Flanders Law Firm LLC wanted to thank all of its clients and people we have worked with in 2014. We realize that, without our clients and support, we would not be able make it. Thank you very much and please have a safe holiday travel season! I hope all of you are looking forward to…
Minnesota Estate Planning | Tips To Avoid Spinning In Your Grave Like James Brown
Though James Brown is known for hits like “I Feel Good,” the mess that has enveloped his estate would likely not be described in such glowing terms. Since his death nearly eight years ago, the crooner’s estate has been embroiled in a near-constant battle with heirs over the otherwise clear wishes of Brown. The New…
Minnesota Probate Law | Watch out for burglars of your loved one’s home
I wanted to share this tidbit of information from a poster on a popular website regarding burglars, funerals, and Minnesota probate estates. This is an important lesson to keep in mind for heirs, executors, and personal representatives of probate estates: We at the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office want to remind you to be mindful when posting information…
Minnesota Probate Law | Homestead, Real Estate, and Property
Many people have multiple homes, townhouses, condos, or other land which are referred to under Minnesota law as “real property”. When someone passes-away and the title to the real property or real estate is in their name, a court must appoint a personal representative or executor to administer their loved-one’s estate. Often, the personal representative…
IRS Announces Rise In Estate Tax Exemption
Though it’s rare to hear good news out of the Internal Revenue Service, for those worried about the potential pain of estate tax, a recent announcement may just qualify. That’s because the IRS revealed earlier this month that the estate tax exemption amount would climb in 2015. To find out more about the estate tax…
Minnesota Probates & Medical Assistance
In every new Minnesota probate administration consult I do, I ask clients whether their loved one received or has applied for medical assistance. Why? Because medical assistance issues often come up in a probate or estate administrations. When people receive state-funded money for payment of hospice care, hospital stays, and long-term care, etc., during their life, the…
Minnesota Wills & Trusts: How Can Moving Impact Your Estate Plan?
Today it’s increasingly common as families grow and change to relocate geographically once or even several times over the course of a lifetime. Jobs, marriage, divorce, grandchildren, retirement, health issues and many other factors can result in moves that present potential estate planning issues. Why does a move matter? You may be confused at this…
Joan Rivers’ Estate Plan Revealed | Minnesota Wills & Trusts
It’s been a bad year in terms of celebrity deaths and estate planning mistakes, with several famous actors and musicians passing away. Though sad for family members and fans, it has been a good year for nosey readers curious about the private financial status of these famous individuals. From Robin Williams to Phillip Seymour Hoffman,…
What is probate?
As an estate planning lawyer, I have been asked “what is probate” on more than one occasion. I’ve also tried to answer that question on this blog. Probate is the process by which the instructions contained in a person’s Will are administered in the court system. It is not something to be scared of. It is…
The Complete Beginners Guide to Medical Assistance and Probate in Minnesota
The title of this post may be a little misleading. I apologize. This article highlights some very basic things about medical assistance as it relates to probate in Minnesota. The law firm plans on making a series of posts about this medical assistance in Minnesota. Covering the entire subject in one article would be very difficult…