Meet Our Minnesota Attorneys

Breach of Fiduciary Duty: A Beneficiaries Guide As a trust beneficiary, you have certain rights and legal expectations regarding a trustee’s actions. One of the most critical responsibilities of a trustee is to act in your…

Disputes in Trust Administration Trust disputes can be complex and emotionally charged. They often happen for various reasons. As the name suggests, a trust dispute is a conflict that arises over the creation, administration, or…

Estate vs. Trust: What’s the Difference? Estate planning and trust administration are two distinct legal processes that people often confuse. Both are important in the management and distribution of assets, but they serve different purposes….

Trust Administration: A Comprehensive Guide Trust administration is the process of managing and distributing assets held in a trust according to the terms of the trust agreement. A trust agreement is a legal document between…

Trust Amendment: How and When to Modify Your Trust Trusts play a crucial role in estate planning, ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and your loved ones are taken care of after…

Living Trust Attorney: Do I Need One? Estate planning can be complex and daunting, but a living trust is a popular option that may simplify the process. Essentially, it’s a legal document that places your…

Are Wills Public Record? After a person passes away, their assets and belongings are typically distributed to their heirs based on their will. But what happens to the will after the person’s death? Is it…

How to Start the Probate Process The loss of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. If you’ve been named the personal representative of your loved one’s estate, you’re now entrusted with the…

Choosing a Personal Representative in Estate Planning Choosing a Personal Representative (sometimes referred to as an executor) for your estate is an important decision that requires careful consideration. This chosen individual plays a vital role…

Estate Planning Process: 7 Steps to Building Your Legacy There are many reasons why people hesitate to start the estate planning process.  One of the most common rationalities is that many of us do not…

Estate Planning Trusts: Which One is Right for Me? Estate planning can be complex and daunting, but it’s crucial to ensure the future security of your assets and loved ones.  One common estate planning tool…

Survivorship Life Insurance: Understanding Its Role in Estate Planning Survivorship life insurance is an important component of estate planning that not everyone is familiar with. While you may understand how traditional life insurance policies work…

Estate Planning: Is It Too Early To Get Started? When it comes to planning for an estate, most people wonder what the best age is to start. The short answer is if you own one…

Minnesota Estate Tax Planning: What You Need to Know While you’re looking at your estate, it’s easy to overlook what you’ll owe the federal and state government. But without proper planning and vigilance, taxes on…

Estate Planning Documents: The 5 Essentials At first, estate planning might seem complex, but complex doesn’t have to mean overwhelming. As we start to untangle what this important process entails, first, look at the five…

The Ultimate Guide to Estate Planning Estate planning is an essential process that everyone should have on their “to-do” list, regardless of age, wealth, or health status. It’s the only way to organize your financial…

Protect Your Family’s Inheritance: How to Avoid Probate Probate can be a lengthy and costly process, causing unnecessary stress and complications for your family after your passing. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to…

Probate Hearing: How to Prepare Probate hearings help ensure that the final wishes of individuals are respected and their assets are distributed fairly following a recent passing. This guide will outline what you can expect…

Probate Petition 101 & How to Avoid Common Mistakes When a person passes away—and their assets must be distributed—a probate petition must be filed with the court. This document ensures that the allocation of the…

Probate vs. Trust Administration: Understanding the Differences Are you unsure about the differences between probate and trust administration? You’re not alone. Many people feel confused about these two processes since each involves the transfer of…

Probate Attorney: Why Would I Need One? Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with the legalities of their estate can add an extra layer of stress. For this reason, hiring a probate…

What Is UCC & Why Is It Important? Whether you’re new to owning a business, or you’ve operated your own company for decades, it seems that every city, county, and state has its own set…

Common Business Legal Mistakes Starting a new business is an exciting venture for any solo artist or entrepreneur. Coming up with the name, drafting a business plan, and getting your LLC are all important milestones…

Why Hire a Contract Drafting Attorney? Every small business will face legal concerns. Whether you need an expert to review new contract agreements and permits, or require legal counsel to assist with supplier or vendor…

Estate Planning Tips As a parent and/or spouse, it’s your responsibility to ensure the financial security of your family in your absence. Estate planning is a “must-have” set of legal documents that help protect your…

Basics of Buy and Sell Agreement Though we can’t predict the future, we can do our best to plan and prepare for life’s many curveballs. This is especially important if you run a small business….

