Wade Law Office, LLC

04/08/2026

Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer, has pled guilty to the murder of 7 women in New York yesterday. The case has been on-going since 2010 when police were searching for a missing woman, unconnected to this case, and found human remains. The search yielded the remains of 6 women along Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach on Long Island. A seventh victim was found 60 miles east and an eighth victim was found 20 miles west of the original discovery.

Heuermann was an architect in midtown Manhattan. The pivotal evidence in the case came when he threw a box of partially eaten pizza crusts into a sidewalk trash can outside his office. The DNA on the box matched to a male hair found on one of the victims.

Numerous documentaries and tv movies have been made about the Gilgo Beach murders. It is probably the best known serial killer case of the last 15 years.

Heuermann will receive a life without the possibility of parole sentence. He has agreed to work with the FBI's Behavorial Analysis Unit. His sentencing will be June 17.

03/19/2026

Had several questions recently about estate and gift tax.
The estate tax exemption for 2026 is $15 million per individual and $30 million for a married couple.
The gift tax exemption is the same. What can be confusing though is if an individual gifts more than $19,000.00 to a person in a calendar year, there must be a tax form filed with the IRS reporting that they paid more than $19,000.00 to that person.
For comparison, in 2001, 25 years ago, the estate tax exemption was $675,000.00 per individual and $1,350,000.00 for a married couple. Non-reportable gifts were maxed out at $10,000.00

03/03/2026

Last year we kept you updated on the ownership reporting requirements of LLC’s, corporations, etc. with the US Treasury (FinCEN). Eventually the law requiring the reporting was struck down. Now a new FinCEN reporting requirement started March 1, 2026, and it will effect numerous people. Essentially, any transfer of residential property to an entity, such as an LLC, corporation, certain trusts – where no bank mortgage is involved will require a FinCEN report.

Examples of transactions that will require reporting: putting paid off rental property into an LLC, an LLC purchasing a home and paying cash, or a seller financed purchase of a home to an entity. This is only a partial list and there are exceptions.

Please be aware of this requirement as there are both civil and criminal penalties for not properly reporting a qualifying transaction.

01/19/2026

Trust administration is important for the heirs after the trust creator dies. Just because assets are in a trust and avoid probate, does not mean the heirs do not need to consult an attorney. Creditors need to be notified, tax returns filed, and a proper valuation performed so the trust beneficiaries pay no taxes or as little taxes as possible in the future. Assets can be transferred from the trust or remain in trust depending on the terms of the trust. All of this must be done by the successor trustee named in the trust.
Administration and wrapping up a trust can be technical and complicated.
Call Wade Law Office for assistance with trust administration and probate work.

01/09/2026

Here at Wade Law Office, LLC we have been and continue to experience technical difficulties with both our phone and internet. Please be patient with us as we continue to work through this.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Wade Law Office!

We will be closed Thursday, January 1st and Friday, January 2nd.

We look forward to seeing you back in the office on Monday, January 5th!

12/30/2025

REMINDER: January is a perfect time to create an estate plan or update your existing one.
Your trust, will, and powers of attorney may need to be amended. Don't wait until it is an emergency.
We will be back to our normal business hours starting January 5th, so call for an appointment. 417-683-4117.

12/25/2025

12/22/2025

There are new tax changes that may effect estate planning in 2026, such as:
1. Federal exemption per person becomes $15 million on January 1, 2026. This is permanent unless repealed by Congress.
2. Annual gift amount remains at $19,000.00 - same as 2025.
3. In 2025, Missouri became the first state to eliminate capital gains for individuals. This carries over to 2026. It is state tax only not federal.
The federal rate for long-term capital gains is 0%, 15%, 20%, depending on the income bracket of the person(s).
4. The standard deduction increases from $31,500.00 to $32,700.00 for married filing jointly and from $15,750.00 to $16,100.00 for individuals and married filing separately. Head of Household will be $24,150.00.
Now is a great time to prepare for 2026. Contact Wade Law Office to review your estate plan.

11/27/2025

May your bellies be full and your house full of warmth with the sound of laughter……we are thankful for all our clients and count each and every one as a blessing. We pray you all have a bountiful Thanksgiving.

11/11/2025

Thank you, Veterans!

Veterans, thank you doesn't seem adequate enough as we all owe you a debt of gratitude. More so we owe you a deeper respect
for the cost of our freedom and what you sacrificed!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!