When clients request a Will, they’re often surprised to learn that they may need several more documents prepared for them if they’re seeking a comprehensive estate plan. While Wills are often the centerpiece of many people’s estate plans, others prefer to use one or more trust accounts to leave their wealth and belongings to others…
Category: Minnesota Guardianship
Minnesota Wills & Trusts | Newlyweds And Minnesota Estate Planning
If you have just gotten married or are about to, the last thing you likely want to contemplate is death. After all, such a happy time shouldn’t be marred by such unpleasant thoughts, right? Though no one enjoys thinking about end-of-life matters, like Minnesota estate planning, it’s much better to tackle some of these concerns early on…
Minnesota Wills and Trusts | Women and Estate-Planning
Though Minnesota estate planning seems like something that would affect everyone equally, and that’s certainly true, there are unique concerns faced by some women that warrant a quick discussion. A recent article by CBS MarketWatch explored some of these issues and we’ll go through some of the advice targeted specifically at women now. First things…
The Impact of Divorce On Minnesota Estate Planning
Everyone knows how confusing and emotionally exhausting divorce can be. Between custody disputes, paying lawyer bills and dividing your assets, it can be a lot for anyone to handle. Though the last thing you want to hear is the need to do even more work, the reality is that it’s important to take steps quickly…
Minnesota Estate Planning: Who To Tell About Your Estate Plan
If you’ve taken the important step of meeting with a Minnesota estate planning attorney you should be congratulated. It’s an important step that far too many people put off. But now that the plan is drafted and formally prepared, you may be wondering who you should tell, if anyone. There are two basic strategies that…
Minnesota Estate Planning Law: Guardianships In Minnesota
A few weeks back we discussed conservatorships in Minnesota and how they operate. Let’s now turn to a related subject: guardianships. As we mentioned, conservatorships exist when a person is unable to manage their financial affairs. Judges then appoint another person to make financial decisions for the protected person. So what’s a guardianship? Keep reading…
Minnesota Estate Planning Law: Minnesota Conservatorship
It can be a difficult day when you realize that a loved one is no longer able to independently manage his or her affairs. Though it can be hard, and is sometimes met with resistance, it’s often essential that family members take action to protect that person from him or herself. While guardianships exist to…
What Exactly Is A Codicil And How Does It Work In Minnesota?
Last week I brought you a post concerning making alterations to your estate plan. In that post, codicils to a Minnesota Will were discussed briefly. The following post will go a bit more in-depth on the subject of codicils, explaining what they are, when they can be useful and how you go about creating one….
Minnesota Health Care Directives: What are they and how do they work?
First things first, what exactly is a health care directive? In Minnesota, state law (Minnesota Statutes Section 145C.02) says that health care directives are legal documents that exist to let others know about your opinions regarding important health care matters. Health care directives are also important because they are used in much the same way…
Minnesota Guardianship Law | Do I need to have a guardianship?
From time to time I get questions from prospective or current client about whether they need to apply for a Minnesota guardianship over minor children or, at times, adults. For instance, below is a question that I recently answered regarding the necessity of applying for a Minnesota guardianship: I have two nieces that want to…