Estate planning services refer to the process of managing and distributing one’s assets and properties after their death, in a way that ensures the smooth transfer of wealth to the intended beneficiaries while minimizing taxes and other expenses. Estate planning services may include drafting legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as providing guidance and advice on strategies for asset protection and wealth transfer. These services may be provided by lawyers, financial advisors, or other professionals with expertise in estate planning. Effective estate planning can help individuals achieve their long-term financial goals and provide peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.
Here are answers to a few of the commonly asked questions regarding Special Needs Trusts (SNT) in Missouri. What is a Special Needs Trust? A special needs trust is a trust designed for beneficiaries who are disabled, either physically or mentally. It is written so the beneficiary can enjoy the use of property that is […]
Hearing the news that Justice Antonin Scalia died came as a surprise. It made me think of the impact he had – on the nation as a whole and on me. As a young law school student, I was presented with several methods of interpreting the US Constitution. Scalia’s way of explaining his method was […]
One common question clients have is, “How much Estate Tax will I owe?” For most clients, the answer is “None.” As of 2016, the United States Estate Tax Exemption is $5.45 million ($5,450,000) per person. There is portability of the exemption between married couples so married couples effectively have an exemption of $10.90 million. That […]
When one’s estate passes through probate in Missouri, there are a number of fees that the estate will face. There can be (1) bond premiums, (2) cost of publication in a local newspaper, (3) court costs, and the largest expense (4) attorney fees. By statute, Missouri law establishes a minimum fee schedule for estates passes […]
One of the most common instruments I prepare for clients is a Beneficiary Deed. What exactly is a Beneficiary Deed? A Beneficiary Deed, allows an owner of real estate to execute a deed that names a beneficiary who will own the property after the death of the owner without going through probate. During the owner’s […]
Benjamin Franklin said, “but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” We all know that someday we are going to die. In that way, it is completely predictable. Yet, since none of us know precisely when we will, we often feel that death is very unpredictable. Often my […]
Often I have clients schedule an initial consultation to discuss having a Last Will and Testament drafted for them. While I am happy to do this for clients, upon further discussion, most clients realize that what they actually want is something different than a Will. A Will is great for nominating guardians for minor children. […]
In Missouri, each county has a courthouse, but some counties (like Cape Girardeau) have multiple county courthouses, plus a federal courthouse, as well as a municipal court. Here is the contact information for each of these courthouses as well as county courthouses in the surrounding counties. Cape Girardeau County Courthouse Locations Cape Girardeau County Courthouse […]
We have a public system of justice and Missouri has a great way to allow the public to access most court records: Missouri CaseNet (www.courts.mo.gov). CaseNet is Missouri’s online access to public court records. It is available to anyone seeking information on court cases at those courts that are part of CaseNet. From an attorney standpoint, […]
If individuals choose to organize their affairs while they are alive, it is called Estate Planning. If individuals fail to plan while they are alive, then the process to organize their affairs is called Probate. Either way, if an individual has assets, his or estate will be organized by someone. Estate Planning focuses on getting […]
