PMCW Law

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If you're like most Americans, you and your family probably gather around the dinner table and enjoy a feast of turkey, green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce, and countless other delicious dishes - but have you ever wondered how people celebrate Thanksgiving in other cultures? Many of us think of Thanksgiving as a holiday that is only celebrated in America, but the truth is that many other countries and cultures have some sort of custom designed to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for another plentiful year. In honor of Thanksgiving, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to explore with you some of these different traditions from around the world. Ancient Rome Some people are surprised to learn that ancient Rome was actually the birthplace of many modern Thanksgiving traditions. Just like today's American Thanksgiving, the ancient Roman celebration incl...

Unfortunately, adults are not the only perpetrators of crime in our area; juveniles have been known to commit various crimes on multiple occasions. Depending on the severity of their crimes, the consequences of their convictions can impact these young people's lives for years to come. Because of the potential for lifetime consequences, juvenile law at the Lake of the Ozarks can be more than a little scary and overwhelming.  This week, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to answer some of the questions you may have about this important legal discipline. 1. Can A Juvenile Ever Be Charged As An Adult? In some situations, yes. For example, a juvenile who is at least 12 years old may be charged as an adult if he/she has been charged of a felony. 2. At What Age Is Someone Considered An Adult Under Missouri Law? Under certain sections of Missouri statutes related to c har ging criminal offense , any person age 17 or older...

S tarting your own business can be incredibly rewarding financially, mentally and emotionally . Of course, it an also be incredibly challenging. Starting a business at the Lake of the Ozarks requires many details and specifications being met and attended to - and failure to properly establish a business can have serious consequences for both you and the business. If you are thinking about starting a business in the future, our business attorneys in Camdenton, MO may be able to help you avoid some of these potential pitfalls. This week, we're here to help clear up some common misconceptions about starting a business. Misconception #1: "I Only Need A Business Plan If I'm Going To Apply For A Loan." While it is comm on for lenders to require a solid business plan as part of the loan application process, you should create a business plan regardless of whether or not you intend to apply for a loan. Your business plan will serve as a valuable guide throughou...

Getting pulled over while driving can be incredibly stressful and nerve-wracking - and getting a ticket can be even worse. Unfortunately, getting a ticket causes more problems than an increased heart rate and a late arrival to your destination; it can also have long-term consequences on your driving record. The team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. may be able to help you reduce the penalties on your record (and your future). Missouri Traffic Point System The State of Missouri keeps track of everyone's driving records by assigning points to drivers' licenses when they are caught violating various traffic laws. The amount of points assigned will depend on the severity of the offense. Here are a few examples of offenses and their assigned point values (Source: DMV.org) : Speeding (more than 5 mph over the speed limit): up to 3 points Stop Sign Violation: up to 2 points Failure to Produce Insurance ID: up to 4 points 12 points can be given for se...

Halloween is one of the most highly anticipated holidays of the year. As the second highest grossing holiday in the States (right after Christmas), Halloween has people planning their costumes and stocking up on candy weeks in advance. You will probably spend a lot of time planning for and anticipating this great holiday, but do you know how it all got started in the first place? This week, the team at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to take you on an exciting journey through the history of Halloween. A Changing Of The Seasons The annual summer and the resulting harvest was an important moment in many traditional countries and cultures. After a long and fruitful summer, families harvested their crops in order to prepare the upcoming winter. October 31st marks the end the harvest and the beginning of the long, cold winter. Many cultures held annual festivals celebrating their successful harvests, giving thanks for a plentiful yea...

Prenuptial agreements are a key talking point for anyone thinking about getting married in the near future. We have talked about prenuptial agreements and their general purpose in the past, but this week, we're going to take a closer look at which specific elements you can (and cannot) include in this important document. If you need help establishing a prenup at the Lake of the Ozarks , contact the team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C . What CAN Be Included In Your Premarital Agreement? Prenuptial agreements are powerful documents that can help you enforce several important decisions. Here are some examples of the types of things that can (and should) be included in your prenup: How property and assets will be divided in the event of a divorce How financial responsibilities will be handled during the marriage Who will be responsible for paying off premarital debts Which property or assets are considered "community property" or "separate...

As with most things, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about filing a lawsuit at the Lake of the Ozarks . In order to be successful, you have to pay close attention to the little details. If you miss even one, you risk jeopardizing your entire case. Here is a quick list of some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them, courtesy of the team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. Mistake #1: Talking About Your Case When you're in the middle of a lawsuit, you will probably be contacted by several different parties, including insurance adjusters and your opponent's attorney. The important thing to remember is that you are generally not required  to speak to them about your case - and saying the wrong thing could hurt you more than it will help. We recommend eliminating this risk by deferring all communication to your Lake of the Ozarks attorney . Mistake #2: Waiting Too Long To File Your Case The Statute of Limitations limits the amount of t...