Minnesota Estate, Business & Property Law Blog

Minnesota guidance on estate planning, probate, business law, and real estate, written in plain language for families and business owners.

Cybersecurity is a business-law concern for organizations of every size, not only large companies with in-house technology teams. Digital systems now support customer communication, payment...

Five Cybersecurity Practices Every Business Should Prioritize

Cybersecurity is a business-law concern for organizations of every size, not only large companies with in-house technology teams. Digital systems now support customer communication, payment...
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Most people in the St. Cloud area who do not have a will assume the outcome is obvious. The house goes to the spouse. The kids split whatever is left. Everyone gets along. Sometimes that is exactly...

What Happens to Your House If You Die Without a Will in Minnesota?

Most people in the St. Cloud area who do not have a will assume the outcome is obvious. The house goes to the spouse. The kids split whatever is left. Everyone gets along. Sometimes that is exactly...
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Probate is required in Minnesota when someone dies owning property in their name alone that did not pass automatically to someone else. If everything they owned was jointly held, had a named...

When Is Probate Required in Minnesota?

Probate is required in Minnesota when someone dies owning property in their name alone that did not pass automatically to someone else. If everything they owned was jointly held, had a named...
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Most law firm websites will not answer this question. You get a page about the importance of planning, a few paragraphs about protecting your legacy, and an invitation to call for a quote. We would...

How Much Does an Estate Plan Cost in St. Cloud, MN?

Most law firm websites will not answer this question. You get a page about the importance of planning, a few paragraphs about protecting your legacy, and an invitation to call for a quote. We would...
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No. Minnesota does not require you to use an attorney to make a valid will. A will written without a lawyer is legally valid here as long as it is in writing, signed by you, and signed by at least...

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota does not require you to use an attorney to make a valid will. A will written without a lawyer is legally valid here as long as it is in writing, signed by you, and signed by at least...
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World Alzheimer’s Day, observed each year on September 21, is an opportunity to recognize the challenges Alzheimer’s disease creates for individuals and the people who care about them....

Estate Planning After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

World Alzheimer’s Day, observed each year on September 21, is an opportunity to recognize the challenges Alzheimer’s disease creates for individuals and the people who care about them....
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August is National Make a Will Month, offering a helpful reminder to revisit the role a will plays in your overall estate planning strategy. A will provides direction, clarity, and structure, yet...

National Make a Will Month: What You Should Know

August is National Make a Will Month, offering a helpful reminder to revisit the role a will plays in your overall estate planning strategy. A will provides direction, clarity, and structure, yet...
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Estate planning is something many people mean to handle eventually, yet it often slips down the priority list. The truth is that creating and maintaining an estate plan is an evolving process, not...

Estate Planning Checklist: Where Do You Stand?

Estate planning is something many people mean to handle eventually, yet it often slips down the priority list. The truth is that creating and maintaining an estate plan is an evolving process, not...
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This mid-year check-in offers a chance to make sure your estate plan still reflects your life as it stands today. Personal milestones, financial changes, and shifting priorities can all influence...

Mid-Year Estate Planning Check-In

This mid-year check-in offers a chance to make sure your estate plan still reflects your life as it stands today. Personal milestones, financial changes, and shifting priorities can all influence...
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May is National Small Business Month—an ideal reminder of the dedication, creativity, and grit it takes to run a company. It’s also the perfect moment to step back and make sure your legal...
May is National Small Business Month—an ideal reminder of the dedication, creativity, and grit it takes to run a company. It’s also the perfect moment to step back and make sure your legal...
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In today’s innovation-driven workplaces, intellectual property has become one of the most valuable assets a business can hold. Knowing who owns what when employees create new ideas, designs, or...

Understanding Employer Rights to Employee-Created IP

In today’s innovation-driven workplaces, intellectual property has become one of the most valuable assets a business can hold. Knowing who owns what when employees create new ideas, designs, or...
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A deferred compensation plan lets a business turn long‑term loyalty into a strategic advantage. It helps you keep top talent by offering a powerful, tax‑efficient way for key employees to build...

Does Your Business Need a Deferred Compensation Plan?

A deferred compensation plan lets a business turn long‑term loyalty into a strategic advantage. It helps you keep top talent by offering a powerful, tax‑efficient way for key employees to build...
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Starting a Business in Minnesota? Your Early Decisions MatterStarting a business is exciting—but it’s easy to underestimate how many “small” decisions can create big consequences later. One of the...

Business Formation & Structuring in Minnesota: How to Choose the Right Entity (and Set It Up to Succeed)

Starting a Business in Minnesota? Your Early Decisions MatterStarting a business is exciting—but it’s easy to underestimate how many “small” decisions can create big consequences later. One of the...
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has sparked plenty of questions—and understandably so. Large-scale legislative changes often bring uncertainty, especially when they affect something as...

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Shapes Estate Planning

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has sparked plenty of questions—and understandably so. Large-scale legislative changes often bring uncertainty, especially when they affect something as...
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Estate planning is an essential part of protecting your financial future, yet it’s often surrounded by confusion and outdated assumptions. Many people misunderstand how trusts work, what estate...

Common Estate Planning Myths — and the Realities You Should Know

Estate planning is an essential part of protecting your financial future, yet it’s often surrounded by confusion and outdated assumptions. Many people misunderstand how trusts work, what estate...
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Estate planning often comes with a fair amount of confusion, especially around how trusts work, what an estate plan really covers, and the right way to address disinheritance. Misunderstandings in...

Understanding Common Estate Planning Misconceptions

Estate planning often comes with a fair amount of confusion, especially around how trusts work, what an estate plan really covers, and the right way to address disinheritance. Misunderstandings in...
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The Importance of Legal Awareness for Small BusinessesUnderstanding legal challenges is crucial for small businesses as these issues can unexpectedly impact a company’s finances, reputation, and...
The Importance of Legal Awareness for Small BusinessesUnderstanding legal challenges is crucial for small businesses as these issues can unexpectedly impact a company’s finances, reputation, and...
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Nearly 55% of U.S. adults don’t have a will or estate plan in place. Probate, when no clear plan exists, can consume 3–7% of an estate’s value and drag on for months or even years. And 58% of...

Estate Planning Conversations Around the Holiday Table

Nearly 55% of U.S. adults don’t have a will or estate plan in place. Probate, when no clear plan exists, can consume 3–7% of an estate’s value and drag on for months or even years. And 58% of...
Read more