Dying Without a Will in Missouri and Arkansas: What Happens Under Intestate Succession Laws
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W.…
Safeguard Your Wealth with an Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
The thought of escalating long-term care costs disturbs the peace of mind of many Missouri…
Free Online Alzheimer’s Tests – What you need to know in 2025
Memory loss and thinking impairments can significantly impact daily life, raising concerns about early-stage dementia,…
Important Update: BOI Reporting Requirements Reinstated – What You Need to Know
The landscape for corporate compliance has shifted significantly with recent developments regarding the Corporate Transparency…
Estate Planning Documents That You Need to Know in 2025
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy; it's for everyone, including those in Missouri and…
Secure Your Future – A Guide to Trust and Estate Planning
Estate planning is more than just preparing a will; it's about securing your legacy and…
What is Estate Planning? A Complete Guide
Estate planning is the process of managing and transferring your assets, including real estate, bank…
Why Smart Families Invest in Trust and Estate Planning
Estate planning is an important process that involves creating a comprehensive legal plan for the…
Hiring a Family Trust Attorney As A Strategic Shield for Your Family’s Future
Are you concerned about protecting your family's assets and ensuring a smooth transition of wealth?…
How to Create a Living Trust
Creating a revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can offer numerous…
How to Revoke a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants another person, known as…
Annuity Estate Planning for Arkansas and Missouri Residents
Annuity estate planning offers a strategic approach to wealth management, combining the benefits of guaranteed…
How To Set Up a Special Needs Trust
Creating a secure future for persons with disabilities is a significant responsibility. A Special Needs…
Estate Planning for Wealthy Families
Estate planning isn't just about protecting your wealth; it's about ensuring your legacy. For high-net-worth…
Protect Your Wealth With Advanced Estate Planning
Advanced estate planning is a vital aspect of financial security. With the complexities of federal…
Ultimate Checklist for Settling an Estate in 2025
Losing a loved one is a difficult time, and the process of settling their estate…
Why You Need an International Estate Planning Attorney in 2025
International estate planning can be daunting, especially for those with assets and family members spread…
Avoid These 7 Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Estate planning isn't just about preparing for the inevitable; it's about ensuring your loved ones…
Safeguard Your Family Business: Estate Planning for Business Owners
Building a family business is a testament to hard work, vision, and dedication. However, ensuring…
The 2024 Essential Guide to Estate Planning for Millennials
Life for millennials is full of exciting possibilities – building careers, starting families, and exploring…
Essential Wealth Protection Strategies for 2024
Have you worked hard to build your personal wealth? Whether it's through a successful career,…
A Guide to Estate Planning Appraisals in Missouri & Arkansas
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to your loved ones…
Advanced Estate Planning Techniques for Missouri & Arkansas in 2024
Estate planning is a crucial step for everyone, but for residents of Missouri and Arkansas…
Essential S Corp Estate Planning Strategies for Seamless Wealth Preservation in 2024
Owning a successful S corporation in Missouri or Arkansas brings great rewards. However, ensuring your…
Estate Planning for Irresponsible Children: Safeguarding Strategies for Your Inheritance
Estate planning is a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are carried out after you're…
A Guide to Estate Planning for Blended Families in Missouri & Arkansas
Blended families are a beautiful reality for many couples, weaving together the love and joy…
Estate Planning for Doctors to Build a Secure Future
Doctors dedicate their lives to caring for others, but ensuring their own legacy and the…
Navigating Tax Implications in International Estate Planning
Understanding tax implications in international estate planning is crucial to minimize tax liabilities, guarantee legal…
A Step-By-Step Guide to Working With Asset Protection Attorneys
To effectively collaborate with asset protection attorneys, start by evaluating your financial vulnerabilities and long-term…
High Net Worth Estate Planning in Complex Tax Environments – 2024
As a high net worth individual, you'll benefit from tailored estate planning to safeguard your…
Understanding What Is Elder Law and Who It Affects
Elder law is designed to safeguard your interests or those of your aging loved ones.…
10 Crucial Questions to Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney
Before selecting an estate planning attorney, inquire about their expertise in wills, trusts, estate taxes,…
Why Would You Need a Probate Attorney?
