Hamblin Attends 12th Annual Family Law Conference

Scott Hamblin, a shareholder with the law office of Brydon Swearengen & England P.C. recently attended the 12th Annual Family Law Conference sponsored by the Missouri Bar. Topics of discussion included, but were not limited to, the following: discussion regarding child support calculations and deviating from presumed child support calculations, addressing allegations of domestic violence


Criminal Law: Expungement of Certain Criminal Records

We frequently receive calls from people seeking to expunge past criminal convictions.  The good news is that Missouri has greatly increased the number of people who can apply for expungement and decreased the time they must wait before they can have their crimes expunged. Effective January 1, 2018, 610.140, RSMo. allows for the expungement of many


Missouri Supreme Court FInds Damage Cap Unconstitutional

On Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in a 4-3 decision, the Missouri Supreme Court found the State’s $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases to be unconstitutional.  In doing so, the Court stated that “[t]he individual right to trial by jury cannot ‘remain inviolate’ when an injured party is deprived of the jury’s constitutionally assigned


Client Acquitted of Charges for Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Suspended, and Possession of Marijuana

Law enforcement officers sometimes arrest people without sufficient evidence to support the ultimate criminal charges. Earlier this week, I represented a client at trial for the offenses of driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended driver’s license and possession of marijuana.  The Judge found a lack of evidence to support the charges.  The Judge dismissed the charge for


The Untitled Blawg Entry

It is time for a Blawg post – for no other reason than we haven’t had one for quite some time.  The following thoughts are as unfocused as the above title and this stated purpose. – My take on the Penn State/Joe Paterno/Sandusky situation – Loyalty is a character trait that is highly valued.  It can


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Cooper Presents at CLE

Dean Cooper, a Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. shareholder, recently made a presentation entitled “A Primer on Trusts” at the MoBarCLE Missouri Firearms Law 2012 continuing legal education course.  The presentation was related to additional consideration of National Firearms Act Trusts. Dean Cooper has a general administrative and civil practice with emphasis on public utility law. He


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David V.G. Brydon (1937 – 2012)

It is with great sadness that we share with you that David Brydon passed away Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, Mo. Mr. Brydon recieved his license to practice law in 1963 and immediately began the practice of law in Jefferson City with Thomas Graham and Robert L. Hawkins Jr.  David practiced his


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Wiseman Assists with Start Up Jeff City

Erin Wiseman recently provided general legal advice at a StartUp Jeff City event. StartUp Jeff City is an organization for people with ideas to gather and get advice from professionals about starting a business.  In general, each entrepreneur spent 10 minutes with the various assisting professionals to receive general guidance about issues to consider.  Erin provided information about the


CHANGES IN THE FORM 14 CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATION

The Supreme Court of Missouri entered its Order on December 7, 2011 changing, in part,  how child support is calculated. The change pertains to the amount of credit a court may award a parent in connection with exercising overnight child custody or visitation.  The Order provides that a parent may receive up to a maximum


Federal Estate Tax and Gift Tax Exclusions

The amount exempt from the federal estate tax will grow to $5,120,000 for 2012, while the annual gift tax exclusion will remain at $13,000 for the same year.  Unless Congress acts, the federal estate tax exemption will fall to $1,000,000 in 2013.