Stand-by Custodial Document for Minnesota Parents – Anticipating the Unexpected Event

I last posted information on Minnesota’s statute that allows a parent to delegate his or her rights to a non-parent third party by a form called Minnesota Delegation of Parental Powers.  ( Blog Post 5/2/2014). Minnesota’s Stand-by Custodial appointment statute is useful for all parents as well.   The Stand-by Custodian appointment allows a parent […]

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Estate Planning in Minnesota and Your Digital Inventory-Make it Easy for Your Heirs

I originally posted this blog in August 2013.  Readers appreciated the information and asked for a re-blog.  The post relates to how you can plan to terminate your digital life after  you go to the great beyond.   I confess that I never much thought about my digital afterlife until I researched and wrote this article.  […]

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, Family Lawyer and “Small Town Lawyer” Benefits for Clients

I read an article the other day from the American Bar Association that says that just over 50% of the lawyers in the U.S. are practitioners. I like the sound of that statistic. Solos have the freedom to take on the cases that are closest to their hearts without the constrictions of accountability for billable […]

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Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage and Minnesota Family Law

 Marriage is gender neutral in Minnesota as of August 1, 2013.  There is little doubt that Minnesota Statutes applicable to family law matters  will impact same-sex marriages. There are primary issues in any divorce that include:  division of martial assets and debts; spousal maintenance; custody and parenting time issues; and, child support. Assets accumulated before marriage are non-marital.  Assets accumulated […]

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Wills and Trusts in Minnesota-A Blueprint Primer of How Wealth is Passed Down to Your Heirs

Making sure that your children or other heirs inherit what you have worked for all your life is of paramount concern for most folks.  Grandparents work hard to ensure security for their children and their children work hard to ensure security for their children and so on down the generations. How Does Generational Wealth Pass Down […]

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You Get What You Pay for in an Estate Plan -Why Risk Doing it the Wrong Way?

I am of the opinion that estate planning documents are probably the most important and critical documents that you will ever prepare. Why? Because if Wills, Powers of Attorney, or Transfers or Trusts are not in compliance with every aspect of the law, then you run the risk of having your last wishes on this earth […]

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How to Give the Kids Your Home and Still Protect Yourself- Minnesota’s Transfer on Death Deed

Minnesota has a nifty estate planning document that allows the owner of real property to name the person or persons to receive the property upon the owner’s death. The document is the Minnesota Transfer on Death Dead or TODD.    MN Statute Section 507.071 The owner ( grantor) names the beneficiary ( grantee or grantees) in the TODD.  […]

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Advanced Healthcare Directives and “The Descendants”

If you don’t think that you need a Healthcare Directive, then go see the new Clooney move “The Descendants”.   A properly drafted and signed Healthcare Directive allows an agent of your choice to tell your doctor and any healthcare facility what your wishes are in the event you are incapacitated and unable to make your own healthcare decisions.  You […]

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Online Conservatorship Reporting System for Minnesota is First in the Nation

Minnesota conservators who make financial decisions for protected adults unable to make decisions now have an online reporting system. Conservators may  file his or her required annual or final detailed accounting and financial report to the Court online.  The old handwritten many paged report will no longer be necessary. The online reporting system is convenient and reduces paperwork for […]

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