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.
The recent proliferation of online estate planning document services has attracted many individuals to prepare their own estate documents in what appears to be a low-cost solution. However, this focus on price over value could mean your wishes will not be carried out and, unfortunately, nobody will know there is a problem until it is too late and you are...
Estate planning attorneys regularly receive inquiries from potential clients asking how much a ‘simple will’ costs. But a basic last will and testament cannot accomplish every goal of estate planning; and often cannot even accomplish the most common goals. This fact often surprises people who are going through the estate planning process for the first...
Affidavits are a very common legal document. You may have signed several affidavits over the years, without fully knowing what they are. You might have signed one to register to vote or obtain some government benefit. An affidavit can also be used as evidence in a lawsuit. Before you sign another affidavit, be sure you understand what you are signing. An...
It is common for individuals beginning the estate planning process to assume it is best to have their adult children join them in the initial meeting with an estate planning attorney. Likewise many well-meaning adults want to help their aging parents get affairs in order by arranging the initial estate planning meeting. But is this always a good idea?...
Many grandparents who are financially set love the idea of making gifts to their grandchildren. However, they are usually not aware of the many issues related to what many consider to be a simple gift. If you are considering gifting a significant amount to your grandchildren, some things to consider are: Making a Lifetime Gift or a Bequest: Before making...
Workplace romances are never advisable, but sometimes co-workers or business partners fall in love and get married. Unfortunately, they also sometimes fall out of love and get divorced. What happens next? While a divorce between co-workers can be awkward, a divorce between business partners can be especially complicated. For some couples, the end of the...
Preparing for the future is an uncertain business, but there are steps you can take during your lifetime to simplify matters for your loved ones after you pass, and to ensure your final wishes are carried out. Planning for what happens to your property, or who cares for your loved ones, upon your death can be a complicated process. The following list of...
“The sandwich generation” is the term given to adults who are raising children and simultaneously caring for elderly or infirm parents. Your children are one piece of “bread,” your parents are the other piece of “bread,” and you are “sandwiched” into the middle. Caring for parents at the same time as you care for your children, your spouse, and your job is...
Even if someone has a will in place, it’s still likely that his or her estate should be overseen by a good probate or estate attorney in Minnesota. These professionals understand the incredibly complex process that goes along with closing out someone’s estate after he or she has passed away. Those who have worked with an estate planning lawyer can...
Stepparent adoption is the most common form of adoption in the United States. Once the adoption is finalized, the stepparent assumes full financial and legal responsibility for his or her spouse’s child and the non-custodial parent’s rights and responsibilities are terminated. Stepparent adoptions are handled according to state law, and can vary across...
Many people are confused by advance directives for health care. They are unsure what type of directives are available, and whether or not they need need directives at all, especially if they are young. There are several types of advance directives. One is a living will, which communicates what type of life support and medical treatments, such as...
“Do it yourself” divorce is fraught with risks – even if your case is “simple” and both parties agree on all issues regarding division of property, support, and child custody and visitation. As many have learned the hard way, it is all too easy to make critical missteps today that will come back to haunt you down the road. The proliferation of DIY websites...