I wrote the book on Minnesota probate.
If you are like most people, you are putting more of your digital life on the internet. You put memorable family pictures on Facebook or other social media. Your on-line banking and tax records are very likely saved on your computer. You scan important documents and...
A Minnesota man made headlines when he faked his own death for the life insurance payment. Law enforcement arrested him abroad and brought him back to the United States to stand trial. While scams like this tend to make headlines, most people use their life insurance...
A testator is a person who signs a Will for the distribution of his or her property after death. Typically the testator will nominate someone to be the executor or personal representative of the estate. This person is a "fiduciary" which means that person is handling...
When it comes to estate planning in Bloomington, the things you overlook could cause your heirs grief and turmoil. Most people make their estate plans with the best intentions in mind for their heirs. If you are going over your estate plans, it is important for you to...
Halloween is a holiday that features the weird and wacky. But all the Halloween "Trick or Treat" pranks cannot equal the bizarre actions of our elected legislators. Here is a sampling of the Ten Most Absurd Laws by some of our elected representatives. In true David...
It is normal for families to squabble and fight, but rivalries and grudges may come to an all-time high when inheritance enters the picture. No matter how kind and respectful your family members are, you should prepare your estate properly to avoid arguments...
Probate is the process by which the courts establish the validity of a will in order to administer and distribute the assets of a deceased person. It is also the process by which the court handles asset distribution and settling the estate if the deceased person...
If you have not updated your Minnesota estate plan since the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect on January 1 of this year, you may wish to do so. One of the TCJA’s major provisions is the doubling of the federal estate tax exemption which increased...
It is never too early to create an estate plan. These documents need to include durable powers of attorney along with healthcare directives. You also need to make sure you update your will regularly as your life changes. Once you have an estate plan...
As the adult child of elderly parents, you had likely been aware for some time that one or both of your parents are nearing the end of their lives. However, the impact of a parent's death is never something that one can fully be ready for or expect, regardless of...