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Estate planning, elder law, family transitions, business planning – the legal issues that affect your family are always evolving. Jennifer writes regularly to keep you informed, educated, and empowered. Browse the latest articles below, or search by topic to find what you’re looking for.
A common misconception is that a divorce attorney is only needed when there are disagreements between the spouses. But when there is a complete agreement on all divorce issues many couples think a divorce attorney is an unnecessary expense. Instead they get free forms from the court, pay for forms over the Internet, or even hire a paralegal or other...
Across the country, folks often put off their estate planning for many reasons. Whether it’s facing your own mortality, or that of your parents, the prospect of needing a will or trust isn’t something that many of us want to think about. The reality, though, is that when we continue to put off the estate planning process, things only tend to get more...
Minnesota attorneys are well aware of the hassles and headaches which families face when a loved one’s estate goes into probate. The process can drag out, eating up not just time but also resources that would have otherwise gone to beneficiaries. Appointed personal representatives find themselves with burdensome responsibilities which can compound their...
A divorce officially starts with the service of the Summons and Petition. The Summons is a very short document (2-3 pages) which notifies the other party (the Respondent) that a divorce lawsuit has been started. The Summons identifies any real estate owned by the party, provides notice of parent education requirements, encourages alternative dispute...
Once you have decided you need a lawyer, the next question is how do you find a lawyer? There are many different ways to find a lawyer, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common ways to find a lawyer: Referrals from Friends and Family By asking friends and family members for referrals, you are getting a...
A common theme among many going through a divorce is the desire to have a “nice” divorce in the most cost-effective way possible. There are many different opinions on how to accomplish this. Today I will explain five options and give some pros/cons for each. I will start off with two general caveats. First of all, I would encourage everyone to at least...
The best thing you can ever give someone you love is peace of mind. Stress and uncertainty can take a toll on all of us, the comfort and reassurance that comes from a well thought out plan can go a long way of relieving the burden. Update Your Will. Hire an attorney who will really take the time to explain the documents to you. Make sure your documents...
One of the most important things to understand when working with a lawyer (and one of the major deterrents in hiring a lawyer) is legal fees. Before hiring a lawyer it is important to understand the fee structure that is used, how much money is required upfront (also known as the retainer), what is covered by the lawyer’s fees, what the extra costs are,...
While not everyone needs a will, most people could benefit from a will. You could use a will if: You would not want your property divided according to your state’s intestacy laws You would want to leave something to a person not recognized by your state’s intestacy laws (a non-marital partner, a stepchild, a best friend) You or your spouse have children...
Sometimes the term “estate plan” can be overwhelming. Or people think, “I don’t have very much, I don’t need an estate plan” Estate planning is just the concept planning for the care of our children, our families, and our assets in the event of our incapacity or death. You don’t need to have a million dollar estate to need an estate plan. My most common...
The term “estate planning” has a tendency to send many people in a panic -too complex, full of legal lingo and complicated tax concepts. In his article Estate Planning Without Anxiety Peter Keating with SmartMoney Magazine does a good job of explaining the basic concepts. There are four simple steps you should be aware of when working on your estate plan:...
1. What areas of law do you practice? Does the attorney limit their practice to one or two areas, or do they take the “Jack of all trades” approach? There are many different areas of law; if an attorney practices a little bit of everything, does he or she have the depth of knowledge necessary for your case? 2. How many open cases do you typically have...