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.
Creating a comprehensive estate plan can protect your interests and your family’s future. When you work hard to earn a living and obtain assets, it’s natural to want to pass them down to your children or dependents when you pass away. Unfortunately, many people don't understand how to keep their business and property intact when the unexpected happens....
Estate planning covers more than death and taxes; for many people, it’s about maintaining their “voice” and clearly outlining their wishes in the event of incapacity or disability in Minnesota. Far too many people assume that their loved ones know their wishes and are prepared to honor them if a medical crisis strikes. Unfortunately, tragic accidents or...
Estate planning is an emotionally challenging task at every step of the process. Whether you are writing your own will, helping an older relative plan their estate, or serving as the Personal Representative or executor of the estate of a deceased loved one, you must deal with all the feelings you have about your own death or that of someone close to you....
Estate planning isn't just for older people, couples with children, or individuals with a lot of financial wealth. Single people, young adults, and those with a modest income can also benefit from estate planning. As a Minnesota will and trust lawyer, I believe there are five essential items that should be considered by every adult, regardless of their...
Have you ever wondered what is the worst that can happen if you become incapacitated or pass away without an estate plan in place? If you have, you’re not alone. This is actually a common question our clients ask us, especially from those in close-knit families who believe that their kids (or other loved ones), can just automatically step in and peacefully...
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. For the uninitiated, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security, making it difficult to counterfeit. One of the main reasons why people and investors like...
Picture this – you get an opportunity to spend some alone time with your spouse. What do you do to prepare for date night? You carefully select a babysitter. Then, you write detailed instructions; when to feed the baby, how often to change diapers, what snacks are allowed…and you leave a myriad of contact information including your cell phone numbers, the...
In the early part of 2022, many young families spent a lot of time watching Disney’s award-winning animated film Encanto. Repeatedly. While the movie is obviously a great source of entertainment for kids, estate planning attorneys have also noticed that it contains a lot of valuable lessons that can help people prepare for their family’s future. Treat Each...
According to research, 69% of adults ages 50-64 are on social media regularly, and 50% of adults older than 65 are on some form of social media as well. However, in my experience as a Minnesota estate planning lawyer, I’ve found that most people do not have a plan for what should happen to their growing portfolio of “digital assets” when they are gone....
It is no secret that being a single parent is challenging. In addition to the day-to-day struggles of raising children on your own, you may also have concerns about what the future might hold for your kids if anything were to happen to you. While estate planning for single parents is similar to estate planning for two-parent families, there are certain...
Decluttering is hard. It can be difficult to say goodbye to the things we own. Older adults might have an even harder time doing so because many of their possessions may hold decades of meaning or sentimental value, and the thought of parting with these mementos can bring up a lot of unexpected emotions. At some point, however, it will become necessary to...
Do you have minor children? If so, have you considered choosing a legal guardian who you would want to raise your kids if you and/or their other parent suddenly passed away? While you may have a few thoughts in your mind about who would be best suited for the role (grandparents, aunts, uncles), if you don’t legally document your choices, a judge will...