The short answer is that you probably should not add your child as a joint owner on your bank account. I am frequently asked if it is advisable to add an adult child as a joint owner on a bank account, sometimes because a family member or financial institution has...
St. Michael Law Blog
COVID-19 Highlights Importance of Key Estate Planning Documents
Many of my clients tell me that they have been meaning to get around to creating a Will, Power of Attorney, and/or a Health Care Directive for a long time, sometimes for decades. I often tell my clients that things usually go according to plan until they do not. The...
How to Successfully Talk with your Parents about their Estate Planning
I recently read the popular business self-help book, Crucial conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High and realized that its principles for dealing with difficult conversations are applicable not only to business conversations, but also to difficult...
What happens to my vehicle after my death?
Minnesota law has recently been updated to allow people to name a beneficiary on the title of a motor vehicle. An owner of a motor vehicle can use a Transfer of Death (TOD) designation to transfer title to a motor vehicle to a beneficiary of the owner's choosing after...
Who is in Charge? The Downside of Avoiding Probate
When you die, you want your assets to pass to your loved ones as easily as possible, right? Many people think that means avoiding probate. In some cases, however, avoiding probate creates more problems than it solves.A common way to avoid probate is by naming "payable...
Can I Plan for What Happens to my Pet After my Death?
The Minnesota legislature recently passed a law that allows Minnesotans to create a trust for the care of an animal. Pet owners now have additional tools at their disposal to ensure that their beloved pets will be cared for according to their wishes after they pass...
When Do I Need to Update My Health Care Directive?
In Minnesota if you become temporarily or permanently unable to make your own health care decisions there is no one with the legal authority to make health care decisions for you after you turn eighteen. For that reason, all adults need a health care directive. But...
DWI in Minnesota
Being charged with a DWI can be a terrifying experience. Not only are you faced with the possibility of losing your license, jail time, and the nightmare of navigating the legal process, you must balance all of these worries with the logistical concerns of your...
Social Security Survivor Benefits
While many people think of Social Security as being solely a retirement benefit, you may also be able to receive benefits from Social Security after a family member dies. Part of the Social Security taxes you pay each month go towards a Social Security "Life...
In case you missed it … the new LLC law is now in effect!
You may have seen or heard something near the end of 2017 about a "new law" or "big changes" impacting Minnesota limited liability companies (LLCs). You may have even received an email or letter from the Minnesota Secretary of State about it. Well, in case you...