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?
The Purchase Agreement: Part I
Previously we discussed the importance of assembling a team of Key Players as a first step to any commercial real estate transaction. Once your team is assembled and discovered a suitable property, the next step is to draft and negotiate a purchase agreement that encapsulates the deal and protects your interest. A well-drafted purchase agreement…
Revocation of Beneficiary Designations Upon Divorce
Katy Graves | Minnesota Lawyer
Kathyrn Graves and Jaime Driggs have some insight when it comes to the revocation of beneficiary designations upon divorce in a family law article in Minnesota Lawyer™. Read more at Revocation of Beneficiary Designations Upon Divorce.
You Can’t Take ‘It’ With You – How You Can Leave ‘It’ Behind
Christopher Burns
Estate planning, trust and probate attorney, Christopher J. Burns, presented “You Can’t Take ‘It’ With You – How You Can Leave ‘It’ Behind” on February 20, 2014 as part of the 2014 Planning Well Seminar Series. The presentation covered basic estate planning tools such as wills, trust agreements, health care directives, and powers of attorney…
Relocating with a Child Requirements
Alan Eidsness | Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer
The law governing out-of-state relocation of children changed in 2006 with the adoption of Minnesota’s removal statute, replacing the endangerment standard with an eight factor best interest standard and placing the burden of proof on the party seeking to relocate. Read family law attorneys Alan C. Eidsness and Jaime Driggs analysis in “What Type of Hearing…
How to Treat Negative Equity in Real Estate
Alan Eidsness | Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer
Ever since housing prices plummeted, family law attorneys have struggled to determine how to treat real property with negative equity. Does it go on the balance sheet as a negative number or does it get valued at zero? With Middendorf v. Middendorf, the Court of Appeals issued a decision addressing how to treat real property with negative equity, an issue family law attorneys have struggled…
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl
Alan Eidsness | Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer
In their article, “Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl,” family law attorneys Alan C. Eidsness and Jaime Driggs examined the recent United States Supreme Court decision addressing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The case involved the difficult issues of race, fathers’ rights, adoption placement, and Indian rights. Though it had the potential to provide a meaningful…