When a child is born to people who are not married to each other, a Paternity suit is required to establish the Father/Child Relationship. A Paternity suit is also called a Petition to Determine Father/Child Relationship. This type of suit establishes the father of the child in the eyes of the law. A Paternity suit will also establish the parenting plan-or how legal and physical custody are apportioned-and how much child support is to be paid and by whom. Having a father listed on the birth certificate is not enough to establish the legal rights and obligations of a Father; while it creates the presumption of parentage, a Paternity suit is what legally establishes the father/child relationship.
Child Custody and Visitation
It is not uncommon that your circumstances change after a divorce is entered. For example, changes in the finances of either party can result in the raising or lowering of a child support obligation. It is also inevitable that the circumstances of children change as they get older. These changes could mean that a change in the custody schedule would better suit the family. Regardless of the change in circumstance, contact The Lowry Law Firm’s family law lawyers to discuss any potential modification to your divorce or child custody judgment.
Adoption
Paternity
When evaluating whether to file a Paternity suit, it is important to contact a family law lawyer familiar with Paternity actions. The lawyer needs to know all the parental rights and responsibilities at stake, such as child custody rights and child support. It is also helpful for the family law attorney to know how local judges treat these issues in family law cases. The Lowry Law Firm’s family law attorneys frequently handle Paternity cases involving parental rights and child custody, and if you are in a situation where you have questions about parental rights, child custody, or child support, contact them immediately.
Premarital Agreement
Maybe you are about to get married and have questions about prenuptial agreements or post-marital agreements. We can help you decide what should be considered when drafting those agreements and keep the peace between you and your loved ones while doing so.
Guardianship
Guardianship of a child is appropriate when the child’s parents are unwilling or unable to make decisions regarding the care of the child. It is also common to obtain a guardianship for the child of a deployed member of the military. Obtaining a guardianship will allow you to make decisions with respect to the care of the child including medical matters and schooling. Guardianships of children can also be obtained for the sole reason of providing health insurance for a child who is not born to you.
Spousal Support
When you have a Judgment in a Divorce or a Paternity/Child Custody case, there are certain circumstances that can arise which make it necessary to change or modify that Judgment. Changes to child custody, child support, and spousal support (maintenance or alimony), are often able to be modified to fit your current circumstances by filing a modification. Sometimes, these changes can be made very simply without requiring an appearance in the courtroom. The Lowry Law Firm’s family law attorneys are happy to meet with you for a free consultation to determine if a modification is right for you. They will provide reasonable advice on whether you have grounds for a modification and on whether would be inclined to modify the judgment.
Annulment
In certain circumstances, an annulment may be the appropriate method of terminating a marriage. An annulment is appropriate when a marriage is invalid from the beginning. For example, if one of the parties was still married at the time of this marriage, or if there was fraud committed that induced you into the marriage, then an annulment may be appropriate.
Our Jefferson County criminal defense lawyers understand the embarrassment and anxiety that comes with an arrest. We put clients at ease and deftly handle every stage of your defense without passing judgment.
DUI/DWI
There are a number of ways Missouri’s Department of Revenue can suspend, revoke, or deny individuals a driver’s license, whether they be from accumulating too many points, an administrative alcohol suspension from a DWI, a refusal revocation, or DWI convictions. They are quick to take driver’s licenses, but not so quick to give them back.
Wrongful Death
A serious injury or wrongful death can have a devastating impact on work and family life. Clients seek comfort in our superior experience during this confusing, frustrating, and frightening time. They trust our legal team to use proven, effective strategies to ensure resolution and proper compensation.
Traffic Violations
You may think it is easier to plead guilty to a traffic violation and send in the money rather than deal with the hassle of hiring an attorney, but a guilty plea can have long-term consequences, including points on your license that raise your insurance rates, higher fines, or loss of driving privileges.
Sex Crimes
Sex offenses are some of the most serious crimes. On one hand, from a legal perspective, they can result in significant prison sentences, sex offender registration, and lifetime GPS monitoring. On the other hand, even merely being charged can have a negative, embarrassing stigma—whether the charges are rape, relate to child molestation, or relate to child pornography. Any time you are charged with a sex offense, consult with an experienced sex offense lawyer. In fact, even if you have not been charged but you hear of sex charge allegations, it is advisable to talk to a sex offense attorney.
