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.
A Guide from a Monticello Special Needs LawyerPlanning for the future of a child or adult with disabilities can feel overwhelming. Between medical care, education planning, government benefits, and long-term financial support, families often face complex decisions. In Monticello and throughout Minnesota, parents and grandparents frequently seek guidance...
Advice From a Monticello Estate Planning LawyerBuilding a successful business takes years of hard work, risk, and sacrifice. Making sure that business survives after you retire, become incapacitated, or pass away requires a completely different kind of planning.Without a proper estate plan, a business can quickly unravel—often at the exact moment it is...
Placing a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility is never an easy decision. Families trust these facilities to provide safety, dignity, and proper care. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect occur in Minnesota far more often than many people realize—even in facilities that appear clean, well-staffed, and reputable.While most...
You spent a lifetime working to build financial security for your family. As retirement approaches, the last thing you want is to see those hard-earned assets drained by the rising cost of nursing home or assisted living care.In Minnesota, long-term care costs can exceed $100,000 per year, and many families are shocked to learn how quickly savings can...
Creating a solid Minnesota estate planning strategy is one of the best ways to protect your home, assets, and loved ones. Documents like wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and revocable living trusts all play an important role. However, many homeowners are surprised to learn that signing estate planning documents is only the first step.If...
Walking into your first estate planning consultation can feel overwhelming. You might wonder what information you'll need to provide or what topics will be covered. Understanding what to expect can help you prepare and make the most of this important meeting. Here are the key questions your Minnesota estate planning attorney will likely ask to create...
As a Monticello estate attorney, one of the most common concerns I hear from parents is surprisingly consistent: "How can I make sure my son-in-law or daughter-in-law doesn't walk away with my child's inheritance if they get divorced?"It's a delicate subject. While we all hope our children's marriages last forever, divorce statistics make this a...
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is any fertility treatment involving the handling of embryos and eggs. The most common types of ART are in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, and cryopreservation. Surrogacy is another ART arrangement that involves a woman carrying someone else’s baby until birth.ART is helpful for anyone with fertility...
Not long ago, our Monticello estate planning firm was contacted by a couple who asked for an appointment to make some changes to an old estate plan. When we inquired about the changes they wanted to make, they uncomfortably said, “We want to disinherit our son from our estate.”While families are intrinsically connected, many people decide that...
It's a common misconception: if you don't have children, you might think a will isn't necessary. After all, who are you leaving things to? However, an experienced Minnesota estate lawyer will tell you that having a will is crucial for everyone, regardless of their family structure. Whether you're single, married, in a partnership, or simply don't have...
For many individuals in Minnesota, corporate stock represents a significant portion of their wealth. Whether you own shares in a publicly traded company, privately held family business stock, or employee stock options, these assets require careful estate planning consideration. Simply listing "stocks" in your will isn't enough to ensure these valuable...
As an experienced Minnesota will and trust lawyer, I'm often asked whether residents can legally write their own wills without an attorney. The short answer is yes—Minnesota law does allow individuals to create their own wills. However, the more important question isn't whether you can, but whether you should.The Legal Requirements for a Valid Will...