O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Making end-of-life decisions is not everyone’s favorite topic, but it can help relieve the burden of tough decisions for your loved ones, after you pass. Ensure your wishes are carried out with a legally sound estate plan at the Lake of the Ozarks . Our estate planning attorney in Camden County, MO gets a lot of questions surrounding this sensitive topic and we’re here to help answer some of the most commonly asked questions. What is my estate? The term “estate” is sometimes thought of as being your home – where you live, but that’s not entirely the case in the legal world of estate planning, where it is defined as being all property someone owns at the time of death. Whether it’s investments, real estate or personal property, there are many more items included in a probate estate than a home. Should I hire an attorney to draft me estate planning documents? There are resources available to draft an estate plan but unfortunately, many of these documents don’t contain the ne...

Spring will be here before we know it and it’s time to start gearing up for some late-winter and early-spring events at the Lake of the Ozarks! Our area has a number of events throughout the year. That means there’s tons of opportunities to get out and get more involved in the community. Our Lake of the Ozarks law center is here to help point out some of the exciting upcoming events you and your crew can enjoy. Polar Plunge February 29th Lake of the Ozarks State Park PB #2 This "unbearable" event is a unique opportunity to show your bravery as you support local Special Olympics athletes by plunging into the frigid winter waters. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Missouri. SOMO exists to provide year-round sports and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and our athletes need you to get involved. Participants must be at least 10 years old and raise a minimum of $75 by event day. The Polar Plunge is a project of the Law Enforcement Torc...

Many decisions should be made when planning for end of life. Among them, the type of burial you’d like should be included. You may or may not have thought about burial types before but our estate planning attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help compare the two most popular burial methods. Read on as we compare the difference between a traditional burial and cremation. What is a Traditional Burial: A traditional burial is when a body is laid to rest in the ground. A body is placed into a casket and lowered into the ground to it’s final resting place. This is a more traditional form of body disposal. Quick Comparison Points about Burial: Timeframe – burial is typically within a week after death. In recent years this has become a little more flexible, but the body usually needs to be laid to rest in the ground shortly after the time of death. Paying Respects – traditional burial consists of a visitation in a funeral home or church, followed by a burial ceremony a...

The probate process is put in place to address a deceased person’s final debts and distribute their remaining estate. Going into probate can seem overwhelming for many but it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might think. With an experienced estate planning attorney near the Lake of the Ozarks on your side, you can feel better prepared for the obstacles that lie ahead. Learn some tips that can make preparing for probate a bit easier. Be Transparent with Family The death of a loved one is an emotionally challenging time for those who have been left behind and adding the stresses of handling their estate to the mix can leave high tensions for the family. While you are still able to make an impact, it’s best to be open and up front with your family about your wishes and expectations. We understand each family has their own unique dynamics and the decisions are ultimately up to you, but we find it can be easier if key family members know in advance what’s happening with the es...