We’re big fans of Downton Abbey (as is the rest of the world). Previously, we have covered the inheritance lessons learned during the first season of Downtown Abbey. This past Sunday evening, Season 4 premiered on PBS. The framework of the episode centered around an estate planning issue: what makes for a valid Will? I […]
December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966 It has been forty-seven years since Walt Disney passed away. The mastermind of the Disney empire, bringing you the lovable characters of Mickey Mouse, Snow White and more, passed away of lung cancer before he could see the completion of the famous Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. […]
This post is mainly intended for Minnesota probate attorneys, however, we hope that all readers learn from it. The day of the electronic court record has come to Minnesota. Unfortunately, the path to e-filing feels like the road less traveled. The revolutionary movement of the state court’s transition to e-filing has come with its challenges. […]
May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963 Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. For the past few weeks, news outlets have been recounting the events surrounding November 22, 1963 and the aftermath of that day. The death of JFK wasn’t the first tragedy that the Kennedy family had suffered […]
February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978 Norman Rockwell is an American artist, whose works of art often portrayed a certain innocence regardless of the subject of the paintings. Rockwell was born in New York City and began his career as an illustrator. He painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post when he […]
November 22, 1912 – October 28, 1993 Doris Duke was the sole child of the tobacco tycoon, James Buchanan (“Buck”) Duke, and inherited a large portion of his estate upon in his death in 1925. While it is not exact, Ms. Duke inherited tens of millions of dollars in trust. On her 21st birthday, she […]
The new insurance marketplaces, including MNsure, are set to open today for enrollment (although the latest news is that the exchange will not go live until later this afternoon). Coverage is set to begin on January 1, 2014. These new insurance marketplaces are the cornerstones of the Affordable Care Act. They are to provide a […]
February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955 James Dean was an American actor who had a very short career but who left a surprisingly lasting legacy. James Dean died at the young age of 24 in a car crash. He is best known for his role in Rebel Without a Cause, but his performances in […]
According to the IRS, same-sex couples who were legally married in a jurisdiction recognizing their marriage will be treated as a married couple for federal tax purposes, regardless of where they currently reside. Revenue Ruling 2013-17 reassures “legally married same-sex couples that they can move freely throughout the country knowing that their federal filing status […]
December 21, 1959 – September 21, 1998 Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, passed away fifteen years ago today at the young age of 38. Griffith Joyner was an American track and field star, who most notably won three gold medals and a silver medal in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South […]
Huguette Clark’s estate litigation reaffirms some lessons that we already know. Primarily, caretakers and advisors must take precaution when conflicts of interest arise, namely when they receive more benefits from a client than they would otherwise receive for their services. We all know that, as advisors, we should take extra steps to ensure that the […]