Liz Schading Pens Article for Minnesota Women Lawyers Organization
February 3, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Family Law Attorney Liz Schading recently authored an article for “With Equal Right” the online official journal of the Minnesota Women Lawyers organization. The article looks at the practice of Early Neutral Evaluation in Family law and how it can expedite some custody issues for parents.
Read MoreAnoka County Holds Community Forums on Dangers of Heroin
January 28, 2014 | Jon P. EricksonAs a criminal lawyer, I have seen first hand the use of drugs and the affects on people’s lives. In the last year, our team of lawyers has noticed an increase in incidents related to the use of drugs. I read with interest a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune entitled; “Twin Cities heroin, painkiller deaths surged in the first half of 2013.” The article states that the pace of fatal prescription painkiller overdoses has increased as well as an uptick in LSD and meth use. The Criminal Defense Lawyers at BGS have seen a rise in heroin and prescription drug cases that we are hired to defend. Over the years we have seen the rise and fall of the use of certain drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines. Heroin use is now the big problem. There is street heroin, and then the sale and use of prescribed synthetic heroin. Getting Help I believe there is more that family members can do to slow down the use of synthetic/prescribed medications, and the illegal sale of such. The best way is simply to know what medications you have in your cabinet, and to keep a close eye on them. If you are done using them, we recommend that you discard them appropriately (check with…
Read MoreDevelopers and Builders Beware: Tips From an Association Attorney
January 20, 2014 | Timothy D. ErbIn 1994, the Minnesota Legislature adopted Minnesota Statutes Chapter 515B, the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (often referred to as “MCIOA” or “Chapter 515B”). Chapter 515B governs most townhome and condominium developments created after adoption of the chapter. Chapter 515B requires certain developers and/or builders of a townhome or condominium project to provide to any buyer a disclosure statement when a unit is sold to the buyer. A disclosure statement basically requires disclosure of material matters regarding the development. The disclosure statement has been required since inception of Chapter 515B and is not generally noteworthy or a change to common practice. However, it is noteworthy that due to a recent legislation error, most builders and developers are unaware that they may also be required to provide a disclosure statement even when they are not selling a unit to a buyer. Minnesota Statute Sec. 515B.4-101, formerly stated that when certain developers or builders are not transferring title to real estate but are merely transferring rights called special declarant rights, the developer or builder does not need to provide a disclosure statement. Special declarant rights are rights that are used by developers and builders to ensure that the development can be completed without material interference from the association. However, due to a recent legislative error,…
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