Cameron Kelly recently completed his LL.M. Degree in Estate Planning, graduating with honors from the John Marshall Law School. His coursework focused on the taxation of estates, protecting estate assets, and business succession planning. Cameron’s degree will allow...
With tax changes, do I still need estate planning?
When people think about estate planning, the estate tax is one of the first things that comes to mind. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017 brought significant changes to the transfer of wealth, including increasing the...
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
I recently worked with a client after his spouse passed away. Their revocable living trust had been drafted in 2000 by a competent attorney. At that time, the federal estate tax exemption was $675,000. The estate tax exemption is the amount of money that a person...
Estate Planning: Check Things Twice Before Moving on to 2018 Resolutions
Estate planning may not be at the top of most people's minds during the holidays. But it is important to check things twice before moving on to 2018 New Year's resolutions. For many of us, this includes updating our estate plans, figuring out what's happening with...
2017 Estate Tax Update
From comprehensive tax reform making its way through congress, to the changes to the Minnesota estate tax, it has been an eventful year for estate planning. While tax changes are not the most exciting topic for many of our clients, it is a topic that continues to be...
Taking a Last Minute Distribution From Your IRA? Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution
Most of our clients have at least a portion of their savings in IRAs. Those that do not often have savings in a 401k, which will likely be converted to an IRA upon retirement. Both 401k and IRA plans allow a person to put money away tax free. However, when money is...
2017 Snowbird Update
There have been significant well publicized estate planning legislative updates in 2017, including the increase in the Minnesota estate tax exemption amount and the proposed repeal of the federal exemption. Two lesser-known changes impact one of Minnesota’s most...
2017 Year-End Estate Planning Checklist
As the end of the year approaches and with the holiday season in full swing, estate planning isn’t typically at the top of most people’s wish lists. Nevertheless, it is important not to move on to 2018 new year’s resolutions without tying up the loose ends from the...
Guardianship
There is often confusion regarding what a guardianship is and whether it may be necessary for a friend or loved one. This article is meant to provide a general overview of guardianships in Minnesota. A guardianship is a relationship between a guardian, who is...
Four Things to Consider About Do-it-Yourself Estate Planning Software
As a price conscious homeowner, I am all for do-it-yourself projects to save a few dollars here and there. I often bite off more than I can chew, like the time I thought I could handle rerouting the plumbing in a bathroom. Predictably, this resulted in a flooded...
Minnesota Estate Tax Legislative Update – May 2017
Governor Dayton has signed the 2017 tax bill which will increase the Minnesota estate tax exemption from its current level of $1.8 million to $2.1 million for individuals dying in 2017. The legislation also adjusts the estate tax exemption in subsequent years;...
Adding new estate planning resources to meet client needs
Cameron Kelly, a Stillwater attorney practicing in the areas of estate planning, business law and real estate, joined Lommen Abdo May 15th. Cameron is a certified real estate specialist and is on the 2017 list of Minnesota Rising Stars as published by Super Lawyers. ...
Lommen Abdo Strengthens its Estate Planning and Corporate Practices
Cameron Kelly, an estate planning and corporate attorney, joined Lommen Abdo this month. Cameron Kelly enjoys providing high quality planning for individuals and businesses. His practice includes assisting clients with comprehensive estate planning, including wills,...
How to protect your children’s inheritance from divorce, creditors, and lawsuits
As divorce rates rise and society becomes increasingly litigious, asset protection has become an increasingly important aspect of estate planning. While most people understand the more common estate planning goals such as probate avoidance and limiting estate tax...
Five tips for updating your estate plan during or after divorce
Divorce is a difficult process, no matter how amicable the split. Between property division, potential custody disputes, and escalating legal bills, no one wants to think about more legal hoops to jump through. While updating your estate plan during a divorce may be...
Do I really need an estate plan? Three questions to ask yourself.
Contrary to popular belief, not only Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg require estate plans. If you own anything when you die, you have an estate. Your estate includes personal property, real estate, retirement accounts, life insurance, and business interests. Putting...
Estate Planning in a Digital World
In an increasingly digital age, more and more of our most valuable assets are taking on digital forms. While most people are familiar with basic wills and trusts as management tools for bequests of tangible personal property, our digital assets are often overlooked in...
Thoughtful Estate Planning for Children with Substance Abuse Problems
Do you have a child who is addicted to drugs or alcohol? Do you struggle with the thought of what will happen to your child after you pass away? The last thing you want to do is to provide your drug addicted child with a blank check inheritance. This could lead to...
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