Many people hear “grandparents’ rights” and assume grandparents have an automatic right to spend time with their grandchildren. In Minnesota, there is no inherent right to visitation. Grandparents—and certain nonparents—have the right to ask a court for visitation, but they must meet specific statutory criteria and a heightened evidentiary burden before a court can order it.
Minnesota Guardianship Changes in 2024 and 2025: What You Need to Know
Minnesota enacted significant revisions to its guardianship statutes in 2024 and 2025. These changes directly impact guardians – who now face greater potential personal liability – as well as individuals subject to guardianships.
Key Tax Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) became law as President Trump penned the final required signature. The OBBBA extends several provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and includes other changes affecting the taxes of individuals and businesses. Below are summaries of selected tax law provisions.
Minnesota Adopts Changes to Trust and Estate Law, Including 500-Year Dynasty Trusts
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.
Super Lawyers Magazine named more than half of Henson Efron attorneys to the 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists for the state of Minnesota. Family law attorney Alan C. Eidsness was recognized in the top 10 of the overall Minnesota Super Lawyers list, a distinction he has received nine times since 2005. For the…
Pour carefully when decanting irrevocable trusts
Christopher Burns | Minnesota Lawyer
Christopher Burns with Lloyd D. Stern highlight the concept of trust decanting, a new and useful vehicle, but it is not without its own traps and pitfalls, which warrant moderation and a careful approach. “Pour carefully when decanting irrevocable trusts” was published in Minnesota Lawyer on June 27, 2016.
New global networking group for women comes to the Twin Cities. The new local chapter of Ellevate will kick off with a June 21 event. Minnesota women play an ever more prominent role in business, but making critical connections across sectors can sometimes be difficult. In June, the Twin Cities is officially launching a local…
Are you ready for your close-up? When the news broke after Prince’s April 21 death that the music superstar apparently didn’t leave a will, prospective heirs to his fortune started coming out of the woodwork. And when that happened, news outlets far and wide did likewise, wanting to talk to Twin Cities probate and estate…
Henson Efron announced that six of its attorneys were honored by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) as North Star Lawyers, recognizing their commitment to pro bono service in 2015. Each attorney volunteered 50 hours or more of their time serving low income Minnesotans last year. Christopher J. Burns – Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Jaime…
Christopher Burns interviews with ABC News Good Morning America and KSTP-TV Channel 5 About Minnesota Law and Prince’s Estate. Hearing for Prince’s Estate Scheduled for Monday to Decide Latest on Inheritance Eva Pilgrim May 1, 2016 Probate Firm Says Another Heir Could Be Named to Prince’s Estate Brett Hoffland April 29, 2016