Every person who passes away dies with an “estate,” consisting of their worldly goods and possessions. However, not every person needs to have a probate. Probate comes from the Latin probare, meaning “to test” or “to prove.”[1] In most cases, probate involves...
Lawyers Serving North Dakota And Minnesota
Since 1939
Estate Planning/Will Preparation
ESTATE PLANNING: 101
You’ve heard about estate planning, but the thought of planning for your death and beyond is uncomfortable. By having your attorney prepare a few basic documents, you can ensure your wishes are met and family members are not faced with difficult decisions. Estate...
Gift and Estate Tax Planning Under the Current Political Climate
Partisan politics can create uncertainty in a number of areas that affect our daily lives, including gift and estate tax planning. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, effective January 1, 2018, had a drastic impact on gift and estate tax planning. In 2017, the federal...
Estate Planning for the Young Adult or College Student
Often, people pursue creating an estate plan or updating their estate plan when they have children or are approaching their retirement years. Their estate plan can involve powers of attorney, health care directives, Wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations on...
Planning Ahead with a Will
Estate Planning Oftentimes people either do not believe they need a Will, or delay creating a Will because they do not like to think about the finality of estate planning. People who decide not to prepare a Will have failed to consider the potential consequences of...
Estate Planning, Probate, & Trust Law Terminology Explained
At Ohnstad Twichell, we know that estate planning and will preparation are often a last-minute thought. Staying ahead of the curve and preparing for the inevitable can help relieve some of the pressure during life’s difficult moments. In order to successfully...
Your 2018 Guide to New North Dakota Trust & Estate Legislation
Directed Trusts Although the trustee is responsible for managing the trust assets, allocating trust powers among multiple persons (individuals or organizations) can provide a trust with greater flexibility and oversight. Appointing co-trustees to serve jointly or...
Estate Planning: Preparing for Retirement and Transferring Farm Assets
Planning what will happen after your death can be a difficult thing to consider. However, regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, it is vital to have a plan in place sooner rather than later. Just as Noah started building the ark before it started raining,...
Ohnstad Twichell Attorneys Lead Effort to Amend North Dakota Trust Law
During the North Dakota spring legislative session, Ohnstad Twichell President Marshall W. McCullough, and associate attorney Jacob L. Geiermann, spearheaded an effort of trust and estate attorneys and trust departments from across the state to address a problem with...
5 Greatest Misconceptions About Estate Planning
1. My net worth is too small for an estate plan. Regardless of your net worth, a comprehensive estate plan ensures that your finances are managed in the event the you become incapacitated or incompetent and that your financial goals are met after you die. If you die...