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.
Losing a loved one is an emotional and life-changing experience. You might be tasked with the responsibility of settling the estate while also grieving your loss. It can be a challenging time in anyone's life. However, it becomes complicated when you must go through probate for out-of-state property. Many people move to various states throughout their...
Because your life changes, so must your estate plan. As a Monticello estate planning lawyer, I recommend that everyone reviews their estate plan every 3 to 5 years because life events that you might not even think about could impact how your estate plan works. While this periodic review is important, there are certain life events that should trigger...
Going through a divorce can be painful, overwhelming, and stressful. It's the end of one chapter and the start of another in your life. Although it might be the right decision, you're forced to confront various issues. For example, you and your ex must agree to the terms of the divorce, such as child support, alimony, and property division. However,...
Most individuals are unfamiliar with the term "probate" until a loved one dies. At that point, they might be shocked to learn that they'll have to contact the local courts to begin the process of closing out their loved one's estate. This process can be daunting, especially if you're unfamiliar with probate law. It may also come as a surprise to family...
Many seniors often have difficulty managing their finances at a certain point, and it comes down to their adult children to assist with these matters. It’s important to know what you’re getting into when you begin assisting an elderly parent with their financial affairs, especially if legal intervention is required. To start, you’ll need to examine your...
The national news has been filled with tragedy lately, including acts of senseless violence committed against random strangers. Families and communities across the nation are mourning the loss of their loved ones and doing what they can to help the survivors. While most people are wondering if such a tragic event could ever happen in their own towns,...
Talking to your family about death can be tough. We don’t like to think about dying and we don't like to think about our loved ones dying. But death is inevitable and the conversation is important to have. If something were to happen to you - would your family know what to do? Would they know whether or not you have estate planning documents, and if so,...
In general, Americans are very uncomfortable talking about end-of-life issues. It can be hard for people to think about (and plan for) their own death, let alone the death of their loved ones. I get it. Yet by not discussing these issues, you are leaving your future caregivers (most often your adult children) in an impossible position. Many people are...
With the number of COVID-19 cases in America increasing exponentially, people across the country are preparing themselves for every possible scenario. As a result, many estate planning attorneys are being inundated with calls and emails about how to plan for this type of pandemic. While the following five tools are essential for estate planning at any...
When done properly, an estate plan affords peace of mind to those creating it and leaves behind a legacy for their loved ones. But, sometimes estate planning can go awry – and it’s usually due to eccentricities held by either the creators of the estate plan, the beneficiaries, or both. To give a good idea of how such planning can go wrong, our Minnesota...
Sometimes parents wish to change or modify custody orders. Unfortunately this is not an easy task. It is important to understand the impact of an initial order, the limits on timing, and the additional requirements for modifications. Initial Custody Order If parents have not reached their own agreement on custody and parenting time, the court needs to make...
For more than a decade I have helped clients with their estate plans. Things are different now. Previously, a potential client reached out to me wanting to talk about wills or trusts. I would explain that an estate plan is so much more than just the will. It’s taking a big picture look to make sure that things are in place no matter what happens - making...