Dividing a Pension
During a divorce, the spouses will have to split their assets and debts that were accumulated through the years. Minnesota is an equitable distribution state, which means that the marital assets and debts will be equitably distributed. The court will examine a list of factors in deciding who will receive how much of each asset. […]
Fighting Step-Parent Adoption
Divorce and separation is difficult for everyone, including the children. Adjusting to a new family situation can be challenging for children, as they typically thrive on stability and regularity. It is common for one or both parents to re-marry following a divorce, and that can help re-establish some of the structure for children. In the […]
Keeping Your Non-Marital Property Separate
Dividing property is an important element of any divorce. Minnesota is an “equitable distribution” state, which means that marital property is divided equitably between the spouses. An equitable distribution does not always mean an equal distribution, and the courts will examine a list of factors in determining which spouse receives which property. A key to […]
Understanding Ademption in Estate and Probate Law Procedures
Estate plans can include a variety of documents and instruments, depending on the particular needs of the estate and the person wanting the plan. Regardless of the complexity or simplicity of the estate, however, a last will and testament should be part of every estate plan. Your will allows you to direct how your assets […]
Estate Planning When Your Real Estate is Rental Property
There are many important components to a good estate plan, and each estate plan will be unique to the person and family. One universal component, however, is that the estate plan must take into account all of the assets and liabilities of the person making the plan. While the estate plan will obviously take into […]
What’s So Bad About Probate? Why Do I Want to Avoid It?
Probate is the legal system that is set up to allow personal representatives of an estate to officially prove a will or estate to the probate judge or administrator. Probate provides for the gathering of estate assets, payment of debts, and distribution to beneficiaries or heirs of the estate. When it works properly, it is […]
Financial Gifts and Estate Planning
Accruing sufficient wealth and financial stability to be able to share that with our friends and family is very rewarding. Making sure that our loved ones can enjoy the same lifestyle and financial strength as we can help them attain is a worthwhile pursuit and gratifying for everyone. Making these financial gifts, while fun, need […]
What If Someone Who Owes You Money Dies?
In the United States, consumer debt has topped four trillion dollars. Almost ten percent of Americans carry such significant credit card debt that they do not believe they will ever pay off their credit card debts completely. Moreover, credit card debt usually only represents a portion of the debt owed by American households, as most […]
Advantages of a Revocable Trust
When planning for your future, there are a variety of tools and instruments at your disposal to help ensure that you reach your goals. The most important goals are typically related to helping your family attain financial security. Estate planning can certainly assist with that goal. While estate planning can present several different options depending […]
Splitting a Blended Family
Blended families are very common in America, and Minnesota is no exception. Incorporating your new spouse into your family and watching your children make new bonds with your spouse can be rewarding and enriching. If your relationship ends, dividing your blended family is often extremely challenging. The change is especially challenging for the children. Where […]
