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.
It can be difficult to plan for the future, especially for a time when you’re not able to make certain decisions for yourself. The idea can be tough to swallow, even if you’ve experienced it with older relatives and know of the possibilities. However, planning ahead is the key to staying in control and making life as easy as possible for your loved ones in...
Asset protection strategies help keep your money out of the hands of nursing homes, litigators, and other financial predators. Keep reading to learn about five of the best asset protection strategies to help you keep your money right where it is. Create an Irrevocable TrustExperienced Minnesota estate planning attorneys often recommend trusts for many...
Strategic Planning from a Monticello Estate Lawyer When you name a guardian in your Will, you are choosing the person who will step into your shoes as a parent. For families formed through adoption, this decision requires a deeper level of vetting. Your chosen guardian must be prepared to handle not just the daily routines of childhood, but the specialized...
When most people think about estate planning, they picture signing a will or maybe setting up a trust. But here's what many don't realize: your estate plan isn't a single document. Instead, it's how all your decisions, accounts, and legal instructions work together as one coordinated system. Think of your financial life as a network of connected pieces:...
Many people assume that when they need help later in life, a spouse, child, or close friend will step in. But that assumption is becoming increasingly risky. Today, more than 16 million Americans over age 65 live alone, and most have no formal plan for long-term care or decision-making support as they age. Longer lifespans, higher divorce rates, and...
One of the biggest misconceptions in estate planning is believing that your spouse, children, or closest relatives will automatically inherit your assets. In reality, asset distribution is governed by legal structures like title designations, beneficiary forms, and state intestacy laws, not by assumptions or family expectations. Understanding how your...
Imagine the people you love most gathered after you are gone, and one of your children now holds the checkbook for the others. That single choice, who you name as trustee, can either hold your family together or quietly pull it apart. Many parents simply pick their oldest child because it feels natural, and we understand the instinct. Still, it is one of...
Caring for an aging parent is one of the most meaningful acts of love an adult child can offer. However, it can also be one of the most overwhelming responsibilities you will ever take on. Most families step into caregiving suddenly after a fall, a stroke, a new dementia diagnosis, or simply because a parent can no longer safely live alone. When this shift...
Entrepreneurs often work through everything: deadlines, holidays, even illness. But a sudden hospitalization is different. If no one has authority to sign checks, pay employees, access passwords, or make operational decisions, the business can stall in days. This is why every business owner needs a business continuity estate plan that addresses immediate...
After the death of a loved one, there is quite a bit of work to be done. Most of the financial work will be handled by the executor named by the deceased in their will or trust. These tasks can involve gathering and securing the deceased’s assets and household belongings, paying debts and taxes, filing court paperwork, and more. As you can imagine,...
Blending two families together takes a lot of love and patience, and most couples assume that love will carry everyone through after one of them is gone. We understand why. It feels almost cold to imagine your spouse and your children ending up on opposite sides. Yet this is one of the most common heartaches we see, and a little estate planning in...
Building a Care Team After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: Guidance from a Monticello Incapacity LawyerReceiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming. Individuals and families often experience fear, uncertainty, and emotional stress while trying to understand what the future may hold.One of the most helpful steps you can take early after an...