MSBA Elder Law Section Virtual Panel Coming Soon!

March 17, 2025  |  Kate Frederickson, Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Elder Law is a broad practice area with numerous pathways to practice. The MSBA Elder Law Section is hosting a virtual panel on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, open to law students, new lawyers, and practicing attorneys who are interested in an elder law practice. We will have attorneys from different stages in their careers who handle various aspects of elder law who will share their journey into the practice. The panelists will share insight on things they wish they knew at the onset of their career in elder law and how they have developed their practice. The panel will offer excellent insights into the practice of elder law in Minnesota for those considering going into elder law. Presenters:Kate R. Fredrickson, Attorney, Barna, Guzy & SteffenBen Kaufman, Staff Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal ServicesElizabeth I. Wrobel, Attorney, Wrobel & Smith, PLLPJulian J. Zweber, Attorney at Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota This event is free to Law Students and New Admittee’s to the Bar. You can register here:https://mnbars.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=299336&evSubAction=listAll&utm_campaign=2024-12-new-lawyers-newsletter&utm_source=membercentralpublications&utm_medium=email&utm_content=march-2025

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Corporate Transparency Act – LIMITED Enforcement?

March 14, 2025  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

If you have been following the “life” of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), an anti-money laundering law passed by Congress under the first Trump administration, you’ll have noticed the court challenges and on again, off again status. Those court challenges are likely moot at this point, as the Treasury Department announced on Sunday, March 2 that it will not enforce penalties or fines related to the CTA against US Citizens or domestic reporting companies. The CTA is a federal law that went into effect on January 1, 2024. The initial reporting deadline was December 31, 2024, with approximately 6.5 million filings made by that date. Estimates of the number of companies that should be filing exceed 30 million. Large companies and those in already regulated industries are exempt from filing. The actual filing is fairly simple, and the information is not public. Reporting has not been viewed as burdensome, although some companies have objected to being required to disclose ownership. At this time, FinCEN is still accepting filings, but we anticipate that few domestic companies will now elect to make the required filings. However, if your company has any foreign owners or is not a domestic (US) created entity, penalties and fines will still apply if the filing is not made. Further action…

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Updating Your Estate Plan for the New Year

February 5, 2025  |  William F. Huefner

The new year is the perfect time to reflect on the last 12 months and set new goals for the future. This also makes it an ideal time to update your estate plan. Much can change in a year, and your estate planning documents should reflect your current circumstances. Keep reading to learn some common life changes that may warrant updating your estate plan. Life Changes that May Affect Your Estate Plan Marriage or divorce: Many people appoint their spouse as a beneficiary, executor, or trustee. If your marital status changes, you should update your estate plan to reflect this. A new child or grandchild: You may wish to add a new family member as a beneficiary or set aside assets for them in a trust. Your Last Will and Testament should also include guardianship provisions for your minor children or dependents in the event that you pass away. The loss of a beneficiary: Losing a loved one is a tragedy, especially when it’s someone to whom you planned to bequeath your legacy. Updating your estate plan to reflect this loss is a heartbreaking but necessary step. A change in trustees or executors: Life moves quickly, and people’s health and priorities can change. Take some time to review the people you have nominated…

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