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the aftermath can feel overwhelming, especially when…
2024 Essential Guide to a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust
Protect your assets with a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust (LAPT). This trust guards your wealth…
How much do elder law attorneys charge?
Navigating complex legal issues is increasingly common as we age. It's not fun or cheap…
How an Asset Protection Attorney Will Empower Your Financial Security
Financial security is paramount, and safeguarding your assets is an essential step towards achieving peace…
Estate Planning Questionnaire: The Best Way to Attack Lazy Planning
Estate planning involves determining what will happen to your assets and personal property when you…
Navigating the Trust Creation Process: Can You Do It Without an Attorney?
Estate planning is essential to determine how your assets – including real estate, bank accounts,…
Elder Law Estate Planning: Must-Know Steps for Peace of Mind
As we age, planning for the management and distribution of our assets becomes increasingly important.…
Essential Guide to Powers of Attorney for College-Bound Children
With the new school year approaching and your child heading off to college, you've likely…
Estate Planning with an Unmarried Partner
If you’re living with a romantic partner, you might just assume that the law will…
Your Medicaid Enrollment May Change.
Are you or someone you know currently enrolled in Medicaid? Millions of Americans could soon…
Don’t Let Tax Planning Ruin Your Estate
When it comes to estate planning—and securing your family’s future—there are many things to keep…
Planning Your Estate, Your Retirement, and How to Keep It
As you near retirement, planning your estate becomes more important than ever. If you haven’t…
Trust Beneficiary and Taxes
If you’re a trust beneficiary, you stand to receive significant income and assets when it’s…
New Laws May Affect Your Retirement
On December 29, 2022, a new spending bill went into effect in the United States.…
5 Ways Estate Planning Creates a Smooth Transition
You’ve spent your whole lifetime working hard and building up a diverse portfolio of assets.…
Probate: What You Need to Know
Probate is the process by which a will is legally recognized, and an executor is…
Long-Term Care: Preparing for the Unexpected
As people approach their later years, they may be concerned about the potential for expensive…
The Importance of Primary Beneficiaries: Pending Divorce and Passing of a Spouse
The reason you work with an experienced estate planning attorney when organizing your estate is…
Asset Protection: Different Types and What you Need to Know
Everyone needs asset protection. It’s why we use bank accounts, purchase insurance, and, of course,…
Estate Planning Strategies: Never too Early or too Late.
There is a misconception that an estate planning strategy is something the wealthy do later…
The Holidays are Here—It’s a Good Time to Talk Estate Planning
With the holidays right around the corner, you’ve got a lot on your to-do list,…
Planning for the Future: Teaching Your Children Financial Responsibility
Managing money responsibly is not something that people instinctively know—they have to learn it. As…
Qualifying For Medicaid: Reducing Available Assets
If you or your spouse finds yourself in sudden need of an extended stay at…
Life Insurance and Medicaid Planning: What You Need to Know
If you or a loved one are faced with a nursing home stay or another…
Understanding Medicaid: From Nursing Homes to Community Based Services
In the state of Missouri, Medicaid offers several useful programs that can help residents qualify…
Understanding Medicaid: How to Maintain Medicaid Benefits After the Loss of a Spouse
If you are receiving Medicaid benefits and your spouse passes away, you may find yourself…
The Importance of Asset Alignment
The Importance of Asset Alignment Establishing a trust is a great first step toward planning…
Don’t Fall for a Trust Mill, Find a Trustworthy Estate Planning Attorney
People are trustworthy, and the world is full of good, yet that doesn’t mean evil…
What Stays Private (and What Doesn’t!) with Estate Planning
This modern, data-driven world offers little in the way of privacy, and yet most folks…
Bringing Intentionality to Planning for The Future
Your estate plan is finished. You’ve dotted your I’s, crossed your T’s, and you’re feeling…
Stay on Top of Financial Knowledge & Wealth Security
An estate plan is a set of powerful tools that protect your wealth and furnish…
Managing Financial Security After Losing a Loved One
Did you know that millennials collectively only own about 5% of the country’s overall wealth?…
From College to Career, What Every 18-Year-Old Needs
The golden rule of estate planning is that after any major life event, your estate…
Understanding Medicaid: Who Does the New Medicaid Expansion Impact?
