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?
The wide world of estate planning is much faster than most people realize. There are so many estate planning tools of which you might not even be aware but can accomplish important goals for you and your family. Thus, it is worth your time to learn about your options. Did you know, for instance, that…
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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…
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…
Continue reading…Should I Handwrite My Will?
A Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyer Explains Why You Should NOT Handwrite Your Will We’ve all heard the stories. A dying person writes out a will on a car bumper. Is such a will valid in Minnesota? Generally, a handwritten will – called holographic – is not valid here. What is a Valid Will? Under Minnesota…
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What is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive is an important part of an estate plan although it is much less discussed than other legal tools. There tends to be a focus on wills and other instruments that are used to distribute a person’s assets and property and advance directives do not do this. Instead, advance directives are critical parts…
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