Blog

After an accident, the laws of Missouri allow the injury victim to file a claim for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits may take years to resolve and can result in a large financial award or settlement to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and any other damages.  Depending on t...

While many people post images and videos to social media of partying or having a good time, posting images of drinking or doing drugs can be used as evidence in a criminal case. Videos of drinking shots, smoking weed, or videos showing the individual appears impaired can be admissible in court. ...

No one gets married with divorce in mind. But over time situations and people change, and a couple may decide that separating is the best option. According to the American Psychological Association, about 40% to 50% of married couples in the U.S. end up getting divorced. However, divorce rates ea...

Stress in a relationship can be triggered by seasonal events, like the financial stress of the holidays. Couples going through a separation may even consider the tax implications of a divorce and wait a little longer to file for divorce. There may be no ideal time of year to file for divorce, but...

Many families in Missouri are seeing their kids off from home to a college or university. Whether the new college-bound students are off to the University of Missouri, to Kansas University in Lawrence, or thousands of miles away, these young people may be facing new challenges. Unfortunately, som...

An ignition interlock device (IID) is like a breathalyzer for the ignition on your car. Also referred to as a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in Missouri, the device is installed in a vehicle and requires blowing a “clean” breath sample in order to start and continue operating th...

When parents are fighting over child custody after a separation or divorce, a parent may go to great lengths to get the upper hand in court. This can include gathering evidence from past social media posts or activities, even if they happened before the individual ever became a parent. Even if yo...

Stores in Missouri advertise sales on kids clothes and school supplies weeks before kids return to school after a summer break. The summer may have flown by but back to school means children are starting a new year of education. As children continue to mature and start new activities, back-to-sch...

Common law marriage allows for a couple to be considered formally married even if they have not had a wedding or not been formally married under according to civil or religious ceremony. When people present themselves as being married (even without formal marriage), some states allow the couple t...

After an arrest in Missouri, a bail hearing will generally be held to determine if and how much bail should be required before the defendant can be released. Bail is supposed to give a financial motivation for the individual to show up to court and not flee the state. However, bail also favors th...

There are a number of lakes, rivers, and waterways across Missouri that give residents the chance to cool off on a hot summer's day. Recreation includes boating, fishing, kayaking, jet skis, wakeboarding, and swimming. Many people like to spend their time on the water while relaxing with a drink....

Student loan debt is increasing for young people across the country. According to one survey, 58% of 2017 graduates in the state of Missouri leave with student loan debt. The average amount of debt nationally for 2017 grads is $28,650. Students pursuing advanced degrees can end up hundreds of tho...

After the 4th of July, many of us wake up to the sight of charred cardboard from fireworks on the street, a stray bottle rocket stick, or maybe a couple of empty cans leftover from the night before. Unfortunately, others wake up the morning after the 4th of July in jail with the possibility of cr...

A man from Columbia was arrested Sunday, June 23, 2019, on suspicion of felony robbery. The robbery allegedly occurred over the sale of a PlayStation gaming console. A spokesperson from the Columbia Police Department, Jeff Pitts, stated that Marquan Dejuan Pitre, age 18, traveled to the alleged ...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has authored a memo meant to create changes to the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. In the memo to state agencies, the USDA encouraged state directors of SNAP programs to institute requirements that any beneficiary c...

When most people think of a DUI charge (called DWI in Missouri), they typically picture a person intoxicated by alcohol. They may even picture open containers of beer or liquor strewn about the car. However, it is just as possible to become intoxicated by marijuana and be charged with a Missouri ...

Co-parenting your children following a divorce, or during the divorce process, can be tricky and difficult. However, there are tips and tricks to better communicating and cooperating with your former or soon to be former spouse. Ultimately, as a parent, your desire is to spend time with your chil...

During the pendency of a Missouri divorce, it is not totally uncommon for one spouse to become unemployed during the proceedings. This is especially true when the issue of spousal support or child support are raised. However, your spouse (soon to be former) cannot simply become unemployed in orde...

When a Missouri court orders child support payments from one parent to the other, it is important that the person obligated to pay actually does pay what is owed. When the other parent fails to pay his or her child support obligations, you may be left asking, "What can I do about it?" There is m...

In any child custody proceeding, the outcome of the case will be based on any evidence presented to the court and witness testimony. Judges in child custody cases make decisions based on what they believe is in the best interests of the child. Understanding the important role of witnesses in a ch...

If you have recently filed for divorce or are contemplating it, you may have wondered if hiring a private investigator will help your case. Speaking to an attorney about the pros and cons of hiring an investigator is best before taking this step, as hiring a private investigator can add unnecessa...

Parental alienation occurs when one parent attempts to influence a child's views of the other parent with negative statements, interference with visitation, and other actions to discourage a child from having a positive, loving relationship with the other parent. Many counselors and researchers ...

Most pet owners feel that their pets are a part of their family. Unfortunately, if you are going through a divorce, ownership of a pet is legally considered the same as ownership of other property, like furniture or vehicles. In many divorce cases, which spouse will keep a beloved pet can become ...

When you think a divorce may be in your future, or if you have already been served with paperwork by your spouse, it is a good idea to gather important documents that you will need while your case is pending. Keep these documents in a safe place such as a safety deposit box. If you are unable to ...

During a divorce, you will need to make difficult decisions regarding the division of property, such as who will take ownership of family pets and whether or not one spouse will stay in the marital home. In addition to dividing real estate and personal property, you may also need to consider inta...