In May 2025, substantial amendments to Minnesota’s trust and estate statutes were enacted. Some of these changes include changes to the Uniform Trust Code, the Uniform Probate Code, the Power of Appointment Act, and to modernize Minnesota’s statutory Rule Against Perpetuities. These revisions update the legal framework governing trusts and estates in Minnesota and enhance planning opportunities for multi-generation estate planning.
Are You Ready for Minnesota’s New Data Privacy Law?
The Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act (“MCDPA”) introduces new rights for consumers and new obligations for businesses – and it takes effect July 31, 2025. If your business handles personal information from Minnesota residents, now is the time to prepare. Can you respond to consumer requests under the new law? Are your opt-out tools in place? Have you updated your privacy notice?
5 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer Before Renting Your Vacation Property, Cabin or Lake Home
With July off to a pleasant start and our Independence Day celebrations behind us, it’s officially “mid-summer”. But, there is still time to consider renting or leasing your lakeshore property or cabin. And, with sites like VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner), HomeAway.com and even other vacation rental options like Craigslist – it is getting easier…
Commercial Real Estate Jargon: Easy as ABC
Navigating the commercial real estate world is challenging for even the most seasoned professionals, especially in today’s fast-changing economy. As the scope and shape of commercial real estate continues to morph, so does the vocabulary used to describe it. There are a myriad of terms in CRE jargon, but we’ve chosen just one (for now)…
The Purchase Agreement: Part III
Previously we took a look at the due diligence process of a commercial real estate transaction. In this edition, let’s discuss what a Buyer needs to know about contingencies. In a typical CRE deal, there are various standard contingencies that work to benefit Buyers (provided that a Buyer is savvy enough to include such contingencies…
Sellers and Buyers: Competing Interests
Whenever assets constituting a functioning enterprise are transferred in a taxable transaction, Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code requires the seller and buyer to allocate the purchase price among the transferred assets. Treasury Regulations require sellers and buyers to allocate the purchase price to and among seven classes of assets according to the relative…
Letters of Intent: How They Go Awry
As a deal lawyer, I love getting the phone call from a client about a new transaction. My heart sinks, however, when the client happily tells me how simple it will be because they have signed a letter of intent—without a lawyer reviewing it. A letter of intent (“LOI”) is not necessarily a bad thing,…
The Purchase Agreement: Part II
Previously, we discussed key purchase agreement provisions and concepts, including purchase price, earnest money and payments terms. In this edition, we’ll take a closer look at the due diligence process. Here is what you need to know: During the due diligence process, the Buyer will inspect and investigate the property to determine if the contingencies…