O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Though every newlywed couple dreams of a lifetime together, divorce is unfortunately a fact of life for many people. Recent statistics show that the divorce rate for first marriages range between 40-50%, and that the divorce rate for second marriages can be even higher. When children are involved, the divorce process often becomes more challenging and  stressful. Even though they do not share the same household anymore, most couples will share the responsibilities of raising and supporting their children. This week, O'Donnell Law Center  examines the financial aspect of this shared responsibility. An Overview Of Child Support Child support flows from a court or administrative order that allocates between the parents  the costs associated with raising children in separate households. Suppose, for example, that post-divorce, the children will live with the mother during the week and with the father on weekends (or perhaps every other weekend). Since the mother ha...

What do you think are the most pressing issues on divorcing couple's minds? Determining how to divide jointly held property and assets is usually high on the list of priorities. Finding a fair and equitable way to divide property and assets is always essential. O'Donnell Law Center is here to help you get a better understanding how how these elements are typically divided during a divorce. Identifying All Properties & Assets The first step a person should take is to make a clearly defined list of all the properties and assets accumulated during the marriage. Such property may include: Your primary residence A second / vacation home Commercial land / buildings Vehicles Boats Valuable jewelry, antiques, and other pieces (or collectibles) Bank accounts Retirement accounts Life insurance policies CDs Stocks Bonds Cash   Marital And Non-Marital Property Missouri is considered a "dual-property" state. This means that property (as ...

Filing for divorce is a big undertaking. Your life as you know it is about to change dramatically and permanently. Divorce proceedings can be challenging, time-consuming, and complicated, especially in high-asset divorces, even when there isn't a custody dispute. In order to set yourself up for success, you'll want to be sure that you get all your ducks in a row before really diving into the process. As your trusted divorce attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks , I'm here to share with you some of the important steps you should take before filing for divorce in Camden County MO .  1. Organize All Financial Documents One of the most challenging and intricate aspects of getting divorced is dividing financial assets and responsibilities. Before filing for divorce, you will want to have access to all documents that outline your assets and liabilities so that down the road you and your attorney can more accurately assess them with a value and determine which assets and deb...

By nature, divorce tends to be messy, stressful, and overwhelming. Even if you and your spouse are in equal agreement that divorce is the right decision, you will still have to separate two lives that were inextricably combined for the past months or years. There is rarely an easy path (although some paths are certainly more challenging than others). The team at O'Donnell Law Center has a great deal of experience helping couples successfully navigate high-asset divorces at the Lake of the Ozarks  - but this concept can be confusing to some. What exactly counts as a "successful" divorce? What Count As A Successful Divorce? Before we can discuss what the characteristics of a successful divorce are, we must address what a successful divorce is not . A successful divorce does not mean getting everything that you want. It is extremely rare that divorcing individuals walk away from the situation feeling like everything panned out exactly as they were hoping it woul...

Even for the most mature, emotionally grounded individuals, divorce can be incredibly challenging and stressful. Even when both parties agree that divorce is the best option for everyone involved, emotions tend to run high and it can be hard to stay level-headed. Your Lake of the Ozarks divorce attorney can help you navigate your divorce in such a way that is as stress free and rational as possible. If you are getting a divorce at the Lake of the Ozarks , what you don't do can be just as important as what you do do. Here are a few reminders on what NOT to do, courtesy of the team at O'Donnell Law Center . Don't Forget To Update Your Will If you and your spouse had established a will while you were married, it is crucial that you update this document after the divorce is finalized. Chances are you will no longer want your now-ex-spouse to be your healthcare power of attorney, for example, and your assets may have changed during the divorce proceedings. You will want...

Time marches on! The years pass slowly but surely, bringing with them new stages of life and countless new adventures, new challenges, and new joys. Each stage of life also comes with its own unique set of legal needs, and the team at O'Donnell Law Center will be here with you along every step of the way. No matter where you are in your journey, our attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks will be here to provide you with the legal representation you need. Twenties This is such an exciting time! Young individuals are earning their degrees and embarking on their adult lives, defining who they are and carving out their niches in life. As you get married and begin to acquire assets such as homes, vehicles, and perhaps IRAs or other retirement plans, it is important to establish a will. This legal document dictates who will receive these assets if something happens to you. The team at O'Donnell Law Center can help you establish a will at the Lake of the Ozarks . If you a...