O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Family law encompasses a broad range of legal services. Since family law issues deal specifically with the people nearest and dearest to us, emotions tend to run high among those involved in a family lawsuit. As your dedicated family attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks , I am here to take the burden off of your shoulders as much as I can. Keep reading to learn more about some of the family law services I offer and how I may be able to help you with your next case. Divorce Divorce is, unfortunately, a fact of life for nearly half of all married couples in the United States. Dissolving any marriage is challenging and emotional, but often it becomes even more challenging when the couple shares children and/or significant assets or debts. In high-stakes divorces such as these, securing representation from an experienced divorce attorney in Camden County MO is essential. Adoption Regardless of the reason you choose to adopt, the decision to welcome a new child into your family ...

If you're one of the hundreds of couples to have gotten engaged over the holidays, chances are you are already knee-deep in the wedding planning process. There is much to discuss - how many guests you want to invite, where you want to get married, whom to have in your bridal party, and countless other details must be attended to. Of course, planning the wedding itself isn't the only task ahead of couples planning to get married. O'Donnell Law Center is here to remind you of another important task to address as you prepare to enter into a new marriage. Building A Prenuptial Agreement If you are getting married in the near future, consider establishing a prenuptial agreement. This agreement sets the basic ground rules for which of your assets and liabilities will be shared and which will be kept separate. It helps outline how assets and liabilities will be divided in the event of a divorce, which can be especially valuable in relationships where one of the spouses...

Virtually every newlywed couple dreams of forever when they say "I do." Unfortunately, the divorce rate in the United States is currently hovering around 50%, which means that roughly half of all new marriages will end at some point. Divorce is the most common means by which a marriage comes to an end, but it is not the only option. Today, our family attorney in Osage Beach MO is here to help educate you on another means by which marriages may end: annulments. What Is An Annulment? An annulment is similar to a divorce in that it marks the dissolution of a marriage. Unlike a divorce, however, an annulment wipes the slate clean and makes it such that, in a legal sense, the marriage never even existed. An annulment essentially declares a marriage "null and void." Couples who get divorced are recognized as having been married previously, but couples who get their marriage annulled receive no such recognition. Why Get An Annulment? Divorce typically results...

There are few times in a person's life as romantic as planning a wedding. Once you've gotten engaged to the man/woman of your dreams, your life may seem like a whirlwind of planning and excitement. Amidst all of this excitement, however, it is important to dedicate some time and attention to one slightly less romantic (but equally critical) part of the process: building a prenuptial agreement . Understanding The Importance Of A Prenuptial Agreement Barring certain unusual circumstances, no newlywed couple thinks their marriage will end in divorce. Since the U.S. divorce rate continues to hover around fifty percent, however, the unfortunate truth is that approximately half of these newlywed couples will eventually experience it. Hopefully it won't happen to you, but it is important to be be prepared just in case. Building a prenuptial agreement is an important part of being prepared. By building this document before you say "I do," you can establish some ...

Filing for divorce at the Lake of the Ozarks marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one filled with possibilities and unknowns. Almost every aspect of the couple's lives will change, but finances are a factor that weigh particularly heavy on the minds of many divorcing couples. This is especially true for couples in which one individual makes significantly more money than the other or in which one individual stays at home with the children, not bringing in any income whatsoever. In these situations, alimony may be awarded to help offset the financial discrepancies. Alimony - A Quick Overview Alimony is designed to help divorced individuals who may not earn enough income to support themselves in the manner they were accustomed to during the marriage. Sometimes called "spousal support" or "maintenance," alimony is a monthly payment the higher-earning spouse is ordered to pay the lower-earning spouse. The Courts recognize that in many sit...

For those who you who may be getting married in the near future: congratulations! Marriage is a grand adventure that will be unlike anything else you have ever experienced. In addition to its many social impacts, marriage has some legal implications, too. If you and your fiance have not done so already, it's important to set aside some time during your wedding planning and discuss the possibility of establishing a prenuptial agreement.   O'Donnell Law Center  may be able to help. What Is A Prenuptial Agreement? Simply put, a prenuptial agreement (also known as a "prenup") is a written agreement between you and your spouse-to-be  that you enter into before you tie the knot. This document serves as a basic guideline for how your assets will be distributed in the event of death or divorce. Obviously, no engaged couple wants to think about the possibility of their marriage ending, but unfortunately, death is a fact of life for everyone, and divor...

The terms "estate planning" and "probate" or "probate administration" have to do with designating what will happen to your assets and belongings after you pass. As your experienced family attorney in Osage Beach , Deirdre O'Donnell is here to make sense of estate planning and probate administration at the Lake of the Ozarks . Estate Planning at the Lake of the Ozarks Estate planning is exactly what it sounds like - planning your estate. It is the process of organizing your property and financial assets to determine who they will go to after you pass. Wills and trusts are documents that provide this information. Planning your estate ahead of time is a fairly simple process, but it saves lots of time energy for your heirs after you are gone. Your physical belongings are not the only things to be attended to after you pass. If you have children under the age of eighteen, you will also need to recommend a new legal guardian for them if somet...