PMCW Law

You've heard about wills, and you've heard about living trusts. You know that they're both important, but so far the terms seem to have been used somewhat interchangeably. Is there a difference between wills and living trusts? Is there an advantage to using one over the other?  The Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help you answer these questions. Essentially, a will is a legal document that dictates how your property and assets will be distributed after you pass. A will only effects those assets that are part of your probate estate.  Living trusts, on the other hand, allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed after you pass or if you become incapacitated and avoid probate court. Here's a quick look at some of the specific differences between wills and trusts. Naming Guardians for Children In Missouri, children are not considered legal adults until they turn eighteen. If both of a child's parents/guardia...

Memorial Day is largely regarded as a big holiday weekend designed to celebrate the start of another great summer. While we are certainly in favor of taking some time to relax and have fun, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. would like to remind you that this holiday was not always about enjoying a three-day weekend. It's okay to join in the festivities this weekend, but we would be remiss not to dedicate some time to honoring the holiday's true origins. History of Memorial Day Memorial Day (initially known as Decoration Day) was originally established to honor the military men and women who gave up their lives while serving our great country. Decoration Day was first observed three years after the Civil War and specifically honored the soldiers who lost their lives in that divisive civil battle. After World War I, Decoration Day expanded to honor all U.S. soldiers who lost their lives on the battlefield, regardless of whe...

Ask anyone who has gotten a divorce before, and they will tell you that the process can be complicated and emotional. There are a lot of assets, possessions, and accounts that must be divided between the divorcing spouses. While dividing up all of these belongings can seem overwhelm, they pale in comparison to another thing that must sometimes be divided in divorce cases: custody of your children. It should come as no surprise that almost every parent who undergoes a divorce wants to keep full (or, at the very least, partial) custody of their children. In many divorce cases at the Lake of the Ozarks , however, parents are not the ones who get to decide who retains custody of the children - the judge is. If you are working to retain or receive custody of your children, we recommend you work closely with your divorce attorney in Camdenton, MO to determine the best course of action. There are several things you should and should not do in order to give yourself the best chance o...

There's always a lot going on in Mid-Missouri. This Friday marks the kick-off date of one of the Lake of the Ozarks' favorite summer events: Hot Summer Nights. The team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.  is here to help you plan some outstanding summer evenings with all the event info! Hot Summer Nights - A Brief Overview Hot Summer Nights is a recurring event that happens every month during the summer on the Historical Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark, MO. The event always promises fun for the whole family with a wide variety of attractions, including helicopter rides, face painting, car shows, dance performances, shopping, food, giveaways, and more. The event is free to the public, so don't be afraid to bring your whole crew along! Hot Summer Nights - Dates & Themes This year, the overarching theme for all of the Hot Summer Nights events is "Still Cruisin'." The dates and individual themes for each nigh...