PMCW Law

Memorial Day Weekend is a time to celebrate. The three-day weekend gives many of us the opportunity to get away for a mini-vacation (or perhaps extend a longer one), reconnect with friends and family we haven't seen in a while, and enjoy the excitement of a new summer season at the Lake. Through all the fun, though, it is important that we set aside a few moments to honor the true origins and purpose of this bittersweet holiday. The True Message Of Memorial Day Weekend Every year, hundreds (sometimes thousands) of American soldiers lose their lives in the line of duty. These brave men and women sacrifice everything so that the rest of us may continue to live in a safe, free country. Their families also pay a great sacrifice, as they lose the ones they love and the chance to celebrate holidays (or spend time on any other occasion) with their beloveds. Amidst all the festivities, we must not forget to pay tribute to the families who paid (and continue to pay) the ultimate sa...

While adoption isn't for everyone, for many families it provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to welcome another child into their lives and for a child to become a part of a loving, supportive home she may not otherwise have had. Since adopting a child will change your life forever in inexplicable (and in many unexpected) ways, it is important to give careful consideration to all aspects of the process before deciding to move forward with it. This week, our family attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to help you examine one aspect you will need to consider about the process: closed vs open adoptions. Closed Adoptions When most people think of the adoption process, they think of closed adoptions. In the past, virtually every adoption that took place was a closed adoption. It is only relatively recently that open adoptions have begun to be more common among certain families. While there is a growing trend in the United States away from closed adoptions, thi...

No married couple plans on getting divorced, but the unfortunate fact is that approximately 50% of all American marriages end in divorce. Due to the prevalence of divorce in our society today, there are countless resources available to couples preparing to go through the process. Many of these resources are geared towards providing the couple with helpful tips on way to make the process simpler or more streamlined. This week, our divorce attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to examine the situation from a different perspective. What NOT To Do During A Divorce Just as there are certain things you can do doing a divorce to ease the process, there are certain things that may significantly complicate things and therefore should be avoided whenever possible. Here is a quick look at a few things we recommend you avoid. 1. Assuming Things Have To Be Combative The media likes to dramatize divorce by making a show out of angry husbands and wives making each other miserable ...

Starting your own business from the ground up is one of the most exciting (not to mention daunting) tasks you'll undertake. A seemingly endless to-do list stretches out in front of you as you work your way towards your dream of working for yourself. Starting a business at the Lake of the Ozarks can be incredibly rewarding if done right, but it takes a lot of work and dedication. In order to prepare effectively, you have to go into the situation with your eyes open to all the possibilities. Our business attorneys in Camdenton MO are here to help you prepare by offering this quick overview of some of the facts you should be aware of. 7 Things Every Entrepreneur Needs To Know 1. Effective Time Management Is Essential. As the owner of your own business, you are your own boss. You don't have anyone else to answer to. That means that in order to succeed, you have to hold yourself accountable. As you decide how to spend your time, ask yourself: Will this action help my bus...

Understandably, privacy is very important to most people. In your personal life, you are generally entitled to a great deal of privacy - your and your family's affairs often do not have to be anybody's business but your own. At work, however, the line of privacy you are entitled to often becomes much more blurred. This week, our Lake of the Ozarks attorneys are here to help you better understand your privacy rights in the workplace. Your Computer As a general rule, if the equipment you use for work belongs to your employer, he or she has the right to search its contents or monitor its use. This applies to several things, including your computer. If you are using a company-owned computer, your employer will likely be allowed to search your browser history and the files saved on your machine. Your employer will likely also be allowed to monitor your web activity throughout the day, such as by tracking which websites you visit.  Your Emails While emails may seem like...

Custody agreements are court-ordered arrangements that dictate how divorced parents shall share the responsibility of raising their children. Since most parents understandably want to spend as much time with their children as possible, being awarded substantial time in the custody agreement is often a top priority for parents in the middle of a divorce. Once the custody agreement is in place, it is important that both parents abide by the limitations and boundaries it presents. Unfortunately, not all parents do. This week, our family attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to examine what happens when one parent violates a custody arrangement. What Constitutes A Violation Of A Custody Agreement? Before we can discuss the consequences of violating a custody agreement, we must clarify what counts as a legitimate violation of said agreement. Just because a certain behavior is frustrating or inconsiderate (such as your ex being half an hour late to your child's schedul...

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...