Estate Planner's Arsenal: Common Probate Avoidance Tools
04/28/2012 - The "Estate Planner's Arsenal" series highlights specific estate planning tools and their uses. Clients often state that their main estate planning goal is to avoid probate. This article does not comment on whether probate avoidance is a good thing, as that depends on everyone's unique perso...
Plan Your Estate While Still "Mentally Spry"
02/23/2012 - I recently read an article by Chris Farrell in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that brought up a very good point when it comes to retirement and estate planning. Mr. Farrell correctly stated, "It's critical for an aging population to get its financial affairs in order while still mentally spry." ...
Estate Planner's Arsenal: The Revocable Living Trust
02/08/2012 - The "Estate Planner's Arsenal" series highlights specific estate planning tools and their uses. Generally speaking, a "Trust" is a tool for protecting and managing the distribution of your assets. Property is transferred to the Trust by re-titling the property in the name of the Trustee. ...
"The Probate Estate" Named a Top 25 Minnesota Blawg for 2011
01/10/2012 - Thank you to the folks at Practice Law and the Minnesota State Bar Association for naming "The Probate Estate" a Top 25 Minnesota Blawg for 2011. "The Probate Estate" will continue to serve as a resource for the general public on all things related to Minnesota probate and estate planning in...
Contingent Trusts for Minor Children
12/10/2011 - The general consensus is that parents with minor children (under 18) should have some form of estate planning in place. This is often in the form of a Simple Will which has a provision nominating a Guardian who will physically care for the minor children if both parents die. Additionally, it...