PMCW Law

Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter & Welch has had the pleasure of getting to know many clients over the years. Throughout that time, we've been able to help so many people achieve the legal results they were hoping for. Now, our experienced lawyers in Camdenton would like for you to get to know them a little better. Last month, we featured Brooke Christy, Attorney at Law . This month, we are featuring David Welch. Get to Know YOUR Lawyer - David Welch Q: Where are you from and where did you attend college? A: I was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1953. I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and obtained my BA in Political Science in 1975 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. I earned my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1978 and associated with my present firm upon graduation. While in law school, I met and married my wife. She received her teaching degree from Missouri and taught kindergarten in the Camdenton schools f...

Small claims court, as its name suggests, is the court specifically designated for individual people to pursue small claims. "Small claims" are cases where a party is seeking less than $5,000. This week, our Lake of the Ozarks lawyers are here to help you get a general understanding of the Missouri small claims court. What Is Small Claims Court? Small claims court is sometimes called "the people's court." It is the court designed for American citizens to be able to represent themselves. However, both the plaintiff and the defendant are allowed to retain attorneys if they would prefer to have professional representation. The small claims court may only be used to pursue financial claims valuing less than $5,000. It cannot be used to obtain property, real estate, or other assets. It may also not be used to evict tenants from property.  The small claims court is presided over by a judge. If a claim is brought to court, the judge will hear both the pla...

Thanksgiving is a time to step away from the hectic hustle and bustle of normal life and instead focus all of your attention on your friends and family. The Thanksgiving feast is typically the central focus of this holiday's events, but it is certainly not the only way you can celebrate with your family. The team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help you expand your family's Thanksgiving traditions with these fun, creative celebration ideas. 1. Make An "I'm Thankful For..." Board The main purpose of Thanksgiving is to express gratitude for the blessings in your life. One fun family tradition is to designate a space for the people at your Thanksgiving gathering to write down the things they are thankful for. Write "I'm Thankful For..." at the top of a dry erase board or large sheet of poster board, and supply your guests with markers to fill in the rest. 2. Volunteer Your Time Many churches and non-profit organ...

As the best general practice law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks , we focus on helping clients navigate a wide range of legal issues. Whether you're starting a business, getting divorced, adopting a child, fighting a speeding ticket, defending against criminal charges, buying real estate or planning your estate, the team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. will be honored to do everything we can to help make your process easier. For those of you whom we have not yet had the privilege of working with, we want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our attorneys. We are privileged to have several great attorneys on staff: Charles E. McElyea, Ronald K. Carpenter, David T. Welch, and Brooke A. Christy. From left to right: David T. Welch, Brooke A. Christy, Ronald K. Carpenter, Charle E. McElyea Charles E. McElyea Charles has been practicing law at the Lake of the Ozarks since November of 1971. His practice areas primarily revolve around real estate mat...

People frequently talk about the importance of dedicating legal guardians to care for your minor children in the event that something should happen to you, but what about appointing someone to care for you if/when you become unable to care for yourself? Aging adults sometimes suffer severe mental or physical health issues that can prevent them from taking care of themselves or their affairs. When this happens, there may be a need for a capable adult to step in and manage these responsibilities on their behalves. An Overview Of Conservatorships A "conservatorship" is when a responsible, capable adult steps in to handle another's financial assets in the event that the latter is unable to do. If the aging adult has appointed a power of attorney, appointing a conservator may not be necessary; the power of attorney may step in and handles these responsibilities. Unfortunately, many adults have not talked with an estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks and ...

The most common reasons for filing a court case is when one believes to have been financially, morally, or legally wronged by another. By their nature, court cases are often emotionally charged and can carry significant financial consequences for the parties. The party initiating the case (the plaintiff) generally has a strong motive for bringing the case to court and will generally do everything possible to ensure that the case is won. (Last month, we talked about the different strategies plaintiffs can use to win their cases .) If you are the defendant (the one the lawsuit is being brought against), it may be necessary to have a solid legal defense to convincing the court why you should not be required to face the consequences or pay the damages being brought against you. Here are some tips to consider to successfully defend your case. HABIT #1:  Be Prepared While there is no way to ever predict someone else's behavior, you may find yoursel...