While our experienced divorce lawyers and divorce attorneys at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. in Jefferson City and Columbia regularly practice in high conflict divorces and have a reputation for aggressive and tenacious representation, our divorce lawyers also recognize that trial and litigation is not necessarily the goal of every client. Our family law and divorce lawyers understand that family law issues are emotional and frustrating often causing stress and worry, not only for the adult parties involved but for the children as well. Our attorneys will assist in facilitating family counseling, mediation, and settlement as alternatives to trial.
Child Support
Divorce is the process of dissolving the marital estate and returning each spouse to their separate legal state. The divorce process involves the division and allocation of marital property and debts, and often times includes determining child custody and child support.
Child Custody and Visitation
Our family law and divorce lawyers at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. regularly practice in high conflict litigation and have a reputation for aggressive and tenacious representation. Our experienced divorce lawyers have been invited to lecture at various speaking engagements sponsored by the Missouri Bar and other community organizations. At Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C., we have the experience you need to vigorously represent you in contested divorce trials involving complex property issues or fighting for child custody.
Adoption
Adoption is the legal process of permanently adding a child or adult to a family so that the person will be known as the child of the adoptive parents as if he or she was naturally born to the adoptive parents. Adoption occurs through any number of ways including private adoption through adoption placement agencies, State adoption, and step-parent adoption.
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
Our attorneys based in Jefferson City, MO provide professional representation for many family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, marital property division, maintenance or spousal support, paternity, temporary hearings, adoption, and termination of parental rights, prenuptial agreements, post-judgment modifications, ex parte orders of adult protection, ex parte order of child protection, restraining orders, contempt and enforcement proceedings.
Guardianship
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. offers a variety of representation for estate planning, elder law and conservator/guardianship matters in Jefferson City and the surrounding Missouri region. Whether you need assistance with large or small estate matters or have a family member or loved one who may need legal advice, our experienced estate planning attorneys can help. The Brydon, Swearengen & England attorneys can also assist in avoiding probate, reviewing previously drafted wills and trusts, and educating clients for better understanding of these plans.
Spousal Support
Divorces are either contested or uncontested. A contested divorce means that the husband and wife disagree about one or more issues. For example, husband and wife may disagree regarding the custody of the children, the amount of child support, a division of retirement benefits, or maintenance (also known as spousal support). Conversely, an uncontested divorce is a process where husband and wife are in complete agreement as to all issues. Generally, an uncontested divorce involves a husband and wife who do not have children, do not own real estate, and have few assets and debts to divide.
Legal Separation
In a proceeding for divorce or legal separation, the court is required to set apart to each spouse such spouse’s nonmarital property and to divide the marital property and marital debts in such proportions as the court deems just after considering all relevant factors.
Being arrested for a violation of a criminal law or criminal offense usually involves a range of emotions, including disbelief, embarrassment, frustration, or even fear.
DUI/DWI
Driving While Intoxicated ( DWI ) or Driving Under the Influence ( DUI ) are terms interchangeably used in Missouri to describe the criminal offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of either alcohol or a controlled substance. While the criminal offenses of driving while intoxicated ( DWI / DUI ) are relatively common, hiring an experienced DUI lawyer is critical. DWI / DUI offenses have long-lasting consequences that can follow a person for the rest of his or her life. Multiple DWI / DUI offenses result in increased punishments including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and possibly prison sentences.
Wrongful Death
Sex Crimes
Private adoption generally occurs where parents are willing to give up their child for adoption or consent to future adoption of the child. A woman who has an unplanned pregnancy may give up the child for adoption under any number of circumstances including, teenage pregnancy, financially instability, pregnancy resulting from sexual assault and other reasons. Only a court may grant an adoption.
Robbery
Burglary
Misdemeanors
Our criminal lawyers and attorneys at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. represent individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies throughout Missouri and offenses in the United States District Courts.
Drug Crimes
For almost twenty years, Scott Hamblin has litigated cases in Circuit Courts and United States District Courts throughout Missouri. Scott regularly practices in the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, paternity, child custody modifications, State and Federal Criminal defense including drug trafficking, drug possession, firearm offenses, sexual crimes, money laundering, driving while intoxicated (DWI/DUI)...
The legal requirements for starting a small business can vary depending on factors such as the type of business entity, location, and industry. It's important to consult with a business law attorney to ensure compliance with regulations related to business formation, licensing, permits, and tax obligations.
Business Disputes
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.’s team of experienced attorneys are dedicated, hard-working and committed to providing superior legal representation in all areas of business law.
Business Transactions
Brydon, Swearengen & England’s attorneys assist clients in determining the most advantageous form of organization, whether partnership, limited liability company, corporation, Subchapter S or otherwise. We can assist in contract negotiation, sales of businesses and joint ventures as well as a variety of other business transactions.
