• Name: Janelle A. Schrupp
• Employer: Schrupp Law, PLLC
• Position: Attorney
• Location: 7760 France Ave S., Suite 215, Edina, Minnesota
• Education: St. Olaf College, William Mitchell College of Law
How long have you been practicing?
Since October, 2008
What led you to practice in the area of estate planning?
I went to law school knowing that I wanted to do both estate planning and elder law. Growing up, I got to know an elder law and estate planning attorney and knew that’s what I wanted to do.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about estate planning?
The biggest misconception I’ve come across is, in general, what is probate. Unless a client has actually gone through probate as the personal representative for someone else’s estate, they don’t seem to really understand what it is. All they know is that they want to avoid it because it sounds scary.
What is your favorite aspect of helping individuals create their estate plan?
I enjoy teaching individuals about estate planning and the various options they have depending upon their own unique family dynamic.
When do you recommend that an individual start thinking about his or her estate plan?
An individual must start thinking about his or her estate plan as soon as he or she has children. It is so important to have guardians nominated and trusts set up for minor children. Setting up an estate plan becomes even more important if an individual has a child with special needs.
I also think it is extremely important for everyone, regardless of age, to do basic planning for incapacity by having a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive in place.
What is a best piece of advice that you share with clients as they think about their estate plan?
As difficult as it is to think about death, it is so important to plan for it and to get an estate plan in place. It is obvious the relief that a client feels after he or she signs their will because they know that everything has been properly taken care of.
Any interesting anecdotes?
Health Care Directives are one of the most important documents a person can have – you should make your own health care decisions today so that your family does not have to make them for you tomorrow.
