I have been asked by clients about the meaning of formal and informal probate in Minnesota. As a Dakota County probate attorney, I feel a little obligated to try and answered their questions. Many factors need to be taken into consideration when determining whether or not to administer an estate formally or informally. The follwoing are some of the more common…
There was a very interesting article published by Rueters related to the possiblity of receiving a tax break on underwater homes. All family law lawyers in Minnesota should be interested in this article. Family law attorneys are often faced with dividing the home as a marital asset. However, it is more common in this economy that lawyers are…
The Minnesota Supreme Court has amended the Minnesota Parent Education Minimum Standards. Click on the link to access the new standards and court order signed by Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 518.157 subd. 2, the Minnesota legislature requested that the Supreme Court “promulgate minimum standards for the implementation and administration of…
A new opinion was issued by the Minnesota Supreme Court related to third-party and grandparent visitation. The reported opinion was Rohmiller v. Hart, A10-138 (Minn. 02/29/2012). In the case, the mother of a two-year-old child was killed in an accident. When the mother was killed, the child lived with the maternal grandparents in the State…
In Minnesota, the law requires all divorce couples to file their legal paperwork in the same fashion. It doesn’t matter if you are a lawyer or not. Everybody files the same paperwork, pays the same fees, and follows the same rules. It’s just that lawyers know this and others don’t. According to Minnesota Statute 518.005,…
As reported by The Telegraph, wealthy couples are turning towards arbitration to settle their divorce disputes. My take? Bravo! Rather than utilize the courts for divorces, the couples are instead seeking alternative measures to settle their disputes. According to one lawyer, James Pirrie of the Family Law in Partnership: “Court queues are growing – meaning…
A person wanting to apply for a Dakota County marriage license can go to the Dakota County website for further information. Marriage licenses in Dakota County are currently available at: Administration Center – Hastings Northern Service Center – West St. Paul Western Service Center – Apple Valley
The federal government is pushing a new bill that would have a significant affect on Minnesota child custody laws. As reported by Military.com, the House of Representatives Arms Services Committee is lobbying the Pentagon for support on military servicemembers’ child custody rights. The committee is seeking support from Leon Penetta on the proposed “Servicemember Family Protection Act.”…
