O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Locally owned businesses are the backbone of a strong community. According to the 2010 Census, there are almost 30 million small businesses registered in the United States.  At the Lake of the Ozarks, we have many incredible local businesses. These businesses reflect the personality of our area. We are proud to be a locally owned business and we love the community we are in. Shopping locally helps to improve the local economy. When a consumer buys locally, the money they spend benefits the community and helps to support the business owner who is invested not only in their own business, but in the area in which they conduct their business. You will establish a personal connection. When you are working with a locally owned business, you have an opportunity to establish a personal connection with someone invested in the company. Having to call a 1-800 number can be a nightmare for many and the customer service representative may be far removed from the decision-maki...

New Year’s Eve is an exciting time that is meant for celebrations of all kinds. Whether that’s a family get together or a party with friends, New Year’s Eve is fun for everyone. While it’s a time that is meant for bringing in the new year with celebration, it’s also a time when safety isn’t always a priority. New Year’s Even Dangers The combination of people out celebrating and the prominent role that drinking often plays at events makes New Year’s Even one of the most common nights of the year for both injuries and accidents. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), roughly one out of ten accidents that occur in December and January happen over the New Year holiday. The hours that lead up to midnight and the early morning of January 1 are the most dangerous. Some common types of accidents that occur during New Year’s Eve include: Car accidents Slips and falls Pedestrian accidents Accidental fires and fireworks injuries Safety Tips for New Year’s Eve ...

In a news article from USA Today, an unconscious 70-year-old man was rushed to the emergency room. When he arrived, he had no identification, and no one with him. What he did have was a tattoo across his chest that said, “Do Not Resuscitate”. His tattoo even included his signature. This put the emergency room doctors in an ethical dilemma. Do you honor the tattoo and let the man die or do you save him? Check out the rest of the article here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/12/02/florida-mans-do-not-resuscitate-tattoo-creates-ethical-dilemma-doctors/915916001/ The creative, outside-of-the-box thinking demonstrated by this gentleman underscores the importance of having properly executed estate planning documents, and especially an advance directive. The Strength Behind a Power of Attorney When it comes to a power of attorney and advanced planning, you should sit down regularly with your trusted loved ones and discuss not only your intentions but also ...

Lawyers, like many professionals, must keep up their education. The world around us is constantly changing and it’s important that we stay on top of those changes. There are new laws, changes to current laws and sometimes changes in the method of how law is practiced. Attorneys are required to attend a certain number of hours of continuing education annually. By attending continuing education workshops and seminars, we can stay on top of changes and issues and we are able to perform our jobs better. Last week, Deirdre O’Donnell was in Savannah Georgia continuing her education for Federal Criminal Defense. She was at a workshop learning about the new laws and regulations.  This also gave her the opportunity to network with other attorneys from around the country. In addition to Federal Criminal Defense, we also practice Criminal Defense at the Municipal and State level. While Deirdre was walking to class enjoying t he Spanish M...

Have you ever been reminded by Facebook of the birthday of someone who has passed away? Some find it uncomfortable and sad, for others, it is a pleasant memory of those lost. This is life today. Social media and the online world plays a major role in our everyday lives, but have you ever considered what happens to your online presence once you die? It’s not something we necessarily want to think about, but it’s something you should think about. Our social media accounts may live online long after we are gone. Here are some interesting facts and information about the digital afterlife provided by Who Is Hosting This? . The Digital Afterlife There are 30+ million accounts on Facebook that belong to people that are deceased. The year 2060 is the approximate point when there will be more deceased people on Facebook than live ones. 47% of adults access social media websites, but only 20% have considered what happens to their online profiles after death. Different companie...