Will the New Minnesota Estate Tax Law Affect Me?
Unique Estate Law is not only what we do, it's who we are. Literally. And we know everyone’s estate planning needs are different, too. So, whether the recent changes in the Minnesota estate tax law...
View Article7 Secrets to Drafting a Successful Will.
Writing a Will is something everybody should do. With a Will, you can name a guardian for your minor children, decide who gets your assets, and appoint someone to sort out your estate. A properly...
View ArticleLiving Trusts Vs. Wills: Choosing the Right Estate Planning Tool
There many types of estate planning tools and each one offers benefits and drawbacks. Some tools work better to accomplish certain goals than others. In addition, some individuals or families may not...
View ArticleImportant Estate Planning Tips for Same-Sex Couples
Q: Is Your Marriage Still SafeIf you are confused about your same-sex marital status and rights, you are in good company. And if you aren’t, then maybe you should be. All those in a committed...
View ArticleRevising Your Estate Plan After a Divorce
Going through a divorce is a major life change. You likely have a lot on your mind—from property division to child custody. However, once the dust settles, you should also have updating your estate...
View ArticleThe Will Names You As A Minnesota Personal Representative (Executor), Now What?
A Minneapolis Probate Lawyer Helps You Understand the Responsibilities of Being a Personal Representative (Executor) for an EstateYou remember so clearly how proud you were when you received the...
View ArticleWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will?
A will sets out whom you would like to get your property when you pass away. It also appoints someone who will settle your estate on your behalf. While you can certainly plan your estate without a...
View ArticleWhy Second-Parent Adoption is Still Important for Same-Sex Couples
Should I adopt my child even if my name is on the birth certificate?The landmark Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodge recognized for the first time same-sex marriage at the state and federal...
View ArticleAssisting Your Aging Parents, Part I: Avoiding Guardianship and Conservatorships
Guardianships & Conservatorships and How to Avoid ThemIf a person becomes mentally or physically incapacitated to a point where they can no longer make rational decisions about their person or...
View ArticleWhy DIY Estate Planning is Usually a Bad Idea
Q: Should I hire an attorney to do my estate plan?With a law practice named Unique Estate Planning, what do you think the answer will be?Seriously though, trying to do your own Minnesota estate...
View ArticleMarriage is NOT ENOUGH. LGBT Rights Still Threatened Under the Current...
A Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyer Discusses the Newest Federal Policy Affecting the LGBT CommunityWhen the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage should be recognized across the US, the LGBT...
View ArticleMinnesota Guardianship - What Is a Court Visitor?
A Minnesota Guardianship Lawyer Explains the Role of a Court Visitor in Guardianship ProceedingsIn order to assist with understanding how this may work, let’s use a hypothetical.Your aging father has...
View ArticleWhen Heirs Cry: The Impact of Prince Dying Without a Will
Q: Do I need a will?Minnesota's unique estate law headline case of recent years --if not of all time --involves the administration of the estate of the late artist, Prince.For many, Prince was a living...
View ArticleWhat Are Federal and Minnesota Estate Taxes?
Estate taxes are essentially a tax on the transfer of your assets to others after you pass away. Anything that is left in your estate when you pass will be taxed. However, estate taxes only “kick in”...
View ArticleDying in Your Teens
Q: Does a teenager need an estate plan?Understandably, people don't like to think about their own death and they certainly don’t want to think of their child dying. Consequently, they may not see a...
View ArticleDigital Property and Minnesota Estate Planning
Q: What happens to my online assets upon my death?The cyberworld we live in requires unique estate planning.Truth be told, many of us have difficulty being separated our cell phones and tablets for...
View ArticleMaximizing Your Retirement Accounts for Your Beneficiaries
Q: How much of my retirement accounts will my heirs get to keep when I die?If you have a retirement account such as a 401(k) or an IRA, and you have designated a beneficiary for the account without...
View ArticlePet Trusts: Caring for Your Pet After You Pass
We love our pets as much as we love our family. Trusts can be set up to take care of our families after we die, but what about our pets? Until 2016, Minnesota had no laws allowing for this sort of...
View ArticleTransferring Real Estate After Death: What You Need to Know
Ensuring that your loved ones are cared for after you die is important. If your estate contains real estate, that property will likely be seen by your surviving loved ones as extremely valuable, so it...
View ArticleUpdating Your Estate Plans After a Divorce
If you are currently going through a divorce, or have recently gone through a divorce, you are likely focused on important topics like child custody, division of assets, and alimony. However, you...
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