Tips for Ending a Business Partnership As with any relationship, starting a small business with someone can be an exciting new venture. However, the financial strain of daily operations combined with strong egos can easily…

LLC vs. DBA: Which Is Right for Me? Anyone who has taken an “Intro to Business” course has heard about the different types of business structures available to entrepreneurs. The two most commonly asked about…

Attorney vs. Lawyer [What’s the Difference]? Though these two terms get used interchangeably, there’s actually a few key differences between what type of services you can expect from an attorney vs. a lawyer. Are lawyers…

How to Start a Construction Company Are you starting a new construction company, or looking for some guidance as you consider taking on a new construction project?  Before you begin, you’ll want to ensure you’re…

Why Hire a Lawyer? There’s nothing generic about your life—so why should your legal representation be cookie cutter?  In today’s ever-evolving world, finding a professional law firm you can trust is invaluable. You want one…

Do Part-Time Workers Receive Holiday Pay? With the holiday season now in full swing, many small business owners may wonder about holiday pay, overtime, and paid time off. Below, we’ll discuss part-time workers specifically, and…

Are Holiday Workers Legally Entitled to Overtime Pay? With November upon us, it is officially “go time” for retail stores—as Black Friday deals begin. Despite an increase in eCommerce and supply chain disruptions, the National…

Top Small Business Legal Concerns Being a small business owner is full of both rewards and challenges. Along with the achievements of pursuing your passion and being your own boss, there are also the headaches…

Hiring a Construction Lawyer [Expectations vs. Reality] If you work in construction, then you already know that most working sites are vulnerable to legalities. This could be due to federally-mandated restrictions, the potential for hazards,…

Is It Time to Update Your Contractor’s Agreement? If you work as an independent contractor, then you already know how important it is to maintain a good rapport with clients—so they stay happy, and you…

Are Construction Laws National or State-Level? Construction law involves all legal issues related to the planning, design, and construction of a building or structure. Because construction projects include multiple parties—not to mention the fact that…

Should I Hire a Business Lawyer When I’m Ready to Sell? Selling a business can be a stressful process—and it requires negotiation, contract drafting, organization of financial documents, and so on. Below, we’ll help you…

What Is Business Law? Though a broad term, business law is responsible for regulating commercial entities and their commercial transactions—covering the rights and conduct of those involved in commerce, trade, and sales. Whether you’re a…

Free Legal Advice vs. Hiring an Attorney With a world of information at our fingertips, it’s easy to think we can get all the news and advice we need in just a few easy clicks….

Why Hire a Construction Lawyer? Planning residential or commercial construction? Whether this is your first time or you’re a seasoned builder, having access to a professional construction lawyer is more than a value add to…

Drafting a Will vs. Estate Planning: Is There a Difference? The terms “will” and “estate planning” often get used interchangeably. But it’s important to understand their differences, and how they work together to protect your…

3 Signs It’s Time to File for Conservatorship It can feel overwhelming to witness a loved one become unable to manage their own affairs—whether financial, personal, or both. If someone close to you, whether a…

Difference Between Trial Court and Appellate Court Need to settle a dispute in court? Whether you require professional representation for a business disagreement or a complex dissolution, here is what you need to know about…

How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost? Any business owner will tell you the importance of consulting with a business attorney, especially if you run into a legal dispute with a client, customer, or former…

What Are the Different Types of Business Law? If you already own a business or you’re thinking of becoming a business owner, you may wonder how the different types of business law can impact the…

Are Legal Fees Tax Deductible for Your Small Business? With the new year behind us, you may find yourself with questions about filing taxes for your small business. Working with a tax expert can help…

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Business Partnership? If you’re looking to launch a new business in 2020, you may find it more profitable to partner with another entrepreneur for added financial support, shared…

The Process of Contract Arbitration If you’ve ever signed an employment contract, business agreement, or even a credit card application, you may have come across the word arbitration. Arbitration is a process that involves taking…

4 Ways Prenups Can Create a Happy Marriage Planning an autumn wedding? As your special day draws near, you’re probably feeling a strong mix of emotions. And with all your free time spent planning and…

What Qualifies You to Receive Alimony? Emotions, stress, and all the legal considerations involved in divorce proceedings can take a toll on your mental and financial well-being. Understanding your rights and what you’re entitled to…

What Does a Trust Administrative Officer Do? As you get older, estate planning becomes an essential piece of your retirement goals, especially if you have family or loved ones you’re leaving behind. Considering how to…

Is It Legal to Change a Contract After Signing? For business owners and individuals alike, contracts are often considered rigid, consequence-imposing agreements that require stringent compliance. Though this outlook is not necessarily wrong, it lacks…

What Are the Top 3 Elements of a Breach of Contract Claim? Contracts regulate what you do every day. From the simple task of purchasing groceries at your local market to the more complex undertaking…

What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do? Nearly everyone has an estate, including you. Your estate comprises everything you own, from your home, car, checking and savings accounts to your investments, insurance, and personal possessions….

How Do I Find a Good Contract Attorney? A contract is a legally binding agreement, which can be in writing or oral. You’ve engaged with these types of documents in your everyday life, whether or…

Is a Cohabitation Agreement Right for Me? Whether you’re planning to move in with your significant other or you’ve been living together for years, you may have heard the legal term “cohabitation agreement” and wondered…

Should I Hire a Construction Attorney? Successful construction projects require collaboration between multiple parties—from architects and contractors to owners and investors. With so many moving parts, any construction job has the potential for disagreements, along…

How to Extend Your Parental Visitation Rights Going through a divorce can be difficult, even if both parties involved desire a mutual outcome. If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have any children together, the stress…

Handyman License in Minnesota: What You Need to Know You’re a self-sufficient person—especially around the house. Something breaks and you’re able to fix it, whether it’s the plumbing, electricity, carpentry, or masonry. Maybe you’re the…

Understanding the Basics of Collaborative Law Choosing to file for divorce is never an easy decision. It can be stressful and emotionally exhausting. This can be due to a variety of reasons, but once the…

Planning Long-Term Care Part II: Assets, Finances, and Cost of Care The cost of advanced care is expensive, and many people are unaware that Medicare doesn’t cover most long-term care needs, so planning ahead for…

Planning Your Long-Term Care Options: Part I Discussing long-term care with loved ones can bring up some emotional conversations, as it’s difficult to think about a time where you may not be able to make…

Modifying a Construction Contract Part II: Change Order Initiation In last week’s blog post, we discussed certain instances that may require your construction project to implement a change order to the original scope of work….

How to Modify a Construction Contract’s Scope of Work Making modifications during a construction project comes with the territory. Your clients may request additions, or you may need to make changes due to unexpected issues….

Is Your Small Business’ Intellectual Property Protected? Every small business is unique. Whether you sell web design and development, women’s sport apparel, cookbooks, or wedding photography, your brand has its own original identity. But what…

How to File for Conservatorship of a Loved One When a love one is no longer able to make financial decisions on his or her own—due to age, mental health, or disability—a conservatorship may be…

Independent Contractor Tips to Help You Avoid “Rookie” Mistakes Working in the “gig economy” has its benefits. As an independent contractor, you get to do what you love on your own terms and schedule. Of…

Basics of Marital vs. Non-Marital Property Interests Although emotionally stressful and financially burdensome, divorce is sometimes necessary. If you’re currently going through a legal separation, you may have heard the phrase “marital property,” but you’re…

Top 5 Qualities to Look for in a Small Business Lawyer In honor of this year’s annual celebration of Small Business Saturday, we at KTF Law Firm wanted to share some important qualities that every…

The Trouble with Boilerplate Contract Agreements In a world of instant gratification, it seems only natural for entrepreneurs to rely on the internet for help with running a small business. From ordering bulk supplies on…

What You Need to Know Before Filing a Will Contest The passing of a loved one can be a traumatic time for a family—even more so, when there are discrepancies over the deceased’s Last Will…

How Employment Law Affects Your Business Whether you’re starting a small business or expanding your current team of employees, it’s important that you understand employment law and how it may impact your employer-employee relationships. From…

Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer In a recent blog post, we discussed the importance of hiring an experienced divorce attorney to handle your complex dissolution of marriage, especially if children are involved. This week, we…

Hiring a Small Business Attorney? Whether you own a start-up company or established brand, hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in business law can help you protect the longevity of your business. From commercial code…

How to Keep the Romance Alive with a Prenuptial Agreement The words “prenuptial agreement” seem to carry negative connotations for many people. It’s typically the last thing couples want to discuss or even think about…

The Importance of Estate Planning for Newlyweds As you and your significant other prepare to exchange vows and begin a new life together, your thoughts about the future may include buying a home, starting a…

4 Things to Ask Your Lawyer Before Starting a Business Here at KTF Law, we work with entrepreneurs and business owners every. From working to launch a new business to helping established companies grow, our…

4 Things You Need Before Drafting a Living Will Over the last few years, you may have heard the term “living will” in the media surrounding the news of many notable celebrity deaths. In a…

Everything You Need to Know About Alimony Alimony payments are a reality in many divorce cases today. Also known as spousal support or maintenance, alimony is most common in divorces when one spouse earns substantially…

Are Legal Websites Really Cheaper Than Hiring a Lawyer? In 2017, it seems like you can learn anything you want on the internet. While this explosion of information in the digital age has incredible advantages…

The Differences Between Litigation, Arbitration, and Mediation You might have heard people talk about litigation, arbitration, and mediation before and assumed they are interchangeable terms for a legal battle involving heated court room discussions and…

Zoning Laws, Design Approval, and Business Lending Breaking ground on a commercial construction process is a long process. While there is quite a bit of pomp and circumstance around the groundbreaking, getting the first shovel…

Is Choosing a Public Defender Right for You? Everyone can make mistakes. Dealing with the consequences of these mistakes is a time-consuming process that can involve heavy financial costs, but more importantly, jeopardize your own…

Hiring a Small Business Attorney For entrepreneurs starting their first business, the legal world can be an overwhelming mess. The mountains of paperwork to file, standards to meet, and books to keep can leave you…

A Quick Lesson in Legal Jargon From a Law Firm Have you ever read through iTunes’ User Agreement and thought to yourself, what the heck does this all mean? Well you are not alone. Here…

Should I Really Get a Prenup? Ahh… true love. You’ve finally found it and you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with that special someone. The ring’s been bought, a date’s been set,…

Universal Advice For Child Custody Cases It’s a sad reality that 50% of children in America today will witness the breakup of their parent’s marriage. Divorce takes an emotional and physical toll on everyone involved,…

Breaches of Contract Contracts are a vital part of our world today and without them it is unlikely that businesses (or society for that matter) could function like they do today. Unfortunately, these contracts are…