Both Missouri and Arkansas have accepted federal Medicaid expansion which means that in 2022, an…
When It Comes to a Prenup, Who Needs What, When?
If your 22-year child is about to get married, what’s the first thing that comes…
A Pour-Over What? Explaining a Pour-Over Will & How It Works with Your Estate Plan
When most folks think of pour-over, it’s not estate planning but trendy coffee shops and…
Estate Planning: Creating Comfort, Safety, and Security for All
At the Law Firm of Christopher W. Dumm, we specialize in estate planning and elder…
With So Many Different Trusts, It May Be Hard to Know Which One Is Right for Your Family
The legal entities we know as trusts have been around since the Crusades were active…
Keeping Up with Digital Assets: Cryptocurrency Prices’ Impact on Estate Planning
Cryptocurrency prices tanked this month and this time it’s not just fringe investors that lost…
What is the Future of Social Security Benefits if Inflation Continues at this Rate?
Inflation has been making headlines on a nearly daily basis for months and for good…
The New RMD Rule: What We Expected vs. What It Is
Life is full of surprises. Sometimes this is good, sometimes it's not. When surprises come…
When It Comes To Protecting Your Family, Don’t Forget About Your Pets!
When planning for the future, protecting your family should always be a top priority, and…
Financial Advice: How to Ensure Last Wishes Are Followed When It Comes to Heirs and Charity
An estate plan is the only way to secure your life’s work and legacy after…
Why Today is Better than Next Week: How to Mitigate Risk Amid a Crisis
If years were given themes, 2022 would be the year of how to mitigate risk.…
What to Know About the Recent IRS Notice Fiasco
As if tax season were not already bad enough, this year the stress has been…
Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in The Dark: Creating a Plan for Your Loved Ones & Trustees
On December 9, 2021, Gerald Cotten, CEO of QuadrigaCX, died unexpectedly at the age of…
When Trash Turns to Treasure: How a Simple Will or Trust Helps in Tricky Legal Matters
Henry Darger died with no will, no durable power of attorney, and no revocable trust.…
How Digital Assets Are Playing a Larger Role in Wealth & How to Protect That Income Stream
Digital assets are increasingly an important part of a person’s wealth portfolio. Present-day digital technology…
Say, “I Love You” Responsibly Through Tax Gifting and Estate Planning
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner which means people all across the globe are…
When Sticky Notes Lead to Tragedy & Greed: How to Protect Your Legacy
If you haven’t heard of Tony Hsieh, you have likely heard of his business ventures.…
How to Find the Best Person for the Job
The modern, digital world is a fickle thing. The rise of online shopping has created…
How to Plan for a Better Year in 2022
After the rollercoaster that was 2020 most of us expected 2021 to offer a softer…
An Unconventional New Year’s Resolution and We Aren’t Talking About Exercise!
