Our pets are part of our family. But have you taken steps to care for your pet after you have passed? There are essentially two ways to do so in estate planning. First, you can assign the next caretaker of your pet in a will. You can even leave the caretaker of your will a lump sum of money to help offset the costs of caring for your pet.
Read MoreIn todays video we tackle Part 2 of our two part series, Bases for Challenging a Will.
Read MoreIn today's video we start our discussion of challenging a will. In order to do so, of course, you need a legal basis. In Part I of this two part series, we look at the statutory bases for challenging a will.
Read MoreAncillary Probate is a secondary (or more) probate that takes place in another jurisdiction. In today's video we discuss ancillary probate – what it is and how to avoid it.
Read MoreIt's a trick question really – how much money do you need to have to make a will. The real question is what are you trying to do. In today's video we discuss some of the reasons you may have for planning your estate, as well as some reasons you may not need to.
Read MoreHaving and storing your estate planning documents in the right place is important. However, some of the documents are best served when they have been distributed to certain people. In today's video we discuss which documents should – and shouldn't – be distributed, and to whom.
Read MoreNow that you have your estate planning documents, where is it that you should store them? In today's video we discuss the common places – good and bad – that people store their estate planning documents.
Read MoreEstate planning is not all about assets, taxes, and Medicaid. There is a personal side to estate planning as well. In today's video we talk about the “Letters of the Estate”, an unofficial estate planning document that allows you to bring that personal touch to your plan.
Read MoreIn today's video we tackle one of the biggest questions in estate planning: Should you have a will or a revocable living trust? There are many attorneys out there who believe that everyone should have a revocable living trust, no matter what. But this is short sighted and bad advice. In this video we look at the pros and cons of having a revocable living trust versus a will, and explore some of the reasons that one might be better for you than the other.
Read MoreProbate is tiring, costly, and takes a long time. Because of this, some people do not want to impose probate on any of their heirs, devisees, or beneficiaries. In today's video we talk about the top four ways of avoiding probate.
Read MoreEstate planning is a complicated matter, and the pandemic has only made things more difficult. In today's video we discuss some of the ways that attorneys and the State of Minnesota have adapted to the challenges of the pandemic to make sure that the public's estate planning needs are met.
Read MoreWills are the foundation of estate planning documents. But just because they are central doesn't mean they are simple. In today's video we discuss gift giving in wills: both what are the options and what are some of the pitfalls of doing things wrong.
Read MoreHealth care directives are complicated beasts. In today's video we'll talk about what comprises a health care directive. We'll also discuss what makes a good and bad health care directives.
Read MoreBeing a single parent is a tough job. It is essential that they make sure to take care of their estate so that their children are cared for in case of an untimely death.
Read MoreA “personal representative” is someone who administers an estate of someone who has died. In other jurisdictions, they are known by the terms “administrator” or “executor” or “administratrix” or executrix”. Personal representatives take on a lot of responsibility in their role. You should take care in who you designate to be your personal representative.
Read MoreIn today's video we talk about Powers of Attorney and break them down by their five key categories.
Read MoreIn today's video we discuss the five core documents that make up an estate plan. These documents are determined by the goals that we are trying to reach. There are generally six goals that we are trying to address in an estate plan. The goals are for when (1) we are alive and incapacitated and (2) we are dead. Within these two categories are three subcategories: (a) Money and Assets, (b) Health & Body, and (c) Children.
Read MoreA probate can become formal in two ways. First, it could have been initiated formally, by filing a Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative. Second, the County Registrar may have rejected an application for informal probate, requiring it to be filed probate. There are numerous reasons that a County Registrar may require a case to be formal rather than informal.
Read MoreInformal probate is the probate procedure that does not involve the Court. It is for estates that do not require Court intervention or supervision. There should be no legal disputes, no complex administrative requirements, or any real uncertainties.
Read MoreA prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into by couples planning on getting married. They are also known as “prenups”, “antenuptial agreements”, or “premarital agreements.” Couples can also sign a similar agreement after marriage called a “post-nuptial agreement.”
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