O'Donnell Law Center : Lake of the Ozarks

Because it requires you to think critically about end-of-life decisions, estate planning often seems like a daunting prospect. None of us want to think about our eventual deaths. Unfortunately, none of us will live forever - it is important that we organize our affairs and build estate plans to ensure that our wishes will be met once we are no longer present. At our Lake of the Ozarks law firm , we dedicate a significant portion of our practice to estate planning. In order to easily guide our clients through their end-of-life decisions, we have condensed the process into three simple but comprehensive steps. Here is a quick overview of how we handle estate planning at the Lake of the Ozarks . Step 1:  Initial Meeting The first step is to meet with you to discuss your end-of-life wishes. We will ask various questions and guide you through certain topics to help you decide how and to whom you would like your assets to be distributed upon your passing. Some of the topics yo...

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...

Every one of us was born into this world at some point in time, and every one of us will pass on out of this world at another point in time. There are steps that should be taken before we pass in order to leave our survivors in good positions after we are gone. Here are some important things to think about as you begin planning your estate at the Lake of the Ozarks . Design A Will Your son may insist that you promised him your car after you passed, but your daughter may just as easily make the same claim. Verbally identifying which assets will be passed to whom is perfectly okay (and natural), but it won't be enough on its own. Your will is a legal document that will officially identify how your assets will pass to your heirs, and it will save your loved ones a lot of time and energy. If you have minor children, your will is also your opportunity to designate who you wish to be their guardian(s) in the event of your passing. Provide Healthcare Instructio...