Peace of Mind Planning with Yanowitz Law Firm

A will is an essential estate planning document, but putting the wrong things in it can cause confusion, delays, and unintended consequences. This episode explains what does not belong in a will and why certain instructions are better handled elsewhere. You will learn why beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, life insurance, and annuities should never be written directly into a will, a...

Trusts are powerful planning tools, but small missteps can create major problems down the road. This episode walks through seven common and costly mistakes people make with their trusts, including failing to retitle assets, misunderstanding how retirement accounts work, and assuming a trust automatically avoids every risk. You will learn why revocable trusts do not protect assets from nursing home...

Leaving an inheritance to someone who struggles with addiction requires thoughtful planning and careful decision making. This episode explores five key considerations that can help protect both the individual receiving assets and the long-term intentions behind the gift. Topics include deciding how much to leave and whether the inheritance should be equal, greater, or smaller than other beneficiar...

Estate planning is one of the easiest things to put off, yet one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. Starting the new year with an updated will or trust helps ensure your wishes are clear, your loved ones are supported, and unnecessary stress is avoided during an already difficult time. Having a proper estate plan in place can make the process after death simpler, fast...

Buying a home is exciting, but the closing process can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. In this episode, we walk through what a buyer’s closing actually looks like, starting with the purchase agreement and moving step by step through the transaction. You’ll learn how key terms are set, how timelines work, and what happens behind the scenes once an offer is accepted. We explain t...

Letting friends, family, or others use your land for activities like hunting, ATV riding, snowmobiling, or horseback riding may feel informal, but it can carry serious legal risk. In this episode, we explain why written leases are just as important for recreational uses as they are for traditional rentals like homes or farmland. You’ll learn how a properly drafted lease can protect landowners from...

Owning a dental practice brings unique planning challenges, especially when it comes to the future of the business. In this episode, we walk through the key questions every dental practice owner should be asking, including whether to retire, sell, or plan for a transition at death. Without a clear succession plan, families and partners can be left with financial strain and difficult decisions. We...

Many families go out of their way to avoid probate, but why is it such a concern? In this episode, we explain what probate actually involves and why it often takes longer than people expect. From court petitions and hearings to mandatory waiting periods for creditor claims, you’ll learn why even the simplest probate usually lasts at least six months. We also discuss some of the practical headaches...

If you own a business entity in Minnesota, there’s a simple but critical requirement you can’t afford to overlook. In this episode, we explain why annual renewals with the Minnesota Secretary of State are required for entities like LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, limited partnerships, and even assumed names. You’ll learn what happens if this filing is missed, including how an entity can become sta...

After a loved one dies, many families worry they will be personally responsible for unpaid bills and debts. In this episode, we explain the general rule under Minnesota law and why, in most cases, debts belong to the estate, not to family members. Understanding this distinction can prevent unnecessary stress and costly mistakes. We walk through how debts are handled during probate, what happens wh...

Estate taxes can be confusing, especially when both federal and Minnesota rules come into play. In this episode, we break down when estate tax is owed, how deadlines work, and why the timing is very different from regular income taxes. You’ll learn why estate tax is generally due nine months after death and how extensions affect filing but not payment. We also explain key concepts like the marital...

Blended families face unique estate planning risks, and without a clear plan, the results can be devastating. In this episode, we walk through a real world scenario that shows how joint ownership and the lack of an estate plan can unintentionally disinherit children from a prior marriage and leave families shocked by the outcome. You’ll learn how Minnesota’s intestacy laws work when someone dies w...

Many people assume that once they have a will, probate is off the table. In this episode, