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...
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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...
Missouri Court Affirms Sexual Abuse Conviction: What “Forcible Compulsion” Really Means Under Missouri Law
A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, provides an important and sobering example of how courts analyze claims involving sexual abuse and the legal concept known as “forcible compulsion.”
When Family Property Disputes End Up in Court: What Bringer v. Bringer Teaches Missouri Families
Family property disputes can be emotionally charged and require a sound, logical approach grounded in the applicable law to resolve favorably.
Why Every Adult Needs a Basic Estate Plan: POAs, Wills, and Smart Non-Probate Planning
Every adult benefits from a basic estate plan, regardless of income or net worth. Estate planning is not just about what happens when you pass away—it is also about protecting yourself while you are alive and ensuring that trusted people can step in if something unexpected happens.
Understanding Guardianship and Conservatorship in Missouri: What Families Need to Know
When a loved one can no longer safely manage their personal care or finances, families often find themselves facing difficult and unfamiliar legal terrain. In Missouri, the legal tools designed to protect vulnerable individuals are guardianships and conservatorships. While these proceedings are common in probate court, they are highly technical and require strict compliance with statutory requirements. Understanding the basics can help families prepare and avoid costly delays.
Missouri Livestock Liability After a Highway Collision: What Brothers v. Becker Means for Drivers and Landowners
Accidents involving loose livestock on rural Missouri roadways raise difficult legal questions. Who is responsible when cattle escape a pasture and cause a serious crash? A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals provides important guidance for both injured motorists and livestock owne...
State v. Rivers: Missouri Court Upholds Felon-in-Possession Conviction Based on Actual Possession
In State v. Rivers, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed a felon-in-possession conviction, holding that accessibility, visibility, and flight supported a finding of knowing, actual possession.
Brown v. State Farm: Missouri Court Enforces UM Stacking Limits and ‘Your Car’ Exclusion
In Brown v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment for the insurer, enforcing a UM coverage exclusion that limited stacking to statutory minimums for vehicles not involved in the accident.
Koenig v. State of Missouri: Missouri Court Reaffirms High Bar for Rule 24.035 Plea Challenges
In Koenig v. State of Missouri, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief under Rule 24.035, reinforcing the substantial deference appellate courts give to motion-court credibility findings and plea-hearing records.