Oh, New Year’s resolutions… those pesky promises you make thinking they will improve well-being only…
A Dumm Family Story About the Importance of Powers of Attorney
When you grow up with an estate planning attorney for a father, you don’t just…
National Cybersecurity Month May Be Over but the Risk to Your Family Remains
October was National Cybersecurity Month and while the days of Fall may feel far behind…
Estate Planning and Financial Planning: How One Enhances the Other
Certified financial planners (CFPs) and Estate Planning Attorneys are two complementary professions that work together…
Escheatment: What It is, and How to Plan for it Through a Secure Estate Plan
Escheat, pronounced \ is-ˈchēt , ish-ˈchēt\, refers to a government’s right to take ownership of…
What to Consider When Creating an Estate Plan Without Heirs
An estate plan is a lot of things. It is a financial plan that helps…
Creating a Secure Estate Plan: What to Do After Establishing a Trust
If you are in the process of building your estate plan you have probably heard…
Adoption & Estate Planning: Important Facts to Know
A number of important life events prompt the need for an estate plan update and…
Understanding Resources: A New Resource and Benefits Portal for Missouri Veterans
The best part of being an estate planning attorney is helping folks in our community…
How to Stay Motivated and Inspired to Achieve Your Business Goals
Thomas Edison’s famously stated that “genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” This…
Don’t Let Procrastination Lead to Family Heartache
It is hard to believe that summer is already drawing to a close and harder…
Protect Your Home Against Exorbitant Nursing Home Costs
Elder law attorneys are often presented with heartbreaking questions and one of the most common…
The Fab Four: 4 Fabulous Ways to Eliminate Capital Gains That You Haven’t Thought About
After decades of careful investing and strategically building your wealth, being hit with capital gains…
Why It’s Important to Plan for, and Not Avoid Probate
Probate is the legal term that is used to describe the court process that takes…
Top 10 Most Important Things to Know About Medicaid
Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the United States and provides…
The Estate Planning Mistakes That Will Cost Your Heirs Money in The Long Run (part 2 of 2)
In the first installment of this two-part series, we talked about how, in addition to…
The Estate Planning Mistakes That Will Cost Your Heirs Money in The Long Run (part 1 of 2)
People design estate plans for many different reasons. An estate plan protects your physical and…
Top 3 Tips to Avoid Family Fights and Create Harmony When Establishing an Estate Plan
Every adult and, by extension, every family needs an estate plan. Not only is attending…
Knowing Your Purpose and How to Turn That into Company Success
In a world where technological advancements claim to revolutionize the business landscape every few years,…
New Veterans’ Benefit Updates Pertaining to Vietnam War Veterans
Earlier this year we wrote about the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395)…
Cryptocurrency: What It Is, If You Should Own It, And How To Incorporate It In Your Estate
Even those who pay only passive attention to financial news cannot help but have heard…
What Is The Senate Bill 994 And How May It Impact Your Estate?
Colloquially referred to as the “For the 99.5% Act,” Senate Bill 994 (S.994) is a…
The Importance Of Keeping Your Estate Plan Up To Date
The mere fact of having an estate plan sets you apart from a majority of…
How to Access a Loved One’s Digital Accounts on Apple Devices After Their Passing
As it has become more and more common to store personal information online, it has…
The Five Different Types of Powers of Attorney and What You Need to Know About Each
A full 47 percent of men and 58 percent of women will need some form…
Estate Planning: What to Focus on During Each Decade of Your Life
Among the many other things, the past twelve months have taught us that every adult,…
Decided to Start Your Estate Plan? Here Are the Key Questions You Need to Ask
For many, tax season means renewing your annual promise to finally get your estate plan…
What Has Happened to Decorum? Depositions While Driving and Drinking on the Job
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we do a lot of things and one, apparently,…
The Top Veterans’ Benefits Myths Debunked
With all of the information out there concerning Veterans’ Benefits, it can be difficult to…
A FREE, Remote Learning Experience: Caring and Planning for the Elderly
This past year has taught us all the importance of learning to care for the…
Veterans’ Benefits: New Illnesses Added to Veterans’ Benefits for the First Time in Years
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) went into effect on…
Why It’s Important to Find an Estate Planning Lawyer That is Flexible to Change
Estate planning is not a one-and-done kind of process. Just as your life continues to…
With New Administration Comes New Tax Laws: What Do These Changes Mean for Your Estate Taxes?
General wisdom states that a person should revise their estate plan every three to five…
What is Elder Law and What Adjustments Do I Need to Make to My Estate Plan as I Age?
Elder law is the legal field dedicated to working out how families can affordably get…
What Do I Need to Consider When It Comes to A Special Needs Trust?
