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.
Most individuals are unfamiliar with the term "probate" until a loved one dies. At that point, they might be shocked to learn that they'll have to contact the local courts to begin the process of closing out their loved one's estate. This process can be daunting, especially if you're unfamiliar with probate law. It may also come as a surprise to family...
One of the main benefits of estate and trust planning is the avoidance of probate proceedings. But what does that mean? And why should you want to avoid probate in the first place? The main reason to avoid probate in Minnesota is simply that it’s a long, public, and costly process that could have you or your loved ones tied up in the courts for months or...
Even those who don’t fully understand the probate process are pretty clear about the fact that they want to avoid it. As a Central Minnesota probate lawyer, I see so many cases where probate could have been shortened or avoided altogether if only people had more information. Probate is a legal process that takes place when an individual dies. If he or she...
One of the most common questions asked when it comes to settling an estate in Minnesota is, “How long is this going to take?” The answer to that question is, of course, going to vary depending upon several factors. In some situations, Minnesota probate may just take several weeks or a few months; in others, it could take well over a year. Due to the...
You’ve most likely seen articles and news segments about cryptocurrency. The most popular form is Bitcoin, but there are several others on the horizon. What is cryptocurrency? For the uninitiated, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security, making it difficult to counterfeit. Cryptocurrencies are not issued by any...
What really happens if you don’t create a will, trust, or other estate planning documents and essentially keep your head in the sand? Any Monticello estate attorney will tell you, the honest truth is that you make things much harder, more costly, and more time-consuming for your loved ones if something happens to you. You might lose flexibility and lose...
Working with a Minnesota trust and estates attorney is an excellent way to prepare for the future and to protect the assets you want to pass on to your loved ones after you’re gone. A qualified estate planning lawyer will be able to offer you valuable advice, not only on setting up a will or trust, but also on related issues. Long-term care insurance is...
Small businesses are the backbone of this country. They employ more than half of the domestic workforce and contribute greatly to the economy. 9 out of every 10 small businesses are family-owned. But most of those do not make it past the third generation of family ownership. Many small business owners neglect to do one thing to ensure their business...
One of the most important aspects of estate planning is the overall effect it will have on an individual or couple’s children. Whether these are minor children who will need a guardian or adult children who are already on their own, the need for financial planning exists. A good estate planning attorney in Central Minnesota can help you determine what...
In general, Americans are very uncomfortable talking about end-of-life issues. It can be hard for people to think about (and plan for) their own death, let alone the death of their loved ones. I get it. Yet by not discussing these issues, you are leaving your future caregivers (most often your adult children) in an impossible position. Many people are...
When done properly, an estate plan affords peace of mind to those creating it and leaves behind a legacy for their loved ones. But, sometimes estate planning can go awry – and it’s usually due to eccentricities held by either the creators of the estate plan, the beneficiaries, or both. To give a good idea of how such planning can go wrong, our Minnesota...
If you’ve heard of a 529 Plan, you probably think of it as a means of education funding for your children or your grandchildren. These plans are sponsored by state agencies or educational institutions, and they’re available to people of all income brackets. While a 529 Plan is a great tool for saving for college, you can also use it as part of your estate...