» Estate Planning

Wills versus Trusts: Understanding the Key Differences and Deciding Which One is Right for You

Deciding between creating a will or setting up a trust is confusing. However, farmers, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals need to plan ahead and make sure their assets are distributed according to their wishes after they pass away. But h… Read More
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Does Power of Attorney Terminate at Death?

When it comes to estate planning, it’s important to consider who will make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to act as your agent and make decisions f… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

The Death of Raquel Welch – An Estate Plan Done Correctly

Raquel Welch, whose acting career spanned five decades, passed away in February at the age of eighty-two. Welch appeared in more than thirty films and fifty television series, won a Golden Globe Award, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ho… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Probate

What Happens to Elvis's Legacy Now?

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died in 1977. Like most celebrities of his stature, he left behind a complicated legacy—and a considerable estate. Elvis’s estate, including Graceland, ended up in the hands of his only child, Lisa Marie… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Probate

Minnesota Enacts Digital Wills Law, Modernizing State Law

Introduction Beginning on August 1, 2023, Minnesota will become one of seven other states to allow wills to be completed electronically rather than in writing. Digital execution of a will coupled with the fact that witnessing and notarization of the… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, News

Three Things You Need to Do When Your Spouse Dies and Their Will or Trust Has a Disclaimer Provision

Losing your spouse is one of the most difficult things you might face in life. Although it is important to take time to grieve, there are also some crucial steps you need to take as soon as possible to address your spouse’s accounts and property an… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning
Legal Perils of Gifts and…

Legal Perils of Gifts and Joint Ownership between Unmarried Couples

Cohabitation without marriage is becoming more common in the United States. Among eighteen- to forty-four-year-olds, the percentage of adults who have lived with an unmarried partner at some point is now higher than the percentage of adults who have… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

How to Find Minnesota Probate Court Records Online

As estate planning attorneys, we frequently receive requests from heirs and family members for copies of probate documents or a deceased person’s will. Sometimes people seek probate records to determine if a probate process has been initiated.… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, Probate
Estate Planning Issues fo…

Estate Planning Issues for the Modern Family

As the name suggests, ABC’s TV show Modern Family depicts the relationships and experiences between a fictional extended family. Throughout the course of the series, the show addresses many issues that families deal with each day. For a close-knit… Read More
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How Much Can You Gift Bef…

How Much Can You Gift Before Paying Tax?

In the United States, gift taxes are imposed in some states and at the federal level. As of 2023, Minnesota does not have a gift tax. Minnesota does, however, have a three year lookback for taxable gifts. So, what are taxable gifts? Taxable Gifts Any… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning, News