In the prior posts I’ve discussed steps you can take to help gain some control in this chaotic time of the global pandemic caused by coronavirus / COVID 19 stress. As a brief recap, make sure you, and your loved ones, have the following: A properly executed Minnesota Health Care Directive A signed financial Power…
Continue reading…Coronavirus / COVID 19: Your Family Needs a Plan, Part 2
As the news about the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus / COVID 19 becomes increasingly scary and stressful, many of us are looking for ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We all need to feel we have some control as things get more chaotic and uncontrollable. So, take control of the things…
Continue reading…Coronavirus / COVID 19: Your Family Needs a Plan, Part 1
A Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney Explains that Estate Planning is Always Important: Not Just During Global Scares Coronavirus /COVID 19 News is Everywhere You can’t open any news course, or social media platform, without being inundated with news, rumors, pictures or stories about coronavirus. In fact, I’ve had several clients reach out to me to…
Continue reading…How Could the SECURE Act Impact Your Retirement?
The new year brought new laws. One major piece of legislation that went into effect on January 1st is the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act, also referred to as the SECURE Act. With people living longer, more and more people are found in the difficult position of outliving their retirement savings. The SECURE…
Continue reading…What to Consider When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children?
Grappling with the thought that you might not be there to raise your children can be one of the most difficult and important things for you to process. The selection of a guardian for your children will help ensure that you trust the person who will care for your children and know that they will…
Continue reading…What Is the SECURE Act?
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed a major piece of legislation called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Act (SECURE Act). The bipartisan bill became effective on January 1, 2020, and its goal is to help Americans with something they have long struggled with, the ability to save for retirement. The SECURE Act…
Continue reading…Elder Care Mediation Series, Part 2: An Example
A Certified Elder Care Mediation Specialist Explains Why Mediation Can Help Families in Dealing with An Parent in Need of Elder Care Growing up siblings, Abby, Bonnie and Carolyn Olsen, were always close, but after their father died unexpectedly they found their relationship strained. They did not know what to do for their 80-year-old mother,…
Continue reading…Elder Care Mediation Series, Part 1: What Is It?
A Guardianship and Elder Care Mediator Contested guardianship cases, like contested divorces, are often lose-lose encounters. Though someone will eventually emerge the “winner” by judicial decree, the emotional and financial cost to both sides often renders it a Phyrric victory. The battle only deepens the wounds which kindled the contest, and there is even less…
Continue reading…GUARDIANSHIP SERIES, PART I: WHAT IS A GUARDIANSHIP?
A Minnesota Guardianship Attorney Explains What It Means to be a Guardian. It’s that time of year when family is back together, maybe for the first time in months or years. In spending time with your Dad, you make the heart-wrenching discovery that he has become incapable of caring for himself. Perhaps he has difficulty…
Continue reading…Impact of Court Challenge of Minnesota Trust Taxation
Challenges to Minnesota’s trust taxation have weaved their way through the court system. Those who incurred tax liability on trusts fought the taxation and won. After appeals affirmed lower court decisions, the issue was finally submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to rule on the issue, which made the Minnesota…
Continue reading…