Estate Planning
Obtaining Duplicate Birth and Death Certificates in Missouri
When legal matters require official documentation of births or deaths, Missouri residents have convenient options for obtaining duplicate original certificates through their local health departments. Understanding the process can save time and ensure you receive the proper documentation for your needs. Where to Obtain Duplicate Birth and Death Certificates Missouri residents can quickly obtain their…
Read MoreDigital Estate Planning: Missouri’s New Digital Age
Missouri’s New Electronic Estate Planning Law Digital estate planning will be recognized as valid under Missouri law as of August 28, 2025. On July 10, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 754 and SB 221 into law, officially enacting the Missouri Uniform Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act. Starting August 28, 2025, Missourians…
Read MoreWhy Opening a Probate Estate Within One Year Matters in Missouri
When a loved one passes away, the legal steps that follow can feel overwhelming. Grief, paperwork, and family responsibilities can easily delay action. However, a critical deadline under Missouri law should not be overlooked: the requirement to open a probate estate within one year of the decedent’s death. Why it Matters In Missouri, if no…
Read MoreMissouri Power of Attorney for Mental Incapacity: Ensuring Your Wishes Are Honored
When it comes to planning for the future, clients often focus on the transfer of assets portion of estate planning, such as wills, trusts, and non-probate transfers. However, one critical document that is often overlooked is a power of attorney (POA). In Missouri, having a power of attorney in place to assist when you are…
Read MoreButler County Missouri Auction of Farm Ground
Our firm is involved with an upcoming Butler County, Missouri auction of farm ground and a house. Under Missouri law, each co-owner of real estate or personal property generally has a right to have the property physically divided or sold with the proceeds distributed. The legal term for this division is “partition.” Although a Missouri…
Read MoreFive Reasons Why Estate Planning is Important
Estate planning is the process of making a plan for the management and distribution of your assets in the event of your death or incapacitation. It’s an important step that everyone should take, regardless of their age or financial situation. Five Reasons Why Estate Planning is Important To protect your loved ones: If you don’t…
Read MoreWhat is a Guardian and What Do They Do?
In Missouri, a guardian doesn’t “save the galaxy”, but plays an important role nevertheless. A guardian is appointed by the court to be responsible for someone who is unable to take responsibility for themselves. The person for whom guardianship is sought is called the “ward”. A ward may be either a minor child under the…
Read MoreNational Healthcare Decisions Day
Saturday, April 16, 2016, is the annual National Healthcare Decisions Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is an event established to encourage Americans to become more educated about end-of-life issues and to plan for the future. The theme for 2016 is “It Always Seems Too Early, Until It’s Too Late.” These issues are important, but seldom…
Read MoreWhat is a life estate and what does it do?
A life estate in property is a curious ownership structure. The structure includes two distinct owners. The first is called the life tenant and the second is called the remainderman. The life tenant can use the property during his or her life in the same way that he would if there was no remainderman with…
Read MoreUnclaimed Property in Missouri
There is plenty of unclaimed property in the state of Missouri, in fact, more than $822 million dollars. One in ten Missourians has property just waiting to be claimed, with the and the average amount held by the state equaling $300.00. Unclaimed Property comes from financial institutions, insurance companies, public agencies, rural utilities and other…
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