People often wonder: Should you put a trusted family member in charge of your trust, or is a corporate trustee a safer choice? The short answer is that a corporate trustee often provides stronger long-term oversight, while an individual trustee may offer more personal insight. The right fit depends on the complexity of your trust…
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How Do You Remove Someone from a Trust?
Can you remove a beneficiary from a trust once it’s created? In many cases, you can, but the process depends on the trust’s terms, whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable, and the level of consent required from other parties. This blog explains how beneficiaries can be removed, when trustee or court approval is needed,…
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Does a Personal Representative of an Estate Get Paid?
Have you ever been asked to serve as the Personal Representative (commonly referred to as an executor) of someone’s estate? You may wonder: Is this a volunteer role, or do you get compensated for the time and effort involved? The truth is, acting as a Personal Representative is a significant responsibility. You may be tasked…
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9 Reasons Young People Should Write a Last Will and Testament
When you hear the phrase “last will and testament,” do you picture someone older, with decades of life and assets behind them? If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you might assume that estate planning doesn’t apply to you. But ask yourself this: if something unexpected happened, who would make decisions about your belongings, your…
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Ethical Considerations When Contesting a Will
It’s not easy to question someone’s final wishes. But sometimes, concerns arise that can’t be ignored. Maybe a will was changed under pressure. Maybe a loved one’s mental decline was overlooked. If you’re facing this kind of situation, you may wonder whether contesting the will is the right thing to do. If something doesn’t seem…
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How to Transfer Guardianship From One Person to Another
What if the person you chose to care for your child can’t do it anymore? Life changes—people move, become ill, or face new challenges that make it hard to continue in a caregiving role. While choosing a guardian is one of the most thoughtful steps a parent or caregiver can take, it doesn’t mean the…
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Prenuptial Agreements and Estate Planning: How They Work Together
Getting married means planning for more than just the big day. If you’re considering a prenuptial agreement, have you considered how a prenuptial agreement might shape what happens if one of you passes away? Prenuptial agreements are often viewed as divorce planning tools, but they also play a significant role in shaping how your estate…
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How LGBTQ+ Families Can Protect Their Loved Ones with Estate Planning
If (when) federal recognition of gay marriage is overturned, LGBTQ+ families will face new challenges in protecting loved ones and their assets. But there are ways to plan ahead and make sure your family is cared for, no matter what happens to marriage laws. Here’s what you need to know in simple terms: Why Estate…
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Protecting Heirs from Elder Financial Abuse: Preventive Estate Planning
What if the biggest threat to your family’s inheritance isn’t a legal dispute but financial abuse by someone they know and trust? Sadly, elder financial exploitation is far more common than most people realize, and it often goes unnoticed until serious damage has been done. At Unique Estate Law, we believe that estate planning isn’t…
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Understanding Minnesota’s Elective Share Law for Surviving Spouses
Did you know that in Minnesota, your spouse may still have a legal right to a portion of your estate, even if your will says otherwise? This right is known as the elective share, and it serves as a safeguard built into state law to protect surviving spouses from being disinherited. Whether you’re creating an…
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