Grandparent Visitation
Published in Family Law on June 5, 2017
Many grandparents want to know what legal rights that they have to see their grandchildren. In many families, these questions come up in a divorce, the separation of unmarried couple or the death of one of the parents of the grandchild. Missouri law does provide some protection for a grandparent in these situations. Missouri provides for four instances when a… READ MORE
5 Tips for Preparing For Your First Estate Planning Appointment
Published in Estate Planning on February 7, 2017
1) Come with questions. Most clients haven’t been through situations to become familiar with estate planning concepts. Don’t be ashamed that you don’t understand what a trust is, how it works, who is in charge, etc. Many people believe a will is sufficient to avoid probate, which is not the case — a will merely directs the probate process. A… READ MORE
Child Support for Special Needs Children
Published in Family Law on January 20, 2017
Child support for special needs children can extend beyond the age of 21. Under Missouri law there are three requirements that must be established in order for a special needs child to be entitled to support past the age of 21. First, the child must be physically or mentally incapacitated from supporting himself or herself. Second, the child must be… READ MORE
Most Dangerous Intersections in Missouri [New Study]
Published in Personal Injury on January 16, 2017
As part of our commitment to safety in our community, the team of Springfield car accident attorneys at Douglas Haun Heideman wanted to identify the most dangerous intersections in the state of Missouri. With the help of data visualization agency 1point21 Interactive, we analyzed over 148,000 collision records from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to find the 200 most dangerous intersections… READ MORE
Are The Wishes of Children Considered In A Custody Case?
Published in Family Law on December 16, 2016
Parents involved in a contested custody case frequently ask what age a child must be before the child can decide where he or she wants to live. The answer to this question is that a child cannot make that decision. When a child becomes an adult at age 18, then he or she can make their own decision about where… READ MORE
Tenancy by the Entirety: Extra Creditor Protection for Married Couples
Published in Commercial Law on December 2, 2016
It is not common for anyone to incur a debt that they cannot pay on purpose. All it takes is a little bad luck, and debts can begin to pile up fast. When you find yourself subjected to creditors and collections, are there any additional creditor protections available for married couples? In Missouri, the answer is “yes,” but only for… READ MORE
Navigating Auto Insurance Following an Accident
Published in Personal Injury on November 18, 2016
The complicated nature of automobile insurance can lead to confusion after a person is involved in a car accident. Rather than focusing on getting well after suffering injuries, many collision victims find themselves sucked into a “red-tape” nightmare to ensure that the insurance companies have the right information to process claims. For more information about your specific case, contact an experienced… READ MORE
Why Everyone Needs to do Estate Planning
Published in Estate Planning on November 7, 2016
No matter who you are, what assets you own, and who you want to be the beneficiaries of your estate, you need to do some estate planning. Some people don’t need much help to accomplish their objectives, while others need a lot of assistance in accomplishing theirs. The methods that are best for you will vary depending upon who you… READ MORE
Sole v. Joint Legal Custody
Published in Family Law on October 28, 2016
Custody has two parts: physical custody and legal custody. The term “physical custody” is the party of custody that parents most easily understand. Physical custody is concerned with the period of time which the child resides with or is under the care or supervision of a parent. The term “legal custody” is concerned with who has the decision-making rights, responsibilities… READ MORE
What Are Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Case?
Published in Personal Injury on October 21, 2016
Normally in the State of Missouri, when you are injured by someone the amount that you can recover is limited to the amount that you were hurt. To make it overly simple, if you were in a car accident that was not your fault and broke your leg, the damages would generally be limited to your “out-of-pocket” losses: the medical… READ MORE