Firm News

Katy Graves highlights how the practice of family law has changed since she began practicing in the 1980s when family court cases were often lengthy and resolved by court decision. “Family Matters” was published in Best Lawyer Business Edition magazine, summer 2016.

Super Lawyers Magazine named more than half of Henson Efron attorneys to the 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists for the state of Minnesota. Family law attorney Alan C. Eidsness was recognized in the top 10 of the overall Minnesota Super Lawyers list, a distinction he has received nine times since 2005. For the…

Christopher Burns with Lloyd D. Stern highlight the concept of trust decanting, a new and useful vehicle, but it is not without its own traps and pitfalls, which warrant moderation and a careful approach. “Pour carefully when decanting irrevocable trusts” was published in Minnesota Lawyer on June 27, 2016.  

New global networking group for women comes to the Twin Cities. The new local chapter of Ellevate will kick off with a June 21 event. Minnesota women play an ever more prominent role in business, but making critical connections across sectors can sometimes be difficult. In June, the Twin Cities is officially launching a local…

Are you ready for your close-up? When the news broke after Prince’s April 21 death that the music superstar apparently didn’t leave a will, prospective heirs to his fortune started coming out of the woodwork. And when that happened, news outlets far and wide did likewise, wanting to talk to Twin Cities probate and estate…

Henson Efron announced that six of its attorneys were honored by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) as North Star Lawyers, recognizing their commitment to pro bono service in 2015. Each attorney volunteered 50 hours or more of their time serving low income Minnesotans last year. Christopher J. Burns – Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Jaime…

Christopher Burns interviews with ABC News Good Morning America and KSTP-TV Channel 5 About Minnesota Law and Prince’s Estate. Hearing for Prince’s Estate Scheduled for Monday to Decide Latest on Inheritance  Eva Pilgrim May 1, 2016 Probate Firm Says Another Heir Could Be Named to Prince’s Estate  Brett Hoffland  April 29, 2016      

Tax attorney, Stephen Hopkins, Speaks with Reuters’ Reporters, Ben Klayman and Alex Dobuzinskis about Minnesota law and predicted a long, drawn-out case over Prince’s assets. Prince died without a will, six siblings likely to share fortune   Tue Apr 26, 2016   Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters Still no will found for Prince as Minnesota court opens probate process   Mon…

Prince’s Sister says Musician Had No Will, Files Paperwork Asking for Special Administrator Prince’s sister says the superstar musician had no known will, she’s filed paperwork asking that a special administrator be appointed by the court. Attorney Christopher Burns says that basically means a large financial institution will come in and do inventory of Prince’s…

Clark Opdahl talks with Jamie Yuccas, CBS News, and Eva Pilgrim, ABC News, about how Prince’s estate might be handled according to Minnesota Law if Prince died without a Will. By Jamie Yuccas, CBS News, April 23, 2016 Days after Prince’s death, many questions left unanswered   By Eva Pilgrim, ABC News, April 24, 2016 Prince’s Friends,…

The Hennepin County Bar Association named Lisa T. Spencer to this two-year position beginning April 1. The charge of the district ethics committees is to investigate complaints of lawyers’ alleged misconduct and make recommendations to the director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility . The Fourth District Ethics Committee (4th DEC), for Hennepin County,…

Three Henson Efron women attorneys are included in the 2016 Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota list by Super Lawyers. The list includes family law attorneys Kathryn Graves, Melissa Nilsson and Lisa Spencer, who was also named to the 2016 Top 50 Women list and the Top 100 Overall list, designations made to attorneys who received the highest point…

Christopher Burns along with Grant Walker of Wells Fargo will present “Charitable Planning: Tools and Practice” on April 22 over lunch at the Minnesota State Bar Association. Attend in person or participation by teleconference and webcast is available.

Henson Efron, P.A. is pleased to announce Allison M. Plunkett has joined the firm as an associate practicing in business law, and Eric M. Friske joined the firm as an associate practicing in litigation. Allison advises and represents businesses and individuals in a variety of transactions, including choice of business entity, governance structure and operating…

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…

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…

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…

      Henson Efron elected business litigator John N. Bisanz, Jr. as shareholder and business litigation attorney David Bradley Olsen for a three-year term as a member of the firm’s management committee.