This is a common question, and fair one.A lot of people assume wills are for people with significant wealth, multiple properties, or complicated finances. If that's not you, it can feel unnecessary or like something you can deal with later. But the short answer is this - estate planning isn't...

What is Legal Custody? Legal custody refers to the rights, responsibilities, and authority relating to major decisions in a child's life. In Missouri, legal custody determines which parents have the power to make important decisions regarding a child's health, education, religious upbringing, and general welfare. Types of Legal Custody in...

Welcome to 2026 This year brought a change that some expected, but not in the way they thought. There was talk of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring and the federal estate and gift tax exemptions being cut in half. That didn’t happen. Instead, Congress raised the exemptions and...

To get assets into your trust, you need to either retitle the assets or use a non-probate transfer technique. For immediate transfer into your trust, you will need to retitle the asset in the name of the trustee, referencing also the trust name and creation date. This will look different...

To provide someone authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, you will need to complete a health care directive (or health care power of attorney). The health care directive designates your health care agent, sets forth the powers and duties your agent will receive, and...

Whether you can modify or revoke your living trust depends on its specific language. Typically, if you created a revocable living trust and are mentally competent, you can modify or revoke it at any time. If you're curious about your planning, check your trust document for specific provisions. On this...

Developing a healthy co-parenting relationship can be one of the most significant challenges parents face after separation or divorce. This post provides some high-level thoughts on how best to successfully navigate what can be the choppy waters Understanding Effective Co-Parenting Co-parenting is the shared responsibility of raising children when parents...

A sudden medical emergency can leave loved ones unable to make decisions or access important information when needed. Without advance planning, families can be left scrambling to figure out who can speak to doctors, access medical records, or handle urgent financial matters while you’re unable to handle these matters on...

Welcome to the first post in my Planning for Greatness with CITY SC series. It's a series I just made up, so we'll see how this goes. First off, and this is important, posts in my Planning for Greatness with CITY SC series are purely for fun and enjoyment -...

A beneficiary deed can be a helpful tool in estate planning. It offers a simple way to transfer real estate outside of probate while maintaining control of the property during your lifetime. But it's not the right fit for everyone. In some cases, property needs to be transferred immediately, not...

You’re here. You want to know a bit about revocable living trusts in Missouri. And you should be able to find everything you need below. But getting to the gist of things, a revocable living trust stands at the center of many effective estate plans in Missouri, offering control during...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is 870 pages long (or at least my version is). Just a few lines of one page of the bill covers an increase and extension to the federal estate tax exemption. We'll cover that below. The rest of the bill seems to focus on...

Estate planning is not about how much you have. It is about what you want to protect. Most families do not build estate plans solely for financial reasons. They do it because they care about who they leave behind. They want to make hard moments easier. They want to keep...

Most people are fine with a revocable trust. It keeps things simple and smooth, which is exactly what most families need. But sometimes, simple is not enough. If you are trying to protect assets, plan for long term care, or lower future tax bills, you might need more protection. This...

Estate planning isn't only for the wealthy. It matters to anyone who wants to make smart decisions about their family and finances. If you're considering a will or trust but feel unsure where to start, you're not alone. And this is a good place to start. Your Story Comes First:...

Abraham Lincoln held a divided nation together, ended slavery, and gave speeches still remembered today. He's become one of my favorite historical figures, finding a prominent spot in my office right behind my desk. You could say, a daily reminder of leadership grounded in principle, which I find of great...

Estate planning is important for securing your family's future. But in today’s busy world, traditional office visits to an attorney can be impractical for many families and individuals. That is why I have decided to implement a new mobile estate planning service. Beginning in May 2025, Williams Legal Services will...

If you are someone who changes your own oil, or files your own taxes, you may also consider the do it yourself route for your estate planning document. It appears to offer convenience, cost savings, and control. But there is one major difference between estate planning and those other tasks....

When it comes to estate planning, one of the most common questions people ask is whether they need a will or a trust in Missouri? The answer isn't always straightforward, as each option serves different purposes and comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You want to make...

When deciding your estate plan, there are many things you have to think about. Choosing the right plan, executing and organizing the documents, and meeting with your attorney are all part of the job of planning what will happen to your estate. But one thing that is integral to the process...