Creditor Claims in Minnesota Probate Estates Minnesotas probate statute attempts to clearly delineate the rules for the administration estates. The underlying purposes and policies of the probate statute are to simplify and clarify the law concerning the affairs of decedents, missing persons, protected persons, minors, and incapacitated persons, and to promote a speedy and efficient…
Elder Abuse and Minnesota Estate Planning
Elder Abuse Those who are in a position of caring for older and vulnerable adults provide a valuable and courageous service. There are many challenges in providing for vulnerable and partially handicapped adults in health care, financial items, and other matters. However, primary caretakers for vulnerable adults cannot do it all. Often times, they bring…
Minnesota Special Needs Trusts
Estate Planning, Pooled Trusts, and the Intersection of Federal and State Law Estate planning can take come in a variety of ways. For parents with children with disabilities, the special needs trust (SNT) is a unique estate planning device specifically tailored for beneficiaries with disabilities. The goal of this article is to examine SNTs, its…
Estate Planning for Minnesota Farmers
Farmers face unique estate planning issues separate from more traditional white-collar careers. The nature and value of assets in a farm presents different estate planning issues for hard working farmers. Because an orderly disposition of farm assets may take years, it is important for farmers to plan early for their retirement. Estate Planning For Minnesota…
Do I Need a Will? | Minnesota Estate Planning
Do I Need a Will? A will is a document that provides peace of mind to those seeking to have their assets distributed in an orderly fashion upon their death. Although Minnesota does not require individuals to have a will, consulting a knowledgeable attorney about drafting a will ensures that your assets will not be…
Taxes in Child Support & Alimony | Minnesota Divorce
During a Minnesota separation or divorce proceeding, a court must decide several issues of monetary nature. Maintenance agreements and child support are common and financially important agreements. Unbeknownst to some people, these court-ordered agreements come with tax implications. It is important for those in the midst of a divorce or separation proceeding understand baseline tax…
MN Estate Planning | Family Limited Partnerships
Family Limited Partnerships in Minnesota Family-run businesses are an excellent means for parents to leave a legacy for their children. Although simple in concept, passing a family run business down to children or grandchildren can present unexpected pitfalls. Increasingly, many small businesses are using business associations to accomplish estate-planning goals. Partnerships are a business entity…
Minnesota Estate Planning: How to Fund Grandchildren Attending College
Questions about Funding Grandchildren Attending College? Since undergraduate degrees usually help adults earn more throughout their lives, most young people still hope to attend college. However, financing this type of education often proves too expensive for many teens and their parents. Fortunately, many grandparents have decided to step into this financial void and help out….
Minnesota Wills and Trusts Reading Resources
Before first visiting your attorneys office, you may find it useful to do a bit of general reading about estate planning topics. Although arriving without any background knowledge is perfectly acceptable, it can help you come up with questions geared to your unique set of assets. In keeping with this idea, the American Bar Association…
How to Probate a Will in Minnesota
There are many important steps to probating a Will in Minnesota. Minnesota law governing the subject is codified under Minnesota Statute 524, the Minnesota Uniform Probate Code. The probate process is complicated. One of the first things that a new executor or personal representative should do is review and read the Will from beginning to…