Robbery
Robbery is one of the most serious crimes. It involves forcibly stealing property-whether there is a weapon presented or not-and depending on the charge, individuals charged with robbery are looking at five (5) years to life in prison if convicted. It goes without saying, but individuals charged with or suspected of committing robbery need to consult with a knowledgeable, respected attorney for advice to help prevent that from happening.
Burglary
In Missouri, burglary, in the most simple sense, is entering a building or inhabitable structure unlawfully for the purpose of committing a crime inside. Burglary—whether it be first degree or second degree—is a felony, and the severity of the charge depends on certain factors related to the alleged crime, such as whether a person was inside the building or structure at the time or whether the alleged burglar possessed a deadly weapon.
White Collar Crimes
Misdemeanors
The Second Amendment guarantees citizens the Right to Bear Arms. However, the State of Missouri and the United States have enacted laws that place restrictions on when and how citizens can use a firearm and even carry or possess a firearm. For example, Missouri prohibits the unlawful possession of a firearm for those who have felony convictions and prohibits the unlawful use of a weapon if it is displayed or used in various manners. These charges can be misdemeanor or felony weapons charges. In fact, certain unlawful use of a weapon charges require prison time.
Drug Crimes
Drug charges are unique crimes because they always involve a Fourth Amendment analysis. For drug cases to be charged, drugs or drug paraphernalia always have to be seized, and it is common they are seized following a search. The Fourth Amendment protects against unconstitutional searches and seizures; therefore, good drug charge lawyers will always evaluate a Motion to Suppress the evidence related to the seizure and, if applicable, the search of the drug or drug paraphernalia.
Assault
Assault and domestic assault charges occur more frequently than many people think. Some occur as the result of an intense argument with a loved one or close friend, and some assault charges result because of misperception (perhaps an individual is intoxicated). Other charges may even result because a loved one got vindictive during an argument. Regardless of how the charges came about, they are usually frustrating, and working with the right assault charge lawyer or domestic assault charge lawyer can help alleviate any frustration, as well as potentially the charge.
Probation Violation
Arson
Restraining Order
Commonly referred to as “restraining orders,” Orders of Protection are, in actuality, a separate legal matter. Orders of Protection are typically applied for by a person wishing protection from another person (known as an Adult Order of Protection), or by a person wishing to protect their child from another person (known as a Child Order of Protection). If you are granted or are served with an Order of Protection, it is important that you consult with an attorney at The Lowry Law Firm as soon as possible.
Property damage offenses are simple in that individuals can be charged with property damage based on damaging property of another. However, the severity of the charge is not so simple. Property damage charges can range from municipal ordinance violations to misdemeanors to a Class B felony. One main factor in determining the severity of the charge is the value of the damaged property, and that issue is not always cut and dry, either, because the relevant value is the fair market value of the item. This factor can make the difference between an individual being charged with a municipal ordinance violation or a felony, so it is important to consult with a lawyer familiar with Missouri’s property damage laws.
Our Jefferson County personal injury attorneys have creative and effective strategies to ensure you receive proper medical care and successful resolution of your case.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Our firm stands ready to assist when tragedy strikes in any of the following areas: wrongful death, truck accidents, auto accidents (serious and fender bender), dog bites & animal attacks, pedestrian accidents, injuries at work, elevator or escalator accidents, railroad accidents, plane crashes, helicopter crashes, construction accidents, motorcycle, boat, or bike accidents, three-wheeler/four-wheeler and ATV accidents, recreational accidents, fires or explosions, drowning, electrocution, slip and fall accidents, and products liability.
Although he has handled cases in several areas of law, his focus is on criminal defense, traffic violations, DUI/DWIs, and wills and trusts. The American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys has listed him as one of the 10 best DUI/DWI attorneys for client satisfaction. His ambition of being one of the successful Jefferson County attorneys drives him to help find the best solution to his clients’ legal needs and to protect their rights.