O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Anything You Post May Be Used Against You In The Court Of Law The onset of social media drastically changed the judicial system as we knew it. Before, we relied largely on seeking out and retrieving physical evidence and witness testimony to build a case for court.  Social media, which now comes to us on our phones, introduced an entirely new method of building (and attacking) legal cases. Social media has become one of the first sources people go to when looking for evidence to support their cases. The team at O'Donnell Law Center is here to shed some light on how today's social media platforms influence the legal world. Understanding Basic Premises Social media has been used in courtrooms for several years now, and it is widely viewed as a valid, acceptable form of evidence. For this reason, deleting posts or deleting/deactivating accounts and profiles during legal proceedings is often considered tampering with evidence and can be subject to fines and other penalt

Women are playing increasingly prominent roles in the modern workforce. Women were once found almost exclusively in homes caring for their families, and now they are holding higher and higher positions of power in both small and large companies. In recognition of the contributions and achievements of working women, the Business & Professional Women's Foundation has designated this week (the third week of October) as National Business Women's Week . As a woman-owned business, O'Donnell Law Center is excited to celebrate this week-long observance. In honor of National Business Women's Week, we are dedicating today's blog to some of the business law services at the Lake of the Ozarks to our local professional women. Business Formation Starting a business is a thrilling - but often daunting - process. Our legal team is here to help take the weight off your shoulders by assisting with the formation process. We can help you determine which type of busines

"I'm calling my attorney!" When you hear the above phrase in movies or the media, it's often sensationalized, used as a threat, or only uttered in extreme circumstances. As a result, many people mistakenly assume that they should only reach out to an attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks in times of crisis. While it is true that having an attorney on your side during an extreme situation is valuable, you don't have to limit your contact with your attorney to these scenarios. In fact, there are many everyday situations where an attorney's counsel can be helpful. O'Donnell Law Center is here to provide a few examples. Hiring And Managing Employees As a business owner, ensuring that the proper steps are taken when hiring employees is essential. In order to protect your company's interests, you'll want to ensure that every detail receives proper attention. As your trusted business legal team, we can help you draft solid employee agreements an

8 in 10 Americans are in debt (Source: CNBC.com ) . We all dream of achieving a debt-free lifestyle, but the unfortunate truth is that most of us will never get there. However, having debt is not necessarily a bad thing. Car loans and mortgage loans, for instance, allow us to own cars and homes that we would never be able to afford if were limited to making out-of-pocket purchases. If you fall behind on payments, though, even "good" debt becomes a massive financial burden. If you or someone you know is struggling with delinquent debt, having a debt collections attorney on your side may be worth its weigh t in gold. Debt In America - A Brief Overview Americans are currently facing a debt crisis, with figures at all-time highs. Here are a few eye-opening statistics about the current debt level in America: The total outstanding consumer debt is $3.4 trillion.* 38.1% of households carry some amount of credit card debt.* Student loan debt currently exceeds all othe

In Missouri, when a couple files for divorce, one of the spouses may seek financial support from the other. This support, formerly referred to as alimony, is known as maintenance. A judge may make a maintenance order when one spouse cannot sustain living expenses and the other spouse is able to provide financial support. To help you understand the laws related to spousal maintenance, O’Donnell Law Center has outlined some points here. To continue this discussion please contact our Lake of the Ozarks family law attorney. When is Maintenance Awarded? A judge will determine whether a maintenance order will be awarded after evaluating several factors, including whether the spouse requesting support has sufficient income and resources, and whether the spouse can become self-supporting with job training or education. A spouse may also require support if he or she is the parent of a child, or children, who require in-home care and a job outside of the home would be unsuitable.