Avoid Chaos With An Operating Agreement

An agreement and pen

When a business owner decides to file their Limited Liability Company (LLC) on their own, creating a thorough Operating Agreement is the step that is most often overlooked. Often, many commonly omitted details can be avoided when you go through the process of forming your LLC with a professional.

Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times

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While we cannot control the next catastrophe, what we can do is prepare to be in a better position to care for our families, finances, and medical decisions in emergency situations.

You Have the Right to Refuse an Inheritance

Model of a home next to a key and money

When you receive a gift from someone’s estate, you can refuse to accept the gift for any reason. This is called “disclaiming” the gift. When you disclaim a gift, you have no right to decide who gets it. Instead, the inheritance will pass on to the next beneficiary listed. Once the decision is made and legally filed, it is not revocable.

How a Beneficiary Deed Works

Hands holding pens over a legal document

Assets can be placed directly into a living trust to avoid probate, but also in some situations, you may choose to instead transfer the property by beneficiary deed. A beneficiary deed lists who the owner wants to inherit the property after his/her death. The new deed must be signed and recorded with the office of … continue reading the entire article

Why is a Business Succession Plan Important?

Family Business Meeting at Conference Table

Every business owner knows that building a business takes dedication, commitment, hard work, sacrifice, sweat equity, and yes, a little luck. There is nothing quite like the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from owning a successful business, whether it is a partnership or a family-owned one. To maintain the fruits of your labor, … continue reading the entire article

How to Plan for Diminishing Capacity

Older couple in kitchen holding wine glasses

Estate planning conversations shouldn’t focus solely on what will happen to your assets after death, but also on what may happen if you experience diminishing mental capacity during your lifetime as a result of an accident, disease, medication, or dementia. It can happen at any age. A General Durable Power of Attorney (POA) focuses primarily … continue reading the entire article

Digital Assets and Your Estate Plan

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Did you know that access to an electronic record is considered a digital asset? You should establish a way to keep track of important logins, passwords, access keys, and personal identification numbers (PINs) to ensure your family and power of attorney can access important online and electronic records when the need arises. Make a list … continue reading the entire article

It’s Good Business to Protect Your Personal Assets

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The most important decision you make as a business owner, whether starting a new business, purchasing a business, or reviewing a current business entity, is choosing the legal structure that will protect your personal assets. There are three business structures to consider in Missouri. Legal Business Structures in Missouri Each of these three business structures … continue reading the entire article

Why You Should Get it in Writing

Woman's hands holding a pen and paper with text on it and a man's hands holding a pen and smartphone

These may be the four most important words for an entrepreneur or small-business owner who often operates on a “handshake” principle: Get it in writing. The challenge and excitement of starting a new business can lead to entering business agreements haphazardly or with the complete trust of the other party, especially if it is with … continue reading the entire article