Many people use estate planning to make the probate process easier and faster for their loved ones -- or to avoid probate altogether -- but an estate plan can be effective even long after probate ends. Below are a few ways that estate planning can continue to affect others, decades after a person's passing.
What Are My Obligations to Pay Overtime?
Paying employees properly is a primary responsibility for Minnesota employers. Not only does it reflect well on the company, it also prevents costly legal battles and protects workers' rights.
That said, it is not necessary for employers to overobligate themselves by paying more than what they are legally obligated to pay. For instance, paying workers overtime may always be appreciated and may sometimes be required, but it is not always so. Knowing if and when you must pay your employees overtime can be one of the most complex issues an employer must address.
Can You Actually Take a Sick Day?
No matter how long you have lived and worked in Minnesota, winter can take its toll on you, mentally and physically. People can experience difficulty sleeping, depression, and standard colds and flu that never seem to go away.
As such, many workers are probably thinking about sick days. Can they take one? Should they take one?
Who Might be Called as a Witness in a Divorce?
When people think about witnesses in court, they often imagine criminal cases or personal injury claims. However, witnesses can also play a role in family law cases, including divorce.
If you are getting divorced, know that there could be witnesses called to testify. They can serve various purposes and typically come from a range of backgrounds, and they could have a powerful impact on the decision reached.
Tips for Renting your First Office Space (and Avoiding Disputes)
There are numerous steps to opening a new business: from creating a business plan, to finding investors, to making your first sale. But opening the doors to your new office space is one particularly exciting and momentous step in the process.
Before you get ahead of yourself, when it comes to moving from your home or garage to actual office space, there are some important details to consider. These few tips can help you find the appropriate space and avoid some potentially costly disputes.
Estate Planning Attorney Helps Clients Reduce, or Erase, Tax Fees and Penalties
The Problem: Several of our clients approached the firm after being notified that they owed significant amounts of interest and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) resulting from late tax filings and/or insufficient payments.
Recently Divorced? Update your Estate Plan Immediately to Avoid Unintended Consequences
Divorce is a major life event. If your marriage has recently terminated, you're probably more than ready to put the arduous legal process behind you.
However, one step that many people overlook during and after divorce is updating their estate plan. Some people forget or put it off because they don't want to navigate another legal process; others assume that the divorce itself is enough to update the plan. But avoiding this crucial step after divorce can leave you--and your family--exposed to some painful and unintended consequences.
How Big of a Problem is Age Discrimination?
Under both federal and Minnesota state law, employers cannot discriminate against an individual in terms of employment because of that person's age. A person falls into the age-protected class as soon as they reach the ripe old age of 40.
A recent opinion article in the Washington Post reported on data showing that most workers over 50 are the victims of age discrimination. In that article, which can be read in full here, the author argues that companies regularly fire, refuse to hire, demote, or otherwise retaliate against workers because of their age.
In a time when older workers make up such a significant segment of the workforce, it suggests that both employers and employees across Minnesota could find themselves increasingly embroiled in claims related age discrimination.
Whom Should I Name as My Child's Guardian?
Every day, parents make decisions on how best to care for and protect their children. These decisions are often minor or routine. However, parents also make difficult decisions to protect their kids--decisions that can have a significant impact on a child's life.
Among these big decisions is determining who should serve as guardian should the parents pass away. Assigning this role can be one of the most important decisions a parent can make when it comes to planning for the future, so it is crucial to take the decision seriously and consider some important factors first.
Common Reasons for Divorce (and How they Affect the Process)
People end their marriages for myriad reasons--and often not just for one reason. That said, there are some more common reasons why people divorce. We explore some of these reasons below and offer tips on navigating the legal process when these common reasons play a role in your divorce.