If you are the parent or guardian of a person with special needs or such…
Preparing for Tax Time: What Documents to Keep and What to Toss
The worst year that many of us can remember is finally over and yet 2020…
The Importance of a Family Business Succession Plan
Over the holidays I found myself reading the charming history of Marchesi Antonori, an Italian…
Seven Steps to Building a Successful Succession Plan
If there’s one thing every single estate planning attorney would like for the holidays it…
Probate Avoidance is not Estate Planning, it is Just Avoiding Probate
Many of you may have heard that you should try to avoid probate but have…
Getting Care in Your Golden Years: Options That Work with Your Budget and Needs
Far too many people out there are wearing too many hats. They are sons and…
How to Build a Family Business Succession Plan Without Ruining Thanksgiving
Come Thanksgiving, family business owners have an extra item on their plate, namely whether this…
The heartbreaking truth of the pandemic for those living in nursing home facilities
The coronavirus pandemic is like nothing else that we have experienced in our lifetime and…
Staying Positive: How to Keep a Smile on the Faces of Loved Ones in Long-Term Nursing Care Facilities
As we head further down the path of fall, the weather is starting to change,…
Deciding on the Best Documents for YOUR Estate Plan
Has the Covid-19 pandemic got you considering an estate plan? If so you might be…
Skip the Pre-Signing Review: The “Why” and What We Suggest Instead
If you’ve ever dug through our website, you will hopefully have noticed that most of…
Myths and Misunderstandings of Medicaid
Anticipating health setbacks is an essential part of preparing for retirement and advancing age. Even…
Family Affairs: Ensuring Fairness and Equality in the Family Business
A family business is a real stumbling block for many folks looking to prepare a…
Estate Planning is Like Buying a Car
When choosing a new car, most folks think first about how it will suit their…
What is The SECURE Act and What Does it Mean for Your Estate Plan?
There are three circumstances that necessitate an update to your estate plan. These are changes…
The Benefits of Working with The Law Firm of Christopher W. Dumm
American Clergyman John Maxwell is best known for coining the phrase, “teamwork makes the dream…
A Trust is Only as Good as Its Contents: Avoiding Probate Through Strategic Planning
A revocable living trust serves a range of purposes in the estate planning process…
Did You Miss Our Last “Built to Last” Event?
If you read that and thought, “Wait, your last event? Hasn’t the pandemic cancelled everything…
Estate Planning for College Students: 3 Legal Tools That All Students Need
Never has heading off (or returning) to college come loaded with so much uncertainty. This…
Top 5 Tips: Estate Planning During a Pandemic
Most often, folks get around to organizing their estate when the fact of their mortality…
Long-Term Care: Protecting Yourself from Unplanned Expenses
Folks looking ahead to their twilight years often worry about losing their life’s work to…
Don’t Procrastinate on Setting up an Estate Plan: The Top 5 Reasons to Get Started Today
In these uncertain times, it may feel harder than ever to plan for the future.…
Did You Miss Our Most Recent “Built to Last” Workshop?
Ever since announcing our “opening” we haven’t been able to keep up with all the…
Think You Don’t Need an Estate Plan? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions First…
The word “estate” sounds much more aristocratic than it is. If you’re envisioning mansions and…
The Little Red Wagon
When you were a child, you toted your prized possessions around with you wherever you…
Life Stages and Estate Planning
When should you consider visiting with an estate planning attorney? When you reach the age…
Understanding the Components of Estate Planning
Most people believe that having a proper estate plan in place is important to ensure…
Do you need an estate plan?
How the SECURE Act affects your retirement accounts.
How the SECURE Act affects your clients and planning strategies to help.
Could the new Tax Act impact your estate?
4000 S. Range Line Road Joplin, MO 64804 417.623.2062 | Email Us ProtectingWealth.com STAY CONNECTED …
3 Essentials For All Families
Dear Friend, Is it just me, or do you have clients that talk themselves out…
New Looming Tax Law Change Will Increase Estate Taxes!
Dear Friend, The IRS recently proposed regulations that will effectively eliminate several commonly used valuation…
Estate Taxes: Are They Getting Ready To Go Up?
Dear Friend, I'm writing to you today to share an article I recently…
Inherited IRAs Are No Longer Safe
Inherited IRAs are No Longer Safe From Creditors A couple of years ago the Supreme…
Living in a Digital World
We Live In a Digital World Digital Security Protects Clients The year 2016 finds us…
Knowledge is Power
Knowledge is Power Dear Friend, Happy New Year to you and yours! It is my…
Working with Families on Estate Planning
Working with Families on Estate Planning Dear Friend, Our firm has worked with hundreds of…
Your Estate IS Worth Protecting
Dear Friend, Many of us are hesitant to think about estate planning because we think…