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.
Dementia is one of the most devastating conditions affecting seniors, resulting in an eventual loss of cognitive functions. While there is no cure for dementia or the two leading diseases that cause dementia, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, there are treatments that can slow the effects and help make life more manageable. In order for these treatments...
As seniors start experiencing the changes associated with aging, one of their most common fears is losing their independence. Minnesota elder attorneys recognize that a chief catalyst of such fears is often when the senior loses the ability to drive. A senior’s ability to operate a vehicle may be affected by a loss of vision or hearing, by delays in their...
Modern technology has put research tools once only available to professionals in the hands of everyday people. With nothing more than access to the internet, we can trace our family trees back several centuries. We can now order DNA testing kits through the mail, allowing us to discover our genetic roots without leaving our home. But how does the discovery...
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...
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...
Sometimes parents wish to change or modify custody orders. Unfortunately this is not an easy task. It is important to understand the impact of an initial order, the limits on timing, and the additional requirements for modifications. Initial Custody Order If parents have not reached their own agreement on custody and parenting time, the court needs to make...
If you are contemplating divorce there are many things to think about. A divorce can impact all areas of your life and you don't want to go in to the process blind. Here are just a few things to consider. Sheer Change for All Involved Humans are built to seek a comfort zone. This doesn’t necessarily mean a positive comfort zone, just simply any situation...
Divorce is never easy. It is hard to think about ending your marriage. Unfortunately, there are times when it is unavoidable. As we move into the new year, we all start to reexamine our lives. If you've been unhappy in your marriage it may be time to consider, “is the new year time for divorce?” Is Your Marriage Impacting Other Areas of Your Life We often...
While the vast majority of adoptions involve adults adopting children, all states have laws that permit “adult adoption,” in which a person 18 or older is adopted by another adult as mutually agreed by the parties. Some states may restrict adult adoptions to cases where the person being adopted is of diminished capacity. If the person being adopted is...