I receive a lot of calls from unmarried couples seeking advice on how to protect their family if something happens to one of them. Nontraditional family structures are the fastest-growing segment of our population. So, it is important you know how to protect your partner and kids if the unexpected occurs. Unmarried couples face unique…
Continue reading…Author: Chris Tymchuck
Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples, Protect Your Surviving Partner After Death
A Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney Explains Why Estate Planning is Crucial for Unmarried Couples Unmarried couples must take steps to protect each other in the event of a death. This means estate planning! It is very important for unmarried couples to have an estate plan in place. This is because, unlike married couples, no “default”…
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Estate Planning 101: Should You Get A Will or A Trust?
Deciding whether you need a will or a trust can be difficult. Both offer estate planning options, but which is right for you? In this post, I will discuss the benefits of each and help you decide which is best for your needs. The Case for Trusts A Trust Avoids Probate Trusts offer certain benefits…
Continue reading…Estate Planning 101: Why It Is Important For Young Families
A Trusts and Estate Lawyer Talks About the Need for an Estate Plan for Young Families Becoming a new parent is an amazing experience, but it can also be overwhelming. One of the things you need to think about as a new parent is estate planning. Estate planning may not be the most exciting thing…
Continue reading…Yes Your Rights Are in Jeopardy: Adopt Now!
A Minnesota Estate Planning and Adoption Attorney Urges Adoption! When Minnesota legalized same-sex marriage, I had numerous potential clients call and cancel appointments. When I asked why I received variations on the same response. “Now that we can legally marry, we don’t need [wills, adoptions].” My counterarguments to this are now irrelevant. What is relevant…
Continue reading…Is Obergefeld next? The SCOTUS Decision and Same-Sex Marriage Rights
A Minnesota Estate Planning and Adoption Lawyer Warns of Future Supreme Court Decisions The time for complacency is over. In 2015, the US Supreme Court’s upheld same-sex marriage rights in the Obergefell v. Hodges case. After the decision, many gay and lesbian clients told me they no longer needed to use a lawyer to protect…
Continue reading…Minnesota Probate Series, Part 3: What Type of Probate?
Minneapolis Probate Attorney Explains the Difference Between a Formal and Informal Probate You now know that you need to open a probate. But, what type of probate do you need to pursue? Minnesota has both an informal and formal process. What is the difference? The main difference is that a formal probate requires a hearing…
Continue reading…Minnesota Probate Series, Part 2: What Is Probate?
A Minnesota Probate Attorney Explains What It Means To Open A Probate If a loved one dies, you quickly learn your ability to handle the decedent’s assets is limited. Financial institutions will tell you to give them “letters” proving your authority to act. You obtain that authority by filing a petition with the Probate Court….
Continue reading…Minnesota Probate Series, Part 1: Do You Need a Probate?
A Minnesota Probate Lawyer Explains When A Probate is Necessary in Minnesota. I receive a lot of calls asking how to handle matters after someone dies. So, I am posting a series to assist you with handling things for someone who has died. The first step is to determine whether you need to open a…
Continue reading…What If You Die Without A Will?
A Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney Explains Why You Should Have a Will. You Have A Will It is a new year and you have decided 2022 is the year you will finally get your estate planning done. You keep putting it off, but your friends just did their wills. Now you worry you should also…
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