An irrevocable trust created after a lawsuit looms protects nothing. Missouri courts can unwind these transfers as fraudulent under Chapter 428 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, regardless of how carefully the document was drafted. The timing of decisions in most asset protection cases determines whether a judge will ever read…
A stroke. A car accident. Sudden hospitalization. Any of these can leave you unable to manage your finances or make medical decisions by tomorrow morning. Without a durable power of attorney already in place, your family’s only option is to ask a probate court to appoint a conservator. This process…
Missouri courts will not issue letters of administration more than one year after the date of death. Missing that window means full estate administration is out of the question. Waiting Too Long to Open the Estate Twenty days after a death, anyone interested in the estate may petition the court…
Trusts are such powerful and effective tools when they are used correctly. Litigation can still happen though, and usually for common reasons. Often, the litigation arises because families used the internet or an inexperienced attorney to put their trust together. In other cases, family disputes can arise even if the…
Probate disputes are difficult to deal with. Missouri probate can be complicated and lengthy when parties are battling over assets or inheritance. Understanding why these disputes come up can help you handle them, and avoid them. Having the right attorney at your side can make all the difference. The estate…
Avoiding probate is a such a helpful way to ensure your assets pass the way you want them to after you die. Your loved ones and beneficiaries will already be dealing with the grief of losing you, they don’t need the added stress and delays associated with Missouri probate. By…
Making sure your will is actually valid is critically important. Not only do you want your wishes honored, you want to make sure your assets aren’t distributed according to intestacy laws. There are specific requirements you have to follow to make sure your will is valid. It is always best…
Having the right estate plan in place can make all the difference for Missouri families. It can give you peace of mind and help you know your beneficiaries are protected. If you’ve never done an estate plan before, 2026 is the time to get started. If it’s been a while…
If you recently lost a loved one, you might wondering if the estate has to go through Missouri probate. Probate can seem intimidating, with all of the deadlines and court filings it requires. On your own, the process can be complicated and contain legal risks if you make mistakes, but…
Too many Missouri residents go without a will, or try to do one on their own. There are countless websites that will let you do a “free will” or one that seems really cheap. Unfortunately, these are usually created by non-lawyers, often from out-of-state. They often fail to meet the…
