5 Reasons You May Contest a Will

When dealing with the final wishes of a loved one who has recently passed, it can be difficult to separate emotions from what needs to be done. Fortunately, you can seek the aid of a skilled and empathetic St. Louis estate planning attorney who can act as an objective third party. Additionally, an attorney can… Continue reading

When dealing with the final wishes of a loved one who has recently passed, it can be difficult to separate emotions from what needs to be done. Fortunately, you can seek the aid of a skilled and empathetic St. Louis estate planning attorney who can act as an objective third party. Additionally, an attorney can help advise you on the possibility of contesting a will, in the event that you believe executing a will would not be in the best interest of the deceased or the friends, family, and/or business partners left behind. Here are five reasons to contest a will that may shed light on your current situation.

  1. In order to be valid, a will must be written, witnessed, and executed in the state where the testator had legal residence (owned property, conducted business, paid taxes, etc.). Each state has different requirements both for legal residency and execution of wills.
  2. Mental Capacity. A will can be declared invalid if a person can prove that the creator of the will was suffering from mental illness, dementia, or was under the influence of a mind-altering substance when enacting their will.
  3. Under most state laws, a person must be at least 18 to create a legally valid will. Some states make exceptions for minors who are married or in the military.
  4. If a person creates a valid will, and then several months later drafts another signed, dated, and witnessed will, the newer document will supersede the older one in a court of law.
  5. A will must be signed in the presence of at least two (more in some states) witnesses. Often, those witnesses must not be named as beneficiaries in the will.

These are just some of the reasons behind everyday estate disputes. Are you considering the possibility of contesting a relative or partner’s will? A St. Louis estate planning lawyer from Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., can help. Fill out our contact form here to schedule your free legal consultation today.

How a St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You

Unlike many different kinds of legal cases, a personal injury suit is one you can never prepare for. After all, no one plans to get into a car accident or be injured on the job. However, if disaster strikes and you find yourself unable to work, or inundated with spiraling medical expenses, know that you… Continue reading

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Unlike many different kinds of legal cases, a personal injury suit is one you can never prepare for. After all, no one plans to get into a car accident or be injured on the job. However, if disaster strikes and you find yourself unable to work, or inundated with spiraling medical expenses, know that you do not have to shoulder this burden alone. By hiring a competent St. Louis personal injury attorney, you can align yourself with a lawyer who will use every weapon in their arsenal to make sure you and your loved ones receive fair and generous compensation. No one deserves to be injured while at the workplace or in a public space. If you feel that you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, read on to learn more about how a St. Louis personal injury attorney can help you get back on your feet financially.

St. Louis personal injury attorneys work by assessing the details of your case, and then coming up with a plan of action to either settle out of court with the responsible parties, or by bringing your case in front of a judge. The right attorney will counsel you as to your options and the likeliest outcomes for each. Then, depending on your priorities, he or she will walk you through the steps of enacting your plan. In many instances, your attorney will take over the burden of interacting directly with those responsible for your injury, which can be a great relief for those who are suffering. No matter the outcome, your attorney will always be on your side, defending your rights and representing your interests to the end.

Are you ready to hire an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney? Call the legal team at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., today. Our team is waiting to hear from you so we can begin working your case and getting you the benefits to which you are entitled. Call toll-free at (800) 782-8492.

The 6 Most Common Types of Product Liability Claims

When dealing with an injury caused by a product such as a lawnmower or a medical device, it is often tempting to assume that you must have made a mistake that led to your misfortune. After all, don’t most products go through rigorous testing and evaluations before being released on the market? While it’s true… Continue reading

image of a variety of medicine and pills

When dealing with an injury caused by a product such as a lawnmower or a medical device, it is often tempting to assume that you must have made a mistake that led to your misfortune. After all, don’t most products go through rigorous testing and evaluations before being released on the market? While it’s true that products for public consumption are expected to live up to certain regulations, the reality is that any product can fail. Never assume that it is your fault that you or a loved one was injured while using a specific product. Here are six common types of product liability claims that attorneys handle every day around the country.

