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.
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...
Minnesota elder law attorneys know that making the decision to move an elderly loved one into an assisted living facility is never easy. However, when your elderly parent or grandparent is struggling with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the situation can be particularly challenging. Challenges of Moving with Dementia For those with dementia, being...
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...
Due to advances in medical technology, more Americans are living longer. In many ways, this is great news. However, this situation has brought about some significant challenges that all aging people now have to face. One of the most pressing concerns is the rising cost of long-term care. Understanding how to cope with the increase of this financial burden...
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...
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...
When most of us think about retirement, we have visions of days spent relaxing, doing some traveling, getting around to those hobbies we never had time for when we were busy working and raising a family. Unfortunately, Minnesota estate planning attorneys know that what are supposed to be considered the "golden years" are often filled with stress, health...
When a child with special needs turns 18, he or she becomes an adult in the eyes of the law. However, if the child’s disability prevents him or her from making adult decisions and being able to manage his or her affairs, the parents will need to petition the local court for legal guardianship over their now-adult child. Here is some important information...
Elder care lawyers in Monticello work with families to prepare for any number of situations in the estate planning process. One circumstance that is especially relevant to elder care law is dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are almost exclusively conditions which appear late in life. Along with the emotional turmoil on the patient...