You've found your dream home and your offer's been accepted – this is an exciting time! As you approach closing, your agent, attorney, or title company will ask how you'd like to hold the title to the property. While individual ownership is common, placing your new house into a trust right from the start has compelling advantages. Why Transfer Your New House to a Trust at Closing?Effortless Probate Avoidance: Your house seamlessly passes to your intended beneficiaries outside of probate court. This means no costly attorney fees, administrative delays, or undue stress for your heirs. Control Even After Your Passing: With a…

When creating an estate plan with the help of a Minnesota will attorney, you’ll be asked to choose the beneficiaries whom you want to inherit your money and property when you pass away. In most cases, our clients tell us that they want their life’s hard work to go toward the betterment of their children’s lives. Due to age differences, children will usually outlive their parents as well. But, what happens when a parent outlives a child?  What becomes of the inheritance you wanted to pass on to him or her?If You Don’t Have a Will or Trust…The answer depends on…

Two of the most uncomfortable topics for almost any family to discuss are money and death. As a result, conversations about estate planning often don't happen until it's too late.  As a Minnesota probate lawyer, I realize that there is never an easy time to bring up such sensitive topics, but the sooner you “have the talk” about estate planning, the better off your family will be.No matter what is being discussed, we always recommend being very honest and clear about your wishes. Make sure that your loved ones know how you want your assets managed and distributed, especially if you're…

 “What’s the worst thing that can happen if I get sick or pass away without an estate plan in place?”  This is a common question our Minnesota will lawyer receives, especially from those in close-knit families who believe that their kids (or other loved ones) will peacefully sort everything out when they pass away without needing any additional legal documents or guardrails in place.The truth of the matter is that without a plan (or even the wrong plan) you make things much harder for the people you care about, even if everything goes as smoothly as possible and everyone gets along.  Managing…

Estate planning often brings about crucial conversations about the future. When family dynamics are marked by tension or conflict, discussing your estate planning wishes can become even more challenging. However, clear communication is key to ensuring your plans are understood and respected. A Minnesota estate planning lawyer can offer not only legal guidance but also strategies for navigating these sensitive discussions. Understanding the Importance of Clear CommunicationIn any estate plan, the clarity of your intentions is paramount. When family members are at odds, this clarity becomes even more critical to prevent misinterpretation, disputes, and potential litigation after you're gone.Strategies for Communicating…