PMCW Law

As a parent, providing for your children's well-being is your single most important task. Nothing else matters as much as ensuring that your children are protected, supported, cared for, and nurtured. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable - you may not always be around to take care of your children. While we hope you live a long life and are able to see your children well into adulthood, it is important to take steps to protect them in the event that something unexpected should happen to you. Naming A Guardian No matter your age, our Lake of the Ozarks estate planning attorneys strongly encourage you to establish at least a simple estate plan as soon as you become a parent. By establishing a will, you can officially identify the person you want to care for your children in the event that you die, become incapacitated, or become otherwise unable to fulfill your parental responsibilities.  Choosing a guardian for your children is an important task, and one that should not ...

Ask any good parent, and they'll tell you that caring for the children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being is their top priority. If you have children of your own, you probably agree with this statement wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable; there is no way to guarantee that you will be around to care for your child forever. Though many children need and seek out advice and assistance from their parents well into adulthood, they become adults  under Missouri law when they turn eighteen. Generally , c hildren ages seventeen and under need a legal guardian if their parents are unable , un willing or unfit to act as a custodial parent.  If you have a child under the age of eighteen, it is important to make preparations so that they will be cared for if something should happen to you. Whom Should You Designate As A Legal Guardian For Your Children? If you die or become incapacitated, the individual you designate as your child's legal guardian...

We all need a little help now and then, especially when facing big decisions that may have significant financial or legal implications. Children, people with mental disabilities, and elderly individuals can benefit especially from assistance in these types of situations. The team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to help you gain a better understanding of legal guardianship and how they may be able to benefit you or someone you know. Legal Guardianship Children under the age of eighteen, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and certain elderly individuals who have lost some mental faculties as they aged are all examples of people who need guardians. The guardians assigned to them can fulfill multiple responsibilities, from ensuring that they receive proper food and housing to assisting with (or outright making) important decisions involving healthcare and safety. Temporary Guardianship Sometimes, an individual may be in ne...