Category: Estate Planning
MSBA Elder Law Section Virtual Panel Coming Soon!
March 17, 2025 | Kate Frederickson
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
Read MoreUpdating 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…
Read MoreMA-EPD Law Updates Expand Eligibility for Coverage
December 17, 2024 | Cathryn Reher
We are nearing one year since the Minnesota Department of Human Services expanded those persons with disabilities who may qualify for Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD). Persons with disabilities participating in MA-EPD must have an earned monthly income of $65.01 or more. This program provides for not only state plan health coverage but also waivered services through CADI, CAC, BI, and DD waivers. The 2024 law change removed any asset limit to qualify. For self-employed persons, there was a mid-year law change that self-employment tax filings suffice as proof of appropriate tax withholdings. The most amazing aspect of the 2024 law changes is that MA-EPD became available to persons residing in skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) as well as community-based settings. Our firm has successfully converted several clients from community-based MA-EPD to MA-EPD while residing in a skilled nursing facility. As an example, a long-term CADI client needed more care and entered a nursing home. His MA-EPD premium was $68. We assisted with his conversion to a nursing home on MA-EPD, where his monthly obligation remained $68. The client was not required to pay the alternative long-term care income spenddown, which would have been approximately $1,526. The reserved income is being used to pay for a private room as well!…
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