtures to add holiday cheer. Place a flat wooden board across your mantle to make it wider (and easier to decorate). Paint old Velveeta, saran wrap, and aluminum foil boxes to turn them into long, thin gift boxes (great for jewelry or cookies). Put cuts from pine or evergreen tre...

Divorce is a complicated, emotional process for every couple, but it is especially so for couples who have children. With their divorce comes decisions regarding which parent will have legal guardianship of the children, when and for how long the other parent will be able to spend time with the children, and how the parents will share the financial responsibility of having kids. Did you know that divorced couples are not the only ones who face these battles? Legally, children in Missouri are entitled to support from both of their parents, even if the parents were never married. If you are attempting to navigate the world of child support for yourself or your children, our trusted attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you. Here is some important information about child support, courtesy of the attorneys and paralegals at the Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. Child Support is about Equal Financial Responsibility Food, diapers, toys, and clo...

It's that time of year! Colleges and universities are wrapping up another fall semester, which means that final exams and presentations are just around the corner for most students. In fact, some universities have already begun the dreaded "finals week." Final exams for every academic discipline are challenging in their own way, but law students face unique challenges in their exams. The lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you face those challenges with these tried and true study tips for law students. Begin The most guaranteed way to do well on your exams is -  surprise!  - to study. Even if you haven't cracked open a book all semester, you'll do better to take advantage of what little time you have left than not to study at all. Getting started is often the hardest part. Once you sit down and begin applying yourself, the rest of the process gets easier and easier. Find what study method works best for you and stick with it. Do you prefer t...

Christmas is a favorite time of year for all of us at the Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. We love the dedicated family time and the opportunity get lost in the youthful joy of the season. We've waited all year for Christmas, and now it's finally here. We believe that you're never too old to enjoy the magic of the Christmas season! We may be the most professional attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks , but that doesn't mean that we can't relax and enjoy celebrating the magic of the Christmas holidays with our children and grandchildren. If you're looking for a great way to kick off your holiday celebrations, you definitely won't want to miss out on the Christmas on the Square event that's taking place this weekend! Christmas on the Square This is one of Camdenton's best Christmas events of the season. Kickstart your holiday season by joining us and the rest of the Camdenton community at an all-day downtown fes...

Thanksgiving is almost here. Families are traveling miles and miles to reunite after spending months apart, ready to make some memories and enjoy spending time with each other. Of course, there's also a lot of work that goes into planning this long-awaited family gathering! There are meals to be planned, travel arrangements to be made, and kids to be kept entertained. If you've ever been tasked with planning a holiday get-together, you know that coming up with a way to keep all the children engaged, happy, and well-behaved is one of the most important aspects. This year, your trusted lawyers at the Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.  are here to help!  Crafts are a great way to keep little ones interested, busy, and quiet. Here is a list of some simple, fun Thanksgiving crafts that will keep your kiddos entertained for hours! Pinecone Turkey Pinecones Autumn-colored construction paper  (brown, orange, yellow, red) Pencils Scissors ...

Accidents, by their very nature, happen when we least expect them to.  Some accidents involve the misuse of words, some involve the misplacement of belongings or resources, and others involve personal injury.  Accidents vary in severity and impact, but all accidents have one thing in common: they all bring unintentional and/or undesired consequences.  If accidents manifest in the form of a work-related injury or an automobile accident, they can cause serious legal issues. While you'll want to (and should) dedicate all of your time to healing, these legal issues must be addressed before they have time to grow deeper roots. That's where the Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. comes in! Our experienced personal injury attorneys are able to advocate for you and your rights when you need them the most. Personal Injury Laws As with all branches of the law, personal injury is governed by several laws dictating when and how much you can coll...

We have all heard the phrase, "'til death do us part." Unfortunately, it is not always possible to turn that sentiment into a reality. Despite all good intentions, divorce is a fact of life for many people. The reasons behind divorce are as distinct and varied as the people who file for them, but a common thread ties all divorce cases together: behind every divorce are two people who are looking to move past a difficult situation and on towards a better life. While we do not wish this difficult situation on anyone, all of us at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. promise to be here for you during this time of need, every step of the way. If you're thinking about filing for divorce in Missouri , take a little time to acquaint yourself with the process. Here's a quick glance at some frequently asked questions and their answers about the process of filing for divorce in Missouri. What is the first step? The petitioner (the ...

Halloween is only two days away, and all those nights spent working on terrifying or glamorous costumes are about to pay off. Our community's kiddos are ready for another fun, spooky night of costumes and candy - and so are the  best lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks ! As you plan your Halloween activities, here are some great family-friendly events to keep in mind. Walk on the Rocks Trick-Or-Treat Your little ones will have a blast trick-or-treating through a maze that has been set up in the Hy-Vee parking lot. Admission is $2.00 per child, and all of the money raised will benefit the Dream Factory (an organization that grants dreams to children who are critically ill). The maze will be open on October 31st from 4:00-7:00 PM . Have some great Halloween fun while supporting a great cause! Tunnel Dam Gardens' Haunted Maze & Hayride Mother Nature's Riverfront Retreat is hosting their annual haunted hayride on October 31st and November 1st from 7:00-11:00 P...

Maybe you're beginning the process of buying your first home. Maybe you're an experienced business owner who is moving your business to a new location. Or maybe, you're looking to purchase a plot of land to serve as the perfect foundation for your next big dream. No matter your situation, one thing is for sure: you're going to need an experienced real estate attorney to help you! Many people are unfamiliar with real estate/property law , but it encompasses a wide range of legal issues. As the best real estate lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks , we can help you with all of your real estate and property needs, including: Buying property Selling property Developing property Boundary line disputes Rental property issues Zoning laws Access and easement issues And more! All of us at the law offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. have several years of experience in handling these and many more real estate problems and title issues. ...