PMCW Law

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...

Easter is here, and people all across the country are gearing up for another fun-filled weekend with their family and friends. If you have young children, you are probably especially busy gathering materials to dye Easter eggs and fill Easter baskets.  The team at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. is here to help you get ready for Easter by testing your knowledge on some lesser-known facts about this fun family holiday. Good luck! QUESTIONS 1.  Before the Easter Bunny became a bunny, he was something else. What was he? A.  Hare B.  Dog C.  Turtle D.   Cat 2.  What is the most popular color for jelly beans in the U.S.? A.  Yellow B.  Green C.  Blue D.  Red 3.  How is the date for Easter determined every year? A.  The first full moon in March B.  The first Sunday after the spring equinox C.  The first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox D.  On t...

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...

"Do I need an attorney?" This question echos in the minds of everyone who experiences most challenging situations - especially ones with obvious legal ramifications. How do you know when you need to hire an attorney and when to navigate the situation by yourself? The short answer is that hiring an attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks can almost always benefit you in some way, but there are certain situations wherein hiring an attorney is critical. Here are a few examples. 1. When You Have Been Physically Injured Insurance companies are just that - companies. They are out to make a profit, and unfortunately, that profit often comes at the expense of their customers. Insurance companies will usually find any reason they can to deny your claim. If you have suffered an injury and are facing expensive medical bills and missed time from work, a personal injury lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks may be able to help relieve some of your financial pressures. 2. When You Have ...

It doesn't matter how you approach the situation - divorce is stressful. If there are children involved, the process becomes even more complex and emotionally charged. Fathers who have been closely involved in their children's lives and strongly desire to obtain sole (or at least joint ) custody of their children may face particularly unique challenges. This week, the attorneys at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to equip fathers with some important information they need to know about preparing for a custody battle. 1. Be Clear About Your Goals From The Very Beginning At the very start of your custody case , identify your ideal outcome and make it known. If you want sole legal custody, say so. If you want joint physical custody with significant visitation rights, say so. You and your divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks need to be able to work together towards a common goal. Being honest with yourself about your desired outcome (and all of...

As the owner of a your own business, your career is probably one of the most important aspects of your life. It's likely the first thing you think about when you wake up and the last thing you think about before you fall asleep. It's your job, your livelihood, and the way you support your family. While you probably plan to pursue it for many years, you will eventually wish to retire. What will happen to your business when that times comes? Our business attorneys in Camden County MO can help you devise the proper strategy. The Importance Of A Business Exit Strategy By the time you retire, your business will hopefully have evolved into a thriving entity with many customers. What happens to these customers when you are ready to retire? Just as entrepreneurs must decide how to incorporate their company and what type of accounting system to use, they must also decide what should happen to their company when they decide to retire. Examples Of Business Exit Strategies...

When two parents are married and living in the same home, it goes without saying that they share the financial responsibilities of raising their children. If that couple gets divorced, however, the division of these financial responsibilities becomes more complicated. When a child spends the majority of his time at one parent's household, how can that parent be sure that the other is fulfilling his or her share the financial responsibilities? That's where child support comes in. The Concept Behind Child Support The custodial parent assumes responsibility for the majority of the daily expenses associated with raising children, such as the cost of: Food Clothing Living accommodations Daycare Medical bills Education Th e burden of these e xpenses can be alleviated by the non-custodial parent helps alleviate the burden of these expenses by giving money to the custodial parent. This payment is called "child support." Child support is a legal order, and ...