A new Missouri appellate decision explains when long-term use of another person’s property may support a prescriptive easement—even if the user believed the route was public.
Blog
Necessity of Properly Funding a Missouri Trust
Creating a revocable living trust can be an important step in an estate plan. But signing the trust agreement is only the beginning. For the trust to control an asset, the asset generally must be connected to the trust through proper ownership, assignment, or beneficiary-designation documents. That process is commonly called “funding” the trust. An unfunded or partially funded trust may be an empty container: it has instructions about incapacity, management, and distribution but does not govern assets never transferred to it. Proper funding can prevent avoidable probate, delay, expense, and uncertainty.
Transferring Commercial Property from a Family Trust After the Death of a Parent: How Careful Planning Can Prevent Family Disputes
When a parent or grandparent has owned income-producing commercial real estate for many years, that property often becomes one of the most valuable—and most emotionally significant—assets in the family estate. It is common for successful business owners to place commercial property into a revoca...
Missouri Court of Appeals Affirms Conviction for Violating an Order of Protection: What Defendants Should Know About Testifying at Trial
If you have been charged with violating an order of protection, resisting arrest, or another criminal offense in Missouri, one of the most important strategic decisions in your case is whether you should testify in your own defense. A recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision serves as an importa...
Missouri Sex Offender Registry Removal Lawyer
Learn who qualifies for Missouri sex offender registry removal, waiting periods, court procedures, and how to petition for relief.
Missouri Mental Health Holds, 96-Hour Detentions, 21-Day Commitments, and Guardianship: A Guide for Families Facing a Mental Health Crisis
When a Loved One Is in Crisis: Understanding Missouri's Mental Health Commitment Laws Few situations are more stressful for a family than watching a loved one suffer from severe mental illness, psychosis, delusions, mania, suicidal thoughts, or behavior that places themselves or others at risk o...
Missouri Written Contracts: Is Your Lawsuit Subject to a Five-Year or Ten-Year Statute of Limitations?
A recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision provides an important reminder for businesses, contractors, service providers, and property owners seeking to collect unpaid debts. In NW MO Tow & Recovery, Inc. v. Gillis, the court addressed a common question that arises in contract disputes: how long...
Missouri Involuntary Manslaughter: Can You Be Convicted Even If You Didn't Pull the Trigger?
The Missouri Court of Appeals recently issued a decision that serves as an important reminder of how broadly Missouri law can define criminal responsibility in homicide cases. In State v. Curry, the court upheld a conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the second degree, even though the defen...
Missouri Court of Appeals Expands Scope of Expungement Relief for Reduced DWI Charges
The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District recently issued an important decision clarifying the scope of Missouri's expungement laws. In a case involving a driver whose original DWI arrest was reduced to careless and imprudent driving through a negotiated plea agreement, the Court hel...
Missouri No-Contest Clauses in Trust Litigation: What Beneficiaries Need to Know After the Kolb Decision
Families are often shocked to learn that challenging a trust in Missouri can come with a very serious consequence: complete forfeiture of an inheritance. A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District highlights just how strictly Missouri courts may enforce “no-contest” clauses in trust documents.
Missouri Probate Disputes: What In re Estate of Hughes Teaches About Missing Assets and Family Agreements
When a loved one passes away, disputes over “missing” assets are more common than many people expect. The recent case of Estate of Sue Ann Hughes (WD87892, Apr. 21, 2026), provides guidance on how courts evaluate these claims.
Spousal Abandonment in Missouri Probate: When a Surviving Spouse Loses Inheritance Rights
Most people assume a surviving spouse will automatically inherit from their deceased partner. That assumption is often correct—but not always. One of the most important and frequently misunderstood exceptions is spousal abandonment under Missouri law.
Missouri Court Limits Post-Conviction DNA Testing: What State v. Bolden Means for Your Case
If you or a loved one is considering post-conviction relief in Missouri, a recent appellate decision highlights just how difficult it can be to obtain DNA testing after a conviction. In State v. Bolden, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District made clear that courts will strictly e...
Refusal of Letters Statute - Decedent Estate Procedure
When a loved one passes away, families are often concerned about the time, cost, and complexity of probate. In Missouri, there are several procedures designed to simplify estate administration when the circumstances allow. One of the most underutilized—but highly effectiv...
Missouri Adverse Possession Case Shows How Landowners Can Lose Property Rights Without a Deed
Boundary disputes between neighbors often start with something small: a fence, a trail, brush clearing, or years of using land no one realized was disputed. But under Missouri law, those seemingly minor facts can become very serious. In a recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision, Bourbon v. Bens...
Missouri Court Upholds Lifetime Order of Protection in Stalking Case
Protective orders can play a critical role in protecting individuals from harassment, stalking, and threats of violence. A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals highlights how courts evaluate requests to renew protective orders—and under what circumstances those orders may be extende...
Missouri Court of Appeals Affirms Conviction Despite Lack of Formal In-Court Identification
In a recent decision, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District affirmed a Wayne County conviction for first-degree sodomy involving a minor in State of Missouri v. Jeffrey Lee Waller. The case highlights how Missouri courts evaluate evidence in sexual offense cases involving minor...
Missouri Court of Appeals Affirms First-Degree Murder Conviction: What State v. Williamson Means for Criminal Appeals
When someone is convicted of a serious felony in Missouri—especially first-degree murder—the appeal process is often the final opportunity to challenge the conviction or sentence. In State v. Williamson, decided January 27, 2026, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District affirmed con...
Missouri Court of Appeals Affirms Denial of Post-Conviction Relief in Rule 29.15 Case
On February 10, 2026, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, issued its opinion in State of Missouri v. Derrie S. Williams, No. ED113255, affirming the denial of post-conviction relief under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 29.15. For individuals and families navigating serious felony convic...
Missouri Court of Appeals Clarifies When a Full Order of Protection Is Legally Proper
Orders of Protection are powerful legal tools. They can remove someone from their home, bar contact with children, restrict employment opportunities, and carry serious criminal consequences if violated. Because of that impact, Missouri law requires courts to carefully apply the statute—and recent...
Missouri Criminal Appeals: Why Alibi Defenses Must Be Disclosed Early
When someone is accused of a serious crime, one of the most powerful defenses is an alibi—proof that the accused was somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred. But a recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision shows that how and when an alibi is disclosed can make or break a defense. In Sta...
Missouri Appeals Court Clarifies Property and Trust Disputes in Norris v. Lamm
When family property, trusts, and inheritance collide, disputes can escalate quickly—and mistakes by trial courts can dramatically alter outcomes. In Norris v. Lamm, the Missouri Court of Appeals sent an important message: courts must follow strict procedural rules before dismissing claims, espec...
What Happens If a Will Is Filed Late in Missouri Probate Court?
When a loved one passes away, families often assume that if a valid will exists, it will eventually control how the estate is distributed. Unfortunately, Missouri law does not work that way. A recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision serves as a clear warning: even a properly signed will can bec...
Missouri Appeals Court Clarifies Limits on Drug Paraphernalia Convictions After Traffic Stops
Traffic stops are one of the most common ways criminal cases begin in Missouri. What starts as a minor violation—speeding, a broken taillight, or expired tags—can quickly escalate into a drug investigation, an arrest, and serious criminal charges. A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appe...
Missouri Court Affirms Guardianship and Conservatorship Orders Despite Due Process Challenges
Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings are often emotionally charged, especially when family members disagree about what is best for an aging parent. A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, highlights how strictly Missouri courts apply procedural rules in th...