Have you ever heard of the federal estate tax? For those estates that fall over the federal estate tax exemption amount, the excess can be taxed at a rate upwards of 40%. The current exemption amount sits just about $12 million and is set to drop by around 50% in 2025, depending on what politicians…
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…
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Choosing the Right Trustee
A Minnesota Estate And Trusts Lawyer Explains How to Choose a Trustee for Your Trust. You might be wondering how to select a trustee if you’re thinking about establishing a trust or have already done so. It’s critical to pick someone you can trust to handle the assets in your trust. What Is A Trustee?…
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Unique Estate Plan Considerations for Single Parents
Single parents, especially when there is no other parent in the picture, are the carriers of so much responsibility. As the sole financial provider and caregiver to their child, much rests on their shoulders. When you are the only source of financial support and caregiving to your child, planning for the future not only means…
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…
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How Do You Plan for Incapacitation?
Some may not know this, but did you know that a large part of a comprehensive, strong estate plan should include planning for incapacitation? While the prospect of ever being in a position where you are unable to communicate your own preferences on things such as health care or being unable to manage your own…
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What Differentiates a Will From a Living Trust?
If something unexpected happened tomorrow, would your loved ones know how to manage your estate or access your assets? That’s a question many people don’t ask until it’s too late. Both wills and living trusts can ensure your wishes are honored, but they work in very different ways. The biggest distinctions come down to timing,…
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Idaho Supreme Court Rules in Same-Sex Couple Parental Rights Case
Recently, the Supreme Court of Idaho issued an important decision in the case of Gatsby v. Gatsby which highlights the importance of properly executed legal agreements. The temptation to use general, template legal agreements that you can purchase or find online for free may be strong, but legal documents need to be properly drafted and…
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