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Christopher Burns Presented the “Heckerling Review” to the Twin Cities Estate Planning Council

By: Christopher Burns | February 24, 2016
Gift Tax, Powers of Attorneys, Probate, Taxes, Wills & Trusts Agreements

While Minnesota was enjoying mid-day high temperatures of -1, Christopher Burns was absorbing the content of the 50th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, Florida. Christopher brings that content back to Twin Cities Estate Planning Council and shares what is new, what remains the same, and what to expect in legislative changes and Supreme […]

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Spousal maintenance: when are the tax consequences considered?

By: Alan Eidsness , Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer | February 4, 2016
Divorce Settlements, Spousal Maintenance, Taxes

Alan Eidsness and Jaime Driggs have some guidance when it comes to the division of property in a family law article in Minnesota Lawyer™ Spousal maintenance is a tough issue for many reasons and the uncertainty surrounding whether tax consequences are considered makes it even more challenging. Read more at Spousal maintenance: when are the […]

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Key changes in Minnesota trust law

By: Christopher Burns | Minnesota Lawyer | January 8, 2016
Wills & Trusts Agreements

Christopher Burns with Lloyd D. Stern developed a list of changes to Minnesota trust law that are generally effective as of January 1, 2016. In a comprehensive update of the law, the Legislature codified caselaw, adopted many provisions of the Uniform Trust Code and added a provision for decanting trusts. “Key changes in Minnesota trust […]

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The Top Five Financial and Estate Planning Priorities for Physicians

By: Christopher Burns | Minnesota MD News | August 7, 2015

The recently published article in Minnesota MD NEWS, “Your Wealth-care Team: Partnering with Physicians to Grow, Manage and Transfer Wealth” describes how physician groups can benefit from financial and succession planning, and provides the top five financial and estate planning priorities for physicians. “It is generally fair to say that physicians are a well-educated, intelligent group […]

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Obtaining Mental Health Records When Litigating Custody

By: Alan Eidsness , Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer | July 23, 2015
Child Support

The mental health of a party is often at issue when litigating custody or parenting time issues and medical records pertaining to a parent’s mental health can be important evidence. A recent decision from the Court of Appeals calls into question how to go about obtaining a party’s mental health records. Huber v. Vohnoutka, No. […]

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Exploring The New Minnesota Trust Code

By: Christopher Burns | Minnesota Lawyer | July 17, 2015
Wills & Trusts Agreements

The Minnesota Legislature recently enacted a new Minnesota Trust Code, with the assistance of a committee chaired by Chris Hunt of Fredrikson & Byron. The committee spent about 3,500 hours—yes, you read that right—over 4 and ½ years preparing the bill. Christopher Burns, attorney and Chair of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Group at […]

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