FINALLY: A NEEDED CHANGE
April 9, 2015 | John T. BuchmanLast session, the Minnesota legislature finally passed and Governor Dayton signed into law, a provision that increases some of the benefits available to victims of car crashes here in Minnesota. This was a long overdue increase to wage loss and funeral expense benefits under Minnesota No-Fault Act. Minnesotans injured in car accidents have had, since the No-Fault Act was first created 40 years ago, the right to 85{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of any wage loss or income reduction due to injuries suffered in a car crash. However, for the last 30 years, that has been limited to a maximum of $250 a week. As a result, most wage earners could not survive long on $250 a week. The No-Fault Act also provided $2,000 for families who had to pay the expenses of burying a loved one who was killed in a car crash. The new law increases the maximum wage loss benefit to $500 a week. Additionally, the funeral expenses have been increased to $5,000 (which is still much less than the typical funeral cost of $8,000 – $10,000). These new benefit amounts became effective January 1, 2015, for any collision occurring after that date or for any policies renewed after January 1, 2015. It is our position that this would apply to people that were…
Read MoreShareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen Elect President and Board of Directors
April 1, 2015 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.The law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen held its annual meeting March 28th, 2015 at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids. The meeting included a presentation by President William F. Huefner and reports from the Practice Group Managers. The shareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. reelected William F. Huefner as President and Jeffrey S. Johnson as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Reelected to officer positions within the Board of Directors were Charles M. Seykora as Treasurer and Bradley A. Kletscher as Secretary. Joan M. Quade and Charles M. Seykora were also reelected to the Board of Directors for another three year term. Newly appointed as a Practice Group Manager was Russell H. Crowder (Consumer). Reelected as Practice Group managers were Michael F. Hurley (Real Estate/Corporate) and Joan M. Quade (Litigation/Municipal). The firm looks forward to a very successful year as it plans to continue efforts to grow and serve the community it has served since 1938. The firm also congratulates these attorneys on their achievements.
Read MoreHow is Child Custody Determined in a Minnesota Divorce?
February 21, 2015 | Elizabeth A. SchadingChild custody is one of the most complicated issues in a Minnesota divorce. Although custody issues seldom go to trial, it’s still difficult for parents to come to an agreement on who should have custody of the child, or if the custody should be shared. It’s important to understand the types of child custody in Minnesota and how custody is determined. Types of Child Custody In Minnesota, there are two primary types of child custody: • Physical • Legal Physical refers to the child’s day-to-day routine and where he or she lives. Legal refers to how the child is raised, such as what school the child attends, his or her health care and religious upbringing. Some parents share custody, which is known as either joint legal or joint physical custody. But in some cases, one parent may have sole custody (both physical and legal) of the child. When parents share legal custody, it means that both parents will share the decision making when it comes to how the child is raised. When parents share physical custody, it means that the child’s residence and daily routine will be split between both parents, but not necessarily on an equal basis. How Child Custody is Determined In Minnesota, child custody can be determined in two ways:…
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