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.
As a Minnesota estate lawyer, I often meet grandparents who want to provide financial support for their grandchildren while ensuring their generosity doesn't inadvertently create complications. Whether you're thinking about college funding or creating a lasting financial legacy, strategic planning can help maximize your gift's impact.Understanding the...
All too often, trust lawyers will meet families who've been targeted by aggressive marketing from what's known as a "trust mill." These clients usually come to us worried, clutching generic trust documents that aren't worth the paper they're printed on. While the low prices might have been attractive initially, they quickly discovered that cheap,...
You've carefully built your retirement savings over decades, but did you know that once inherited, these accounts could be vulnerable to creditors? As a Minnesota estate lawyer, I've seen too many families surprised when inherited retirement accounts they thought were protected ended up exposed to legal claims. The Supreme Court Changed EverythingIn...
Why a Special Needs Trust is Crucial for Your Child's Personal Injury Settlement: Insights from a Minnesota Trust LawyerWhen a child with disabilities receives a personal injury settlement, parents often face a crucial decision: how to manage these funds without jeopardizing essential government benefits. Minnesota trust lawyers have helped many families...
As a grandparent, you've probably spent countless hours doting on your grandchildren, showering them with love, and creating precious memories. But have you considered how you can continue to support and protect them long after you're gone? As a Minnesota estate planning lawyer, I've seen firsthand how grandparents can play a crucial role in securing their...
Picture this: You're scrolling through social media when an ad pops up. "AI Can Write Your Will in Minutes!" it proclaims. You think, "Perfect! If AI can pass the bar exam, surely it can handle my simple will, right?"Not so fast, my tech-savvy friend.As a Minnesota will lawyer, I've seen my share of DIY disasters, but AI-generated legal documents are...
Owning a piece of undeveloped land can be an exciting investment, full of potential and possibilities. However, when it comes to including this asset in your estate plan, there are unique considerations to keep in mind. As a Minnesota estate lawyer, I often work with clients to ensure their raw land is properly addressed in their estate planning documents....
The death of a loved one is always difficult, but it can be even harder if you must go through probate in Minnesota. Probate can be long and expensive, and it can take away from the time you may need to grieve. In this blog post, we will discuss how to avoid probate after the loss of a loved one. We will cover some of the most common methods of avoiding...
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I love my children, but when it comes to my future care, they'll probably end up in a battle royale"? You're not alone. As a Minnesota elder lawyer, I've seen countless families grapple with this exact concern. It's the elephant in the room that many of us dread addressing: what happens when our adult children can't...
As a rule of thumb, no one else is obligated to pay the debt of a person who has died. So, in general, you will not be responsible to pay off your deceased spouse's debts. However, there are some exceptions that vary from state to state: If you co-sign on a loan, then you now owe the debt.If you are a joint account holder of a credit card owned by the...
As parents we often find ourselves lost in thought about their future. We picture a world where they're safe, happy, and well-cared for, even when we're no longer around to guide them. This is especially true for parents of children with special needs who will rely on their parents' support well into adulthood. Unfortunately there's a hard truth that many...
Finding love later in life is a beautiful thing. But sometimes, the realities of life and past decisions can throw a wrench into the fairy tale. A common scenario I encounter as a Minnesota estate lawyer involves couples where one spouse moves into a home owned by the other's adult children.It's a situation that often arises from a well-intentioned...