PMCW Law

As the owner of your new business, you are mostly responsible for your company's success. Your daily habits and business practices will directly impact the success of your company. As we enter into a new year, it is the perfect time to evaluate your current procedures and identify where to make improvements. As your trusted business attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks , the attorneys at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to help you brainstorm some ideas for the coming year. New Year's Resolution #1: Only Keep Top-Performing Employees Your employees' behavior (like your own) directly impacts the success of your company. As we enter into the New Year, evaluate your employees' performance carefully. If you have one or two employees who consistently fail to meet deadlines and/or expectations, it may be time to consider letting them go. Removing under-performing employees from your workforce will make room for more top-pe...

Family traditions are some of the best parts about holiday celebrations. Every family has their own way of celebrating the holidays, but there are some traditions that are observed all across the United States. If you are looking for new traditions to make your own or simply a fun way to shake things up, the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help you plan a wonderful holiday celebration. Which one of  these family traditions  will you adopt? 1. Christmas Tree Shopping If you prefer a real Christmas tree over an artificial one, why not make the process of searching for the perfect tree a family event? Kick off your day with hot chocolate or apple cider and bring the whole family along to find your dream Christmas tree. Some Christmas tree farms offer other attractions that your little ones are sure to enjoy, such as sleigh rides or hayrides. 2. The Gift Of Giving There is a certain warmth and joy that comes from giving to othe...

How much do you know about the difference between mediation and litigation and the pros and cons associated with each? For those of you that missed our original blog post on this topic, mediation refers to the process of resolving a case outside of the courtroom and litigation refers to the trial process that occurs within the courtroom. Both mediation and litigation have their own set of advantages and drawbacks, but how do you know which route is right for your unique situation? Should You Pursue Mediation Or Litigation? Mediation has several attractive benefits that make it the first choice for many plaintiffs and their attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks . For example, mediation is typically: Less stressful Less expensive Less time-consuming For these reasons, we often encourage our clients to pursue mediation if at all possible. When Is Litigation Necessary? That being said, there are certain legal situations that cannot be resolved via mediation . The L...

Most legal fields are confusing and overwhelming for those who are navigating them for the first time, but personal injury law can be one of the most challenging fields. Due to the highly charged emotions that often accompany injuries, it can be difficult for people to maintain calm, objective outlooks when approaching their personal injury cases. As a result, there are many common misconceptions surrounding this particular legal discipline. This week, Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help clear up some of these misconceptions. Misconception #1: You Are Stuck With The First Settlement Your Insurance Company Offers Personal injury claims require lots of negotiation with insurance companies. Sometimes people assume that the initial settlement offer they receive is the best one they will get, but this is often not the case. In fact, many insurance companies send lower offers initially in hopes that the plaintiff will accept it and they won't have t...

If you are facing criminal charges, it is imperative that you contact one of our criminal defense attorneys in Camden County MO immediately. Criminal law is complex and involved, and representing yourself can be challenging, overwhelming, and risky. Regardless of whether or not you actually committed the crime in question, being found guilty can negatively impact your life for years to come. Here is a look at some of the consequences that may result from having a criminal record. Difficulty Getting Accepted Into Schools Schools have a moral and ethical responsibility to keep their students, faculty, and staff safe. On the applications for almost every university or college, applicants must list whether or not they have been convicted of a crime in the past. If the answer is yes, the applicants may experience greater difficulty getting accepted into the schools of their choice. These challenges pursuing higher education may, in turn, make it more difficult to find quality...

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If you're like most Americans, you and your family probably gather around the dinner table and enjoy a feast of turkey, green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce, and countless other delicious dishes - but have you ever wondered how people celebrate Thanksgiving in other cultures? Many of us think of Thanksgiving as a holiday that is only celebrated in America, but the truth is that many other countries and cultures have some sort of custom designed to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for another plentiful year. In honor of Thanksgiving, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to explore with you some of these different traditions from around the world. Ancient Rome Some people are surprised to learn that ancient Rome was actually the birthplace of many modern Thanksgiving traditions. Just like today's American Thanksgiving, the ancient Roman celebration incl...

Unfortunately, adults are not the only perpetrators of crime in our area; juveniles have been known to commit various crimes on multiple occasions. Depending on the severity of their crimes, the consequences of their convictions can impact these young people's lives for years to come. Because of the potential for lifetime consequences, juvenile law at the Lake of the Ozarks can be more than a little scary and overwhelming.  This week, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to answer some of the questions you may have about this important legal discipline. 1. Can A Juvenile Ever Be Charged As An Adult? In some situations, yes. For example, a juvenile who is at least 12 years old may be charged as an adult if he/she has been charged of a felony. 2. At What Age Is Someone Considered An Adult Under Missouri Law? Under certain sections of Missouri statutes related to c har ging criminal offense , any person age 17 or older...

S tarting your own business can be incredibly rewarding financially, mentally and emotionally . Of course, it an also be incredibly challenging. Starting a business at the Lake of the Ozarks requires many details and specifications being met and attended to - and failure to properly establish a business can have serious consequences for both you and the business. If you are thinking about starting a business in the future, our business attorneys in Camdenton, MO may be able to help you avoid some of these potential pitfalls. This week, we're here to help clear up some common misconceptions about starting a business. Misconception #1: "I Only Need A Business Plan If I'm Going To Apply For A Loan." While it is comm on for lenders to require a solid business plan as part of the loan application process, you should create a business plan regardless of whether or not you intend to apply for a loan. Your business plan will serve as a valuable guide throughou...

Getting pulled over while driving can be incredibly stressful and nerve-wracking - and getting a ticket can be even worse. Unfortunately, getting a ticket causes more problems than an increased heart rate and a late arrival to your destination; it can also have long-term consequences on your driving record. The team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. may be able to help you reduce the penalties on your record (and your future). Missouri Traffic Point System The State of Missouri keeps track of everyone's driving records by assigning points to drivers' licenses when they are caught violating various traffic laws. The amount of points assigned will depend on the severity of the offense. Here are a few examples of offenses and their assigned point values (Source: DMV.org) : Speeding (more than 5 mph over the speed limit): up to 3 points Stop Sign Violation: up to 2 points Failure to Produce Insurance ID: up to 4 points 12 points can be given for se...