O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Choosing to remarry is a big decision, and one to celebrate enthusiastically. A second marriage is a chance to start fresh, to put the troubles of the past behind you and celebrate a new chapter of your life with someone you love. In the midst of all the excitement, however, there are several details that need attention. Your estate plan provides a perfect example. A second marriage can significantly impact your estate plan, and it's important to make sure the transition is executed effectively. Our estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you navigate the process. Below are a few of the steps you should take to update your estate plan after you remarry. (Note: these steps are not necessarily listed in order of importance.) Discuss Your Financial Situation Honesty is a crucial component of any successful marriage. As you enter into your new marital partnership, it's important to have an open conversation about your financial situation with y...

If you are facing criminal charges, your entire life could be about to change. Depending on your charges, you may have several months (or even years) of litigation ahead of you. Even after the trial process is finally over, you may continue to face challenges - especially if you are convicted. As an experienced criminal attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks , I have seen many people suffer the consequences of a criminal conviction. A conviction can result in several undesirable lifelong consequences. Keep reading to learn how having a criminal conviction may impact your life for years to come. Consequences Of Having A Criminal Conviction Being convicted of a crime will undoubtedly have a major impact on your life. At the very least, you may be required to pay steep fines, serve time in jail or prison, and possibly serve time on parole or probation. Even after you have paid your dues and gotten past these initial consequences, you will likely continue to see the impact of your c...

You've probably heard the words "arrested," "charged," "convicted," and "sentenced" multiple times, but are you familiar with what each word means? Though they are sometimes used rather interchangeably by laypersons, each of these words has its own specific definition and application. Your criminal defense attorney is here to help you understand the unique distinctions between these criminal defense terms. Arrested To be "arrested" means to be taken into custody, usually to a county or municipal jail, by law enforcement and not being free to leave. Being arrested is not the same as being charged with a crime; once an individual has been arrested, the prosecuting attorney has a short period of time to file charges with the court. If charges are not filed, the arrested individual is usually released from custody. Charged To be "charged" with a crime means you have been named as a criminal defendant and an offi...

Personal injury law is a unique legal discipline with a set of challenges and potential setbacks all its own. Individuals seeking personal injury representation are not only suffering from the injuries they have received; if you are seeking legal representation, it most likely means that you have suffered from the neglect of another. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another person, company, or organization, hiring a personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks can help increase your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Types Of Personal Injury Cases There are several different reasons someone may need to seek legal representation for their injuries. Below are a few of the most common types of personal injury cases at the Lake of the Ozarks . Work Related Injuries Despite everyone's best intentions to create and maintain a safe working environment, accidents at work can (and do) happen. Workers' compensation ...

End of life decisions can be hard to make, but they are critical. If you do not properly organize your affairs before passing, state statutes may direct the division of your property. Fortunately, planning your estate becomes a lot easier when you have an estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks to guide you through the process. Here are a few things you will want to consider when you build your estate plan. Determine How To Pay For Your Burial Do you have a plan for how your funeral and burial will be paid for? After you pass away, your personal representative will likely be expected to satisfy this cost from the assets of your estate. If there is not enough cash in your estate to satisfy this debt, property and other assets may have to be sold. Decide When To Distribute Assets To Your Heirs When do you wish for your assets to be distributed to your heirs? If your children are under the age of eighteen, you may want to establish a trust that will allow you to des...