  1. Auto Parts. A very common and highly publicized type of product liability case, auto parts defects can occur in any part of the vehicle, from the engine and the brakes to the air bags and other safety devices.
  2. Medical Devices. Medical devices such as hip replacements, pacemakers, walkers, and prosthetic limbs can have dangerous and even lethal defects.
  3. Lawn Equipment. Lawnmowers, string trimmers, and tractors are all complicated motorized devices capable of causing injury to users if they contain defects or are not properly labeled.
  4. Children’s Toys. We all work hard to keep our children safe from harm, which is why it is particularly stressing when we find out that their toys have been recalled due to dangerous defect.
  5. Home Improvement Tools. Home improvement tools such as power drills, saws, and electrical equipment must be labeled properly by manufacturers in order to ensure proper handling by users.
  6. Medications, including over the counter medications such as pain relievers, have been recalled in the past due to unlabeled side effects or contamination.

If you or a loved one has been injured recently and are interested in learning more about product liability claims, call the lawyers at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. Our team of experienced product liability attorneys are here to help you assess your case and take action in court. Call us today at (800) 782-8492 to get started.

Why Experience Matters When Hiring a Business Litigation Attorney

A business litigation attorney has a responsibility to both sides in a business dispute in that they are meant to be a third party representative of the law. However, with the right attorney on your side, you can rest assured that your interests are being represented in a clear and valid manner. Not all business… Continue reading

metal stars laying on a table

A business litigation attorney has a responsibility to both sides in a business dispute in that they are meant to be a third party representative of the law. However, with the right attorney on your side, you can rest assured that your interests are being represented in a clear and valid manner. Not all business litigation attorneys are created equal, and it certainly pays to have an experienced and professional lawyer on your side should you have to take action. Below is a rundown of all the advantages you receive when you go with a top attorney in the field of business litigation.

An experienced business litigation attorney knows what it takes to win the case. With their extensive knowledge of business law, paired with real-world experience handling a variety of cases, they can adapt easily to the specifics of any situation. No two cases are exactly alike, and it takes a sharp mind to identify the intricacies of each individual case, and apply them to the letter of the law. Don’t trust your business interests to an attorney who might mean well, but doesn’t have the experience necessary to make lightning quick connections between your case and legal precedent. In both the court room and the board room, there is simply no substitute for real world experience.

Thinking of hiring a business litigation attorney to help you settle a dispute in the workplace? The law offices of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. have a team of accomplished attorneys ready and willing to help you. Simply call our offices at (800) 782-8492 to set up your own no-pressure legal consultation. Our attorneys will assess your case and advocate aggressively on your behalf to settle the dispute quickly and fairly. Get in touch today—our team is waiting to hear from you!

2 Common Misconceptions about Wills and Trusts

Wills and trusts differ slightly from the way they’re depicted in films and on television, in that they function less as a dramatic spectacle and more as a routine administration of your final wishes. In fact, many clients seek out dedicated estate management attorneys with certain expectations in mind, only to learn later that what… Continue reading

paperwork filer with labels for wills

Wills and trusts differ slightly from the way they’re depicted in films and on television, in that they function less as a dramatic spectacle and more as a routine administration of your final wishes. In fact, many clients seek out dedicated estate management attorneys with certain expectations in mind, only to learn later that what they believe about wills is false. Here are a couple common misconceptions about wills and trusts. After you learn them, you will be better prepared to speak with your attorney about your plans for the future.

Misconception #1: Everything Will Go As Planned
Unfortunately in death, as in life, you must plan for the unexpected. When preparing their wills and trusts, many people believe that their family members will accept whatever the documents lay out without infighting. This is rarely the case. That’s why it is so important to have a competent attorney who will assure that your will is ironclad and difficult to dispute.

Misconception #2: Even If I Make a Will, It Will Just Be Disputed Anyway
This school of thought is the opposite from the first myth. This person recognizes that estate administration is rarely simple, and he or she worries that their wishes will not be respected once they’re no longer around to advocate for themselves. While it is true that wills and trusts can be challenged in court, it again comes down to the prowess of your attorney. It’s crucial to hire someone who will advocate aggressively on your behalf, even after you’re gone.

Now that you know more about how wills and trusts work, it’s time to get started outlining your wishes for the future. The attorneys at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. are well versed in estate management law, and can help you safeguard your assets and outline your wishes in a way that will help your friends and family down the line. Fill out a contact form here to get in touch with an attorney today who can schedule an appointment for a free legal consultation to go over your options.

