The question of what happens to a person’s digital property after death is a hot topic these days. Many online service providers are currently grappling with this issue, including Facebook, Google, Yahoo, and the list goes on.
In re Stisser Grantor Trust & the Implications for Revocable Trust Language
Emma Maddy
April 16, 2013
April 16, 2013
Statutory Presumptions Minnesota statutes provide a set of default interpretations for some of the language used in Minnesota wills.1 Unless a will includes language to the contrary, these statutes provide interpretations for things such as what property can be passed via will, what happens when a beneficiary dies before the testator, how and when gifts might […]
Successor Attorney-in-Fact
Jayne Sykora
April 11, 2013
April 11, 2013
One goal of estate planning is to plan for the unforeseen. To do this, in most estate planning documents, a successor is typically named for each primary role. That way, if the primary person(s) that have been nominated in a given role become unavailable or unwilling to act in the role assigned, the successor can […]
Do I need a Trust?
Maggie Green
April 9, 2013
April 9, 2013
I field this question every day. My response is always the same, it depends. So, when should someone consider a Trust-based estate plan*? Well, here are a few things to consider: Do you own property in another state? If so, a trust may be a good way to prevent the need for multiple probate proceedings. […]
Henry Ford
Jennifer Santini
April 7, 2013
April 7, 2013
July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947 Henry Ford was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and the person responsible for developing and manufacturing the first affordable automobile available to middle class Americans. He was born in Dearborn, Michigan and had an early interest in the mechanics of how things worked. It is said […]
“But I just have a quick question?”
Jennifer Santini
April 4, 2013
April 4, 2013
We know it can be frustrating when you contact an attorney for the first time and you just have a quick legal question that you think can, and should, be answered rather easily. The attorney then replies, “We need to schedule an for you to come in to discuss the matter.” You really want to […]
Portability Revisited
Jamie Held
April 3, 2013
April 3, 2013
Portability is a feature of the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act passed earlier this year. It came as a welcome relief to many but there is still much confusion and skepticism surrounding this concept.
Brandon Bruce Lee
Jennifer Santini
March 31, 2013
March 31, 2013
February 1, 1965 – March 31, 1993 Twenty years ago today, Brandon Lee tragically died at the young age of 28 from a gunshot wound while filming the movie The Crow. He was shot accidentally by a prop gun being used on set, which had a bullet lodged in the chamber. Lee was the son […]
The Basics of Organ Donation
Erin Hoolihan
March 28, 2013
March 28, 2013
Many of us come across the thought of organ donation for the first time when we apply for a driver’s license. Usually at that young age, it is a topic difficult to consider and oftentimes disregarded. As we age we begin to consider the opportunity each one of us has to save another’s life with […]
Taking the “Maybe’s” and “What If’s” out of life insurance planning…
Bob Cohen
March 25, 2013
March 25, 2013
Did you know that well over half (up to 80% according to some sources) of all life insurance policies issued, lapse prior to the insured’s death? Most policies are designed, purchased, placed and funded with the expectation that at death (an unknown time), the life insurance proceeds (a known amount) would be paid to a […]
a tax for more snow birds?
Maggie Green
March 21, 2013
March 21, 2013
Governor Dayton recently proposed a budget that, among other things, may broaden the “snow bird” tax base. While those affected by the proposed legislation are most likely wealthy people who have second homes in warmer climates, the law would affect any individual who owns Minnesota real estate and spends more than 60 days in Minnesota […]