PMCW Law

One of the last things you want to talk about any day of the week is having someone else raise your kids because an unexpected tragedy has struck and you are no longer able to take care of your children. But, isn't it better to have a say in who raises your kids when you can't than the alternative? The Lake of the Ozarks estate planning attorneys at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch are here to give you a few tips for naming a guardian of your children. If you need any assistance with this or creating your estate plan altogether, you should contact an experienced attorney at the Lake of Ozarks as soon as possible. Call (573) 346-7231 for your free consultation today. Tips for Naming a Guardian for Your Children Talk to your kids about this and be honest. The guardian is the person that you name in your will to care for your children in the event you untimely pass away before they are of age. You can control the tempo of this conversation but the point here is...

By this point in your life, you have probably been told at one point or another that having a will drawn up for yourself and your family is a very smart move. But, do you know what a will really is? On that note, what about a living trust? Both can be smart choices depending on your situation. Our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you the differences between a will and a living trust so you can make a better decision for yourself and your family. For a free consultation with our Camden County estate planning attorneys , call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch today for your free consultation. Our Camdenton Law Office can be reached at (573) 346-7231. A Will If you have a will in place, you will be able to use the document to assign an individual to take over your role as guardian in the event of your passing. Wills allow you to designate beneficiaries for your property. If you are leaving property to a minor using a will, you shou...

Let's face it. No one likes thinking about what's going to happen when they pass away and our estate planning lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks realize that. However, thinking about this now and getting your estate plan in order, can really make things easier on your loved ones at a time where they are mourning. Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch specializes in assisting clients with their estate plans. Our Lake of the Ozarks estate planning attorneys can be there for you every step of the way when it comes to aligning your estate plan so it works for you and your family. In the meantime, keep reading because we have estate planning tips for you for different aspects of your life below. Estate Planning Tips for DIFFERENT Aspects of Your Life PETS Our pets are family and we understand that some clients would like to enter them into their estate plans, but you need to realize that you can't legally leave money or assets behind to a pet because they don't ...

Pets can be family. Our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks can understand that. Keep reading for a few estate planning tips for pet owners. When it comes to working pets into your estate plan, it can be complicated. Call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch at 573-346-7231 today for your free consultation. 3 Estate Planning Tips for Pet Owners 1. You need to know that you can't legally leave money or assets behind to a pet because they don't have the legal capacity to own property, but: You can leave money to a person you have designated to take care of your pet to use for that pet. 2. Consider opening a pet trust.  A pet trust is a formal agreement drawn up for that care and well being of the pet. If you become at a point where you can't take care of your pet, whether you have passed away or acquire an illness that makes it to where you can't care for your pet, then this agreement could go into effect and allow for a person of your c...

You never know what can happen in life. One day you may have your first child, buy a new house, or be the owner of your very own small business, you just don't know, but what our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks know, is that your will should be updated which each unexpected life change. To learn more about this process and to make sure you are covered properly when it comes to your will, see our Camden County estate planning attorneys . Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch is here for you. Keep reading to learn a few examples of unexpected life changes that should affect your will. Unexpected Changes in Your Life That Should Effect Your Estate Plan New child If you are having a new child, you may consider adding them to your will or trust. If you choose to do this, while your will is probably the last thing on your mind at a time like this, remember to add heras a beneficiary so she can inherit when you want her to inherit. No one likes to think abo...

Hello to all of the parents out there! We can understand that throughout the busy life that is the world of parenting, making an estate plan is probably the furthest thing from your mind, but it should be a top priority. Here's why, if something tragic were to happen to you and your spouse or co-parent without a will, then you won't have it say in who cares for your minor child after you are gone. You can't depend on the law to carry out your wishes. Our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few estate planning tips. To get your estate plan drawn up as soon as possible by a professional, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch today at 573-346-7231 for your free consultation. Get Life Insurance. Life insurance can give you peace of mind knowing your family will be financially ok if you pass away unexpectedly. It can cover your funeral expenses, leftover college debt, unpaid mortgages, etc. If you pass away unexpectedly, lif...

2019 may be a big year for you! Perhaps you are having your first child? Maybe you are getting married? Maybe you are a buying your very first house or maybe you are finally starting your own business? Whatever your new life change may be, congratulations on this big step! While many people may not think about this at the time, each one of these changes can affect your will or estate plan and it's important that you consult with your estate planning lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks . At Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch , we encourage our clients to let their wishes be known. Keep reading to learn how different life changes can affect your estate plan or will. How Will Your Upcoming Life Changes Affect Your Estate Plan Having a New Baby Once you had a child, it becomes even more important that you have a will or trust. You should name a guardian for your children and list them in your will. A guardian is a person who would care for your children if you unexpectedly ...

While being a new parent can be very demanding, estate planning may not be a high priority. However, it is an important task and shouldn't be ignored. On the off chance you and your spouse die without writing a will and appointing a guardian before your child turns 18, he or she could be appointed a caregiver you don't approve of. Typically, the court will appoint a family member, but you may not want that particular family member being responsible for your child. Our estate planning attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give new parents a few estate planning tips. If you find yourself needing help from an experienced Camden County lawyer for this important task, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch today at 573-346-7231 to schedule your free consultation today. Estate Planning Tips for New Parents Choosing the Right Beneficiaries It's important to keep your beneficiaries updated at all times. For example, if you were married once before and ma...

Did you know that August is National Make a Will Month? In the spirit of this month, our Camden County attorneys are here to give you a few reasons why it's so important you have a will. If you don't already have a will and would like an experienced attorney to draft one for you, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch at 573-346-7231. Who Has a Will? Ages                 % of people with a Will or Living Trust 18-36                22% 37-52                36% 53-71                60% 72 and older     81% Source: Central Trust Company According to the data listed above, you can see that a trend has come about. The older the person, the more likely they are to have a will. However, the reality is that no one ever knows when they will pass away, you could be 20, you could be 82. The poin...

Have you recently had a child or got married? Serious life changes should trigger you to draft a will if you haven't already. Your belongings probably mean a lot to you and they should go to who you want versus being handled in probate. When drafting a will, it's vital that you don't accidentally leave an item out, which is why the help of an experienced estate planning lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks can come in handy. Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch are here to list a few examples of items not to forget when drafting your will. Don't Forget to List These Items in Your Will Guardian Appointing a guardian is essential is you have minor children. The guardian is the person who takes care of your children if you pass away before they are of age. Property Property can mean a number of things. When you hear "real property," that refers to real estate including land, a home or building. Transferring ownership of this type of property can be mu...

Drafting your will can be one of the most important things you do in life because this document helps ensure that your most precious belongings go to the people you intend them to go to, rather than as controlled by Missouri law through the probate court. While you don't have to have a will, we highly recommend that you do, otherwise, your loved ones could be facing confusion after you pass away. This would already be a time of grief for them, so why not make the transition of your possessions as easy as possible on them and have a will constructed? Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch knows how difficult it can be to make ultimately sure you have everything listed in your will that you should have. If you have questions about your will or on how to start one, call our law office in Camdenton at 573-346-7231 today for your free consultation. Keep reading for a checklist for drafting a will. Checklist for Drafting a Will When drafting your will, make sure you have the...