Limited Liability Companies
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. clients are diverse. We assist sole proprietors, limited liability companies, and corporate entities with preparing and filing federal and state liquor license applications.
As an employee, you have certain rights protected by state and federal labor laws. These rights may include protections against discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. If you believe your rights have been violated, it's important to seek legal advice from an employment lawyer.
Employment Contract
Brydon, Swearengen & England attorneys help clients draft, negotiate and review business contracts. We handle contracts for buying and selling businesses, employment agreements (including non-compete and non-disclosure agreements) and property leases. We also assist business clients with corporate compliance issues, such as change of registered agent, reinstatement of a forfeited entity, and dissolution of a business. Additionally, we assist clients in preparing corporate resolutions, buy-sell agreements, and documentation of corporate meetings.
For almost twenty years, Scott Hamblin has litigated cases in Circuit Courts and United States District Courts throughout Missouri. Scott regularly practices in the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, paternity, child custody modifications, State and Federal Criminal defense including drug trafficking, drug possession, firearm offenses, sexual crimes, money laundering, driving while intoxicated ( DWI / DUI ), and manslaughter. As a former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Scott has gained substantial trial experience and insight which benefits his clients. As a result of his knowledge and experience, The Missouri Bar Association has invited Scott to lecture and speak to other lawyers at continuing legal education courses on the topics of criminal law and divorce. Scott also maintains a civil practice utilizing his courtroom skills to represent individuals, businesses and corporations involved in contract disputes, mechanic’s liens, real estate disputes, will contests, personal injury cases, worker’s compensation, probate proceedings, adoptions, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Premises Liability
Individuals and families experience life-changing circumstances when a husband, wife, or child is seriously injured or dies. Personal injury claims are not limited to car accidents but include all types of motor vehicle collisions, claims, premises liability claims, product liability claims, worker’s compensation claims, and wrongful death claims. These types of claims are referred to as personal injury claims because they affect an individual or family personally and in personal ways. Individuals and families may experience financial hardship through loss of income and medical bills. Injured persons are also frequently unable to continue many daily activities of life such as being unable to sleep comfortably, being unable to walk without pain, being unable to sit without pain or discomfort, being unable to dress without assistance, and many other life activities.
Construction Litigation
Brydon, Swearengen & England attorneys are known for the ability to represent clients in a wide range of commercial litigation in federal and state courts. Our substantial experience in many commercial areas encompasses varied categories of litigation, including complex contractual, financial and construction disputes; commercial fraud; creditor’s rights; unfair competition; and business torts.
Eminent Domain
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. attorneys have also had significant involvement with obtaining, modifying and extending the term of municipal franchise agreements and obtaining utility corridor easements by exercise of eminent domain. Attorneys with the firm have also represented utility clients in proceedings before other state agencies in matters concerning sales, use and
Generally, insurance companies become involved once the accident and/or collision is reported. Insurance companies rarely voluntarily offer fair or just compensation. Often times, the only way to obtain fair and just compensation is to file a lawsuit to put the matter before the jury. Personal injury claims must be analyzed from two perspectives: liability and damages. Missouri is a comparative fault state, which requires a careful analysis of a potential party’s liability or fault. However, even a showing of clear liability on the part of another party can fail to result in the recovery of a claim for damages without sufficient proof of injury. Our personal injury lawyers and attorneys investigate and work to prove liability and damages.
Clients will also find estate planning as practical and painless as possible at Brydon, Swearengen & England. The firm’s estate planning lawyers work with clients to clarify their unique circumstances, goals, and requirements and then recommend a course that will enable them to effectively and efficiently plan for the future.
Wills
Advance planning for healthcare and health-related financial matters, including living wills, healthcare directives, durable healthcare powers of attorney and durable financial powers of attorney
Trusts
Brydon, Swearengen & England, P.C. can assist you with probate and trust administration in Jefferson City and the surrounding Missouri region. Brydon, Swearengen & England attorneys have experience assisting clients in probate matters of all sizes and can provide you the expertise you need to resolve your loved one’s estate.
Power of Attorney
To ensure your estate is properly managed after you pass away, it's important to create a comprehensive estate plan, which may include a will, trusts, powers of attorney and perhaps various forms of non-probate transfers. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney can help ensure your wishes are carried out and your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C.’s attorneys represent individuals, as well as local, regional, and national entities, in sales and use tax litigation involving the Missouri Department of Revenue. Our firm’s services include representing clients in all stages of sales and use tax litigation from appearing before the Administrative Hearing Commission to arguing before the Missouri Supreme Court. Our attorneys’ knowledge and experience can assist your business in resolving and litigating all sales and use tax matters.