Blended Families

The term "blended families" generally refers to married couples with children where one or both spouses has children from a prior relationship. Below are articles of particular interest to those needing information on the special issues involved with Minnesota probate and estate planning for blended families.

Importance of Estate Planning for Unmarried, Cohabitating Couples

01/08/2013 - Many people in long-term relationships live with their significant other, but for any number of reasons choose not to get married.  Estate planning is especially important for people in this situation if they expect their significant other to inherit property from them upon their death. A pers...

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Getting Married? Consider a Prenuptial Agreement

12/04/2012 - Once stigmatized (perhaps unfairly) as a bad omen to a marriage, prenuptial agreements (ante-nuptial or premarital agreement) are increasingly popular methods of family and estate planning.  They are a useful tool that can serve several important purposes.  Minnesota law provides for certain r...

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What Happens If I Don't Have a Will?

08/22/2012 - You're constantly told by attorneys, financial advisers, etc. that you need to have a Will (or some form of estate planning).  So, what happens if you die without having created a Will?  Here's a list of some important things you cannot do if you do not have a Will when you pass away. Minnes...

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Estate Planning is for Everyone

09/15/2011 - The phrase "estate planning" often conjures up images of an older, wealthy person trying to reduce estate taxes at death.  While this certainly is one goal, it only scratches the surface of what estate planning entails.  Estate planning in one form or another is truly for people of all ages,...

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The Basic Estate Planning Process

07/21/2011 - You've finally decided to take action and get your estate plan in order.  So, how do you get started?  What should you be thinking about?  Here is the basic process that will make it easier for you, your spouse, and your attorney to efficiently and effectively execute your estate planning g...

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Estate Planner's Arsenal: Life Insurance

06/23/2011 - The “Estate Planner’s Arsenal” series highlights specific estate planning tools and their uses. Life insurance can be one of the most important and versatile tools in the estate planner’s arsenal. It can be critical in estates big and small, taxable and non-taxable. Depending on your a...

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Introduction to Estate Planning for Blended Families

06/14/2011 - This website will devote a substantial amount of time to the special estate planning issues involved with blended families.  This post will serve as a short introduction. Divorce rates are high in the U.S., leading to many people entering into second or third marriages. Additionally, people o...

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Do I Really Need a Will?

05/12/2011 - I'm not going to preach and claim that every person needs to create a Will, but given the relatively small amount of time and expense involved in making a Will, there are not many good excuses for not having a Will.  If you die without a Will (or other estate planning devices), the State basica...

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