A Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) allows the owner of real estate to execute a deed that names the beneficiary who will succeed to ownership of the real estate at the owner’s death. A TODD can be a useful estate planning tool because it allows the transfer of real property without the need of probate […]
Most people that are nominated as a Personal Representative of a decedent’s estate do not know the duties – or the amount of time – that come along with the nomination. In short, the main responsibility of the Personal Representative is to take possession of and manage, protect and preserve the assets of the decedent. […]
Employer: Law Office of Sarah Gohl Isabel Position: Attorney Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Education: JD & LLM, Duke University; BA, Eureka College Questions How long have you been practicing? I am entering into my tenth year of practice. This is my first year of solo practice. I previously worked for two large law firms in Atlanta, Georgia. When […]
Death may be universal, but how it has been handled varies significantly from culture to culture. Below is a very small sampling: Ancient Egypt Funerals, or the rituals surrounding death, were at the heart of public life in ancient Egypt. The pyramids, Valley of the Kings, and King Tut’s tomb are all evidence of the […]
As many of you Epilawg readers know, we provide a free Health Care Directive form on this site for Minnesota residents. We’ve heard from some of you that you’re (pleasantly) surprised about the form. Many believe that you need an attorney to complete a Health Care Directive in Minnesota, which is not true. An attorney […]
Informal Probate In Minnesota, an informal probate proceeding is relatively straightforward and simple, as compared to Formal Probate. Informal Probate can be used for both testate and intestate estates. Informal commencement of a decedent’s estate is made by Application to a probate registrar, not a judge. Since there is no formal hearing, it is important that […]
For those that wish to be buried as opposed to cremated, take note that there are many options available for your burial, at least if you want to be buried in Minnesota. Minnesota statutes do not require an embalming procedure, a casket, or any type of outside burial container. Instead, cemeteries make their own regulations. So […]
Powers of Attorney are quickly becoming a very useful estate planning tool. People are living longer, so there is greater likelihood that persons will need assistance managing their affairs due to some sort of disability or incapacity. A Power of Attorney is useful because it allows a person (the principal) to select an agent (their attorney-in-fact) to […]
It is a fact of life that not every marriage will last until the death of either spouse. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of divorce on inheritance. Commencement of Divorce Proceedings In Minnesota, many believe that simply the commencement of a divorce will revoke any disposition to a soon-to-be-ex-spouse. This is not […]
When I flip through Entertainment Weekly, I don’t typically see any topics related to estate planning. However, in this past week’s edition, a very short write-up on a new television series caught my eye: The Will: Family Secrets Revealed?! The cable channel, Investigation Discovery, is premiering this eight-week series beginning today, Wednesday, November 3rd at 8pm (CST). […]
So often clients come to us for help with an estate plan, convinced that a living trust is necessary because they have heard that it is the ideal tool to assure avoidance of a ‘dreaded’ probate proceeding. Many believe that probate is expensive, time-consuming and overwhelming. Therefore, a living trust, coupled with a pour-over will, […]