PMCW Law

The Law Offices of  Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter & Welch, P.C . have the  best attorneys in the Lake of the Ozarks  area and a top notch support team to help you with most legal issues.  We want to feature the outstanding members of our firm via a series of Blogs where we ask some questions and get some insight on why they went into Law, learn about them as individuals, and feature what they do when they are not at work helping others.  We hope you enjoy this series, and we will feature a different team member every other week. Question: Why did you become a lawyer? Answer:  As an undergraduate, I had no idea what my career path would be. I was a political science major (with no particular interest in politics). My junior year I had to interview a lawyer for a class assignment and his passion for what he did really had an impact on me. I decided then and there that it was what I wanted to do. Question:   Where did you...

Conducting family estate planning can be a difficult and emotional job.  Providing for the disposition of your assets however, is extremely important.  Having a Will that is complete and up to date along with other estate planning documents, will give you and your family peace of mind.   Here is a partial list of topics you should consider when preparing to do estate planning: Designating a Personal Representative or Trustee: This is the person (or persons) that you designate and trust to manage your affairs and wishes upon your passing.  They will ensure your financial requirements, wishes and desires are adhered to according to your Will or Trust.  Choices often include your spouse or surviving children.  A good strategy is to pick a primary choice and one or two alternates, and to check with them to make sure they are willing to serve. Powers of Attorney: There are 3 typical types of documents appointing a power of attorney...

The Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter & Welch, P.C . have the best attorneys in the Lake of the Ozarks area and a top notch support team to help you with most legal issues.  We want to feature the outstanding members of our firm via a series of Blogs where we ask some questions and get some insight on why they went into Law, learn about them as individuals, and feature what they do when they are not at work helping others.  We hope you enjoy this series, and we will feature a different team member every other week. Q & A with Attorney Matt Hamner Q)   Why did you become a Lawyer? A)   I read the book To Kill A Mockingbird in Seventh Grade and thought Atticus Finch was the coolest and said “What a great way to make a living.” Q)   Where did you go to school? (Undergrad/Law School) A)    I received both my undergraduate and Law degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Q)    W...

Juror Service - an important civic duty Few activities in our civic life provide such a direct contact with our democracy as does jury service. Besides voting, nothing is so active and participatory in nature. In fact, Thomas Jefferson believed that serving on a jury is more important than voting. He said, "I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution." The Law Office of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter & Welch, P.C. want to provide you some basic information in the event that your receive a jury summons.  A great website for juror information can be found at https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=986  and we highlight some information from this resource here. Summons and Qualification Form  A summons for jury service and a juror qualification form are the initial documents that call you, as a prospective juror, to service. The qualification form is a ques...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter & Welch, P.C. We hope your Thanksgiving celebration allows you to join with your family and friends for great food and fellowship this year!  Everyone at our firm wants to give thanks for our great clients and for our fantastic attorneys and staff.   Some fun Thanksgiving trivia Thanksgiving throughout History Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. Sarah Josepha Hale, an American magazine editor, persuaded Abraham Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday. She is also the author of the popular nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's. In 1939, President Roosevelt proclaimed that ...

Every Entrepreneur knows that when you start a small business, it is impossible to handle all of the demands that may come your way.  Building a business support team to watch your back is critical to the success of your business.  Here is a list of people that should be added to your dream team to ensure the best chance of success. Your Dream Team: Accountant  - having a great accountant is worth his/her weight in gold.  An accountant can make sure your books are in order, that you are following tax laws, and that you are getting the maximum tax relief you are entitled to.    Marketing professional - Many new business owners do not have a marketing degree, so bringing in a professional to help you market your service or product is critical.  A professional marketer will be able to advise you on the best advertising mediums, help craft your message and branding and help you target the appropriate demographics. Mento...