A crucial part of estate planning is drafting a final will. This legal document dictates how your assets are distributed upon your death. However, there is so much more to estate planning than this...

What is the Corporate Transparency Act? The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), was passed by Congress in 2021, and went into effect January 1, 2024. Its purpose is to...

I recently had my horse, Gobain, shipped to me across several state lines. Along with checking multiple shipping company references, I reminded myself to check with my new state to see what I...

Social media accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook...

Management of estate resources is one of the bigger challenges during estate administration. The executor or personal representative of a Minnesota estate will have certain liabilities, including...

Small business  and  family business  may seem the same on the surface, but there are particular...

After a loved passes away, probate. Probate is a court-supervised legal process that: Certifies a will is valid, and Administers...

Spring has sprung around the country! For many horse owners, warmer weather and daylight savings means more time and opportunity for horsey endeavors. It also means that more friends and relatives...

If you are a new parent or an expecting parent, it’s time to create a Will and  start working on your estate plan . Having a Will in...

Moving across state lines is increasingly common these days. Whether the transition is for a new job, a transfer, or to be closer to family, thousands of people relocate to Minnesota every year....

Owning horses can be an incredibly fun hobby, as well as a business, that allows you to spend a great deal of time with these intelligent and beautiful animals. However, there are some basics about...

You don’t avoid probate by writing a will. Instead, the will helps direct the probate process. The  court oversees this  as they divide...

A loved one recently passed away. When the will was read, you discovered that they have named you as the estate executor. Unfortunately, you’re unsure exactly what...

Fiduciaries are people entrusted with making decisions related to a deceased person’s estate.  Yet, they cannot just make any decision they please. They are required...

Hello! The race is on! WILL YOU HELP US? Ballots have just opened up for the 2023 SunMedia Readers’ Choice Awards. For 2022,   rb LEGAL...

Those involved in dressage, racing and breeding may build their entire livelihoods around the horses that they own. Countless other Americans dedicate a significant portion of their income and free...

Many people see pets as a temporary investment, not something that requires long-term planning. This is because their lifespan tends to be relatively short. Dogs and cats may live for around a...

Estate planning is something that all individuals should know about, regardless of gender. Men and women need to know what steps they can take and what’s going to be required. They need to think...

When something in your business happens, you need to be able to address it quickly. You might not have time to call an attorney, set up an initial consultation, determine if you like them, and then...

When you die, your estate has to pass to someone. For this reason, the law allows you to create a will that dictates how your assets will be divided. Without a will, Minnesota intestacy laws would...

If you are executing someone’s estate after they die, you generally cannot hand out the assets until you have settled the deceased’s debts. Or rather, the debts that are eligible to be covered by...

Estate planning for your loved ones is an important step that provides guidance on how your estate should be handled when you are no longer able to manage it yourself due to death or incapacity....

In general, the estate executor is responsible for the administration of another person’s estate. For instance, an elderly parent may name their oldest adult child as their executor. The parent has...

What are the details? As of January 1, 2024, all Minnesota employers are prohibited from asking job applicants, including contractors and current employees seeking...

The executor handling an estate or the trustee managing trust assets will have a major impact on the inheritances of the beneficiaries. They typically have a responsibility to comply with state law...

The loss of a family member is a truly devastating event, especially if you have fond memories of them. If they left behind a will or trust, leaving you as a beneficiary or executor, you likely...

There are a lot of considerations to make when planning out your estate. For starters, you should have some idea of who will inherit your estate. Likewise, someone will need to stay and watch over...

Setting up an estate plan requires you to look at all the available options for turning assets over to your heirs when you die. One option that might be beneficial to you is a transfer on death...

Many people expect to inherit money when their parents pass away. But there are a lot of cases in which it turns out that there is not really any money left in the estate to inherit....

Creating an estate plan, naming beneficiaries and updating the documents regularly will help ensure that your assets are distributed based on your wishes after you pass away....

Estate planning is an important topic that many people find intimidating. Nobody relishes the prospect of contemplating what happens if they pass away. However, the benefits of providing security...

Before the execution of a will, the estate must pass through a probate court. During probate, the court certifies the will’s validity and gives the go-ahead for its execution. The responsibility to...

If you’re looking to leave money to one of your heirs, the most traditional way to do it is simply to put that money in your will. You name your heir and you state how much of your assets you would...

Reason 1. Quite simply, to let your family know your wishes, in an enforceable document , in...

Starting a business  is an exciting time of life! You get to be your own boss, make your own hours, decide how you want your business to grow...and you are responsible...

If you want your wealth to provide benefit to your family for generations or if you crave the peace of mind that your grandchildren will be financially secure no matter what, you may want to set up...

Leasing is a wonderful opportunity for a potential new owner to expose themselves to multiple horses before buying. It can be a rewarding experience for both the leaser/lessee and the horse....

Little known fact: not all jobs are created equally when it comes to how they are classified under the law. For example, take this hypothetical: Rocking R Ranch employs several people to do...

If you or your spouse dies, when it comes to providing for surviving children, sometimes a will is not enough to protect their inheritances. This is where a trust comes in. Trusts are not just for...

You have probably heard of this thing called a “trust.” You may even have a trust. But do you know what a trust is? Merriam-Webster defines a trust as “an arrangement...

