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 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...
In the divorce seminars I teach and in my initial consultations with clients, I often talk about the difference between the emotional divorce and the legal divorce. I am an attorney, it is my job to help with the legal divorce; to help my clients get through the court process and settle issues related to property and debt division, spousal maintenance, and...
For many adults in Minnesota, the thought of estate planning conjures up visions of grandma and grandpa putting together a will or a trust to pass down their home or cherished heirlooms to family members. It’s all about providing for our offspring, right? Not necessarily. Even if you are single and/or have no children, sitting down with a will and trust...
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,...
As social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace gain in popularity, attorneys are dealing with issues regarding the use, or misuse, of these sites. Employers are using these sites to check up on employees, litigants are using these sites to uncover dirt on opposing sides and witnesses, and in family law cases, parties are using these...
Divorce can be difficult, but you don’t need to be unprepared. Being prepared can help you handle the emotions, understand the legal process, and get through the divorce as stress-free as possible. Below are some steps to take towards a “nice” divorce: Find a Support Network Divorce can be a very challenging and emotional time. Be good to yourself and find...
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...
In many households, the dog or cat has become an important member of the family. So it is not surprising that battles over Fluffy and Fido are becoming more common in divorce court. However, legally, pets are still viewed as property and options for dealing with pet custody in a divorce are very limited. The courts will not make a decision based upon “the...
The holiday season can be a sensitive time for anyone but for those going through divorce, or trying to move on after the process of divorce, it can be even more difficult. Some people struggle with moving on at this time of year due to past hurts, children who need to split time with families during the holiday season, or because of the memories of past...
Often, during the divorce process, there are times when one party becomes entirely unreasonable. They won’t agree, refuse to be reasonable, and generally make themselves a giant pain in the you-know-what. Some people, in the throws of divorce, lose their ability to reason, and that can make the other party uncomfortable, in addition to making communication...
While retiling the bathroom floor or installing new switch-plates throughout your house may be great DIY weekend projects, writing your own will should not make your to-do list. In the instance that the tile job is botched, you can hire a professional. If you botch your own will, there is nothing you can do or say about it after you are gone. In case there...
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...