4 Times a Small Business Attorney Can Come in Handy

Every small business owner starts out with big dreams for the future. However, the ones who eventually achieve those goals are the ones who realize that proper planning in the beginning is essential to growing over time. That’s why you need a small business attorney from the beginning who can help you outline your growth… Continue reading

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Every small business owner starts out with big dreams for the future. However, the ones who eventually achieve those goals are the ones who realize that proper planning in the beginning is essential to growing over time. That’s why you need a small business attorney from the beginning who can help you outline your growth strategies and protect your assets as they multiply. Don’t let red tape stand in the way of your dreams. Here are four ways a small business attorney can save you time and money as you grow your business.

  1. Selecting Your Business Entity. Choosing the proper business entity can help guide your business’ growth throughout its lifespan. Your business entity defines many important legal aspects about the way your business functions from day to day. From sole proprietorship to LLCs and even nonprofits—every kind of small business needs to declare its organization structure.
  2. Negotiating Contracts. Contracts are a major part of how a small business grows. To ensure that all parties entering into a contract are protected by the law, a dedicated small business attorney should be on hand to review and negotiate all contracts.
  3. Day to Day Business Affairs. Your attorney can help you navigate shareholder disputes, set up benefits including insurance and stock options for your employees, and creative and organizational strategies that will grow as your business does.
  4. Growing With Real Estate. Real estate is a key part of any business’ growth strategy. Let a small business attorney help you negotiate property deals and handle the legal aspects of buying and owning commercial property.

Are you a small business owner looking for a small business attorney to help you with your goals? It’s time to call Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. Our small business attorneys are on hand every day to discuss your business’ unique needs and limitations, and outline a strategy for profitable and sustainable expansion. Call us today at (800) 782-8492 to set up your free consultation.

Estate Planning Lawyer: How to Contest Your Loved One’s Will

When a loved one passes on, it falls to those closest to him or her to handle their affairs and their estate. When someone leaves their last will and testament, it is with the hope that these legal documents will ease the burden of settling the estate for their loved ones. Unfortunately, this is not… Continue reading

When a loved one passes on, it falls to those closest to him or her to handle their affairs and their estate. When someone leaves their last will and testament, it is with the hope that these legal documents will ease the burden of settling the estate for their loved ones. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Estate disputes can and do occur, and are often difficult to negotiate due to the overwhelming emotional stress of the parties involved. If you are in the process of contesting a loved one’s will, know that you are not alone. By hiring a competent estate planning lawyer, you gain an advocate who will use the law to protect your interests and settle your loved one’s estate once and for all. Here are some tips for how to handle contesting a loved one’s will using the legal system.

It is important that your hire an attorney with experience handling will disputes. This is a delicate area of estate law, requiring an attorney to use the legal system to advocate on behalf of a person who is no longer around to give instructions. When disputing a will, have a clear idea of what your desired outcome is, and why you are fighting for it. Finally, you should be prepared to put emotion aside as much as possible and work with your lawyer and the other parties involved to come to a fair resolution.

If you are in the process of contesting a loved one’s will and you would like the assistance of a dedicated estate planning lawyer, then look no further than the law offices of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. Our seasoned team of legal experts is on hand to advocate aggressively on your behalf in and out of court and carry the legal burden during this difficult time. Fill out our contact form to set up your free legal consultation today.

How to Spot the Good St. Louis Attorneys from the Bad Ones

When facing a lawsuit or the potential of filing a lawsuit, choosing the right attorney to handle your case can often be the difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to spot which attorneys are good choices and which will leave you out in the cold. Here’s a handy guide on… Continue reading

When facing a lawsuit or the potential of filing a lawsuit, choosing the right attorney to handle your case can often be the difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to spot which attorneys are good choices and which will leave you out in the cold. Here’s a handy guide on how to spot the good St. Louis attorneys from the bad ones, so you can rest assured that your legal future is being handled by a competent and professional expert of the law.

Any attorney you hire should be available to discuss your case as needed. Of course you are unlikely to be their only client or responsibility, but if you’ve been trying to contact your lawyer for more than a couple days and all of your emails and phone calls have gone unacknowledged and unreturned, that is a bad sign. At the very least, all good St. Louis attorneys will have their legal assistant or receptionist get back to you and explain the delay.

Another warning sign is an attorney who guarantees a specific outcome of your case. No attorney, no matter how skilled, can predict the future. Practicing law is all about interpreting the law and navigating the legal system, which means no two cases are ever alike. A good lawyer will outline all possible outcomes as well as prepare you for what is most likely to happen, but they do not make promises they can’t keep.

Are you having a difficult time finding the right St. Louis attorneys for your legal needs? Get in touch with the team at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. With a combined several decades of experience practicing law in the St. Louis area, the attorneys at Goldenberg Heller are on hand ready to tackle a wide variety of cases. From business litigation to personal injury to estate planning and management, the dedicated lawyers at Goldenberg Heller are ready to help you. Give us a call today at (800) 782-8492 and rest assured that you’ve made a good choice.

4 Conflicts a Commercial Business Litigation Attorney Can Handle

A business litigation attorney specializes in conflicts within a business. This means that they can handle a variety of cases, from diverging views between shareholders to disputes over land and real estate. Read on to learn about some of the different kinds of conflicts that an Edwardsville commercial business litigation attorney could face on any… Continue reading

A business litigation attorney specializes in conflicts within a business. This means that they can handle a variety of cases, from diverging views between shareholders to disputes over land and real estate. Read on to learn about some of the different kinds of conflicts that an Edwardsville commercial business litigation attorney could face on any given day.

  1. Business disputes and dissolution. If your company is taking a turn for the worse because of partnership disputes, or if it’s time to dissolve your company completely, then an Edwardsville commercial business litigation attorney can help by making the process go smoothly and ensuring that everyone gets what he or she wants in accordance with the law.
  2. Breaches of contract. A breach of contract occurs when one or more parties behave in a manner which conflicts with a legally binding business contract. In some cases, this can even render a contract null and void. A business attorney can tell you whether or not this is the case.
  3. Employment contracts. A business litigator can help companies outline and enforce employee contracts, ensuring that everyone who works in the company has a clear understanding of the guidelines and expectations for their conduct.
  4. Real Estate. Buying or selling property is often a necessary step to grow your business. A competent business litigator can be on hand to help you navigate legal restrictions that mandate commercial property ownership.

Of course, this list is far from exhaustive. There are many different aspects of business law for which an Edwardsville commercial business litigation attorney can provide their services. If you think your specific issue warrants a litigator, call the experts at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. We will work diligently to assess your case’s specific objectives and considerations, and to propose real-world solutions that will not cause undo harm to your company. Fill out our contact form to get started today.

How We Can Solve Your Shareholder Disputes

Shareholder disputes are an inevitable part of any business’ growth, no matter how uncomfortable they might seem. The truth is, the more people you have invested in the future of your company, the more likely it becomes that two or more of those parties will have differing opinions or interests when it comes to how… Continue reading

Shareholder disputes are an inevitable part of any business’ growth, no matter how uncomfortable they might seem. The truth is, the more people you have invested in the future of your company, the more likely it becomes that two or more of those parties will have differing opinions or interests when it comes to how the company should be managed. The best thing to do in case of any potential shareholder disputes is to enlist the aid of dedicated Edwardsville business litigation lawyers to help you manage the dispute quickly, efficiently, fairly, and most importantly, in a manner that is beneficial or at least not harmful to the company.

Business litigation lawyers are experts in the field of business law and as such know exactly how to keep negotiations fair, civil, and legal. In cases where shareholders are also longtime business partners or other close associates, the process of litigating a dispute can become emotionally fraught. This is when it is most crucial to have an objective legal professional handling negotiations. That way, all parties can move forward and work toward the continuing financial success of the company.

If you are a minority shareholder in a business, you may feel that your options are limited. However, with the right Edwardsville business litigation lawyers by your side, you can successfully and confidently negotiate your own buyout, dissolution, or increased representation within the business.

Edwardsville business litigation lawyers are in high demand; get in touch with the litigators at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. for advice. They will get to work right away solving your shareholder disputes and ensuring everyone is treated fairly in accordance with the law. You can get in touch by calling (800) 782-8492 to set up a free, no pressure legal consultation with one of our attorneys.