September 5 is International Charity Day. You may have causes or organizations that you care about. As a result, you may want to leave money or other resources toward accomplishing the goals so...

Many pet owners care for their pets like family. For many pet parents, the animals are their family. Now, Minnesota law allows Minnesota pet owners to treat their pets like family even after they...

From student loans, to credit card debts, mortgages and car loans, millions of Americans are in some form of debt. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to clear off their debts during their lifetime...

What is AI? AI, otherwise known as artificial intelligence, is a technology that can easily write papers, stories, letters, and look up information. Although this can...

When a loved one passes away, you may find that you’ve been named as the estate administrator. This is called a personal representative in Minnesota, and it is just a person who is responsible for...

Charitable trusts are designed specifically to support charitable activities. Unlike personal or family trusts, established to benefit individual beneficiaries, charitable trusts aim to contribute...

If you have a business, chances are that someone will complain about some aspect of your service or product. This is just a fact of life: you can't please everyone. Complaints can come in a variety...

Estate planning is a great way to ensure your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes. When someone passes away without a valid will, their estate must go through probate...

Many people expect their funeral to be costly and plan on paying the cost ahead of their death. It’s a great way for the deceased to ease the weight of their death off their loved ones’ shoulders....

There are all types of blended families. Generally, a blended family is defined as a family that is formed when adults join in a new relationship and both parties have children from previous...

When someone dies, the property that was once theirs becomes the property of their estate. The executor or personal representative of the estate will need to go through probate proceedings to...

Executors play a crucial role in estate planning, as they ensure your wishes are fulfilled. However, they are responsible for  several duties...

Creating a valid will is important in ensuring your property and assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away.  In Minnesota, creating a will is...

There comes a time in every business owner’s life when they are ready to prepare for retirement. In some cases, selling the business is a no-brainer, other times people just choose to close their...

Social media accounts are all the rage these days for businesses. It’s an effective way to market your brand without spending tons of money. Most importantly, social media platforms place...

Equine leases have significantly grown in popularity across Minnesota. When we talk about  equine leases , we’re referring the to the...

When an individual passes on, their estate will go through probate. Basically, this is the legal process of identifying assets that are held in the decedent’s name and paying their debts and estate...

Typically, a person’s home is the most valuable single asset – or at least the most valuable real property – that they leave behind when they die. Often, people designate in their estate plan that...

Estate planning  is one of those tasks that people generally avoid. It takes some mental fortitude to think about and plan for unknown events. Most every client tell...

When your parents made their estate plan they named you the executor because they wanted to provide for you and your siblings after they were gone. They also wanted to ensure that some of their...

As the personal representative of someone’s estate, it is your job to settle their affairs, manage their property and distribute their assets according to their last wishes. If they did not provide...

The assets that comprise someone’s estate will determine the legacy that they leave for others. Their property can help support their spouse and children or even fund a nonprofit organization or a...

When a loved one passes away with debt, their estate is supposed to settle any outstanding financial obligations. Part of the probate process involves consolidating assets and paying off the...

After someone dies with valuable personal property or real estate in their name, their remaining assets become their estate. That estate will need to pass through Minnesota state probate courts....

Unlike humans, animals cannot inherit. This is because the law considers pets as the property of someone. Thankfully, there is a way around this  in Minnesota...

After someone passes away, their estate has to be dealt with. The legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person is called probate. Throughout this process, key estate planning...

Before probate can be completed, the total value of the estate needs to be calculated. The executor will need to know a definite amount, subject to any expenses or debt, that’s then payable to...

One common Minnesota estate planning tool, the Transfer on Death Deed (TODD), is getting a needed update. If you are a homeowner with a TODD on your property, you need to know about this new law...

You started a business, and now need to lease office, manufacturing, or warehouse space. You’ve heard different terms thrown around, but aren’t quite sure what they all mean. At rb LEGAL, we’re...

In many states, the executor or personal representative of someone’s estate is generally required to have a probate bond.  Minnesota isn’t one of them – although you can require your executor to...

Probate is the standard legal process of managing and administering your estate after death. It typically involves many subsequent steps necessary to organize your properties and handle them...

Probate is the legal process of administering an estate. Throughout this process, assets in the will will be distributed to named beneficiaries. This should be carried out in line with the true...

From initial formation to eventual exit, startups and small business owners typically find their legal needs evolve throughout their company’s lifecycle. This blog provides a basic overview of some...

As an estate’s personal representative, you must be ready when probate time comes. Simple mistakes can lead to delays affecting the estate’s beneficiaries and interested parties. One of the ways to...

Losing a loved one is an emotionally traumatic event that can be difficult to deal with. The last thing anyone in that position needs is a creditor coming after them for the debts their loved one...

The executor of an estate (or “personal representative,” as it’s known under Minnesota law) is responsible for settling the estate and carrying out the wishes of the deceased. When someone puts...

If you are a horse enthusiast and owner, the estate planning process could be a little different for you where your equine friends are concerned. You may consider setting up an equine trust to help...

Proposed Federal Regulations will update the 40 year old laws governing how kids work on farms, including family farms. If you ever worked on your family...

Today is the last day of the lease of your horse and it’s time for him to come back to your barn. But wait…did you make any arrangements up front on how that was supposed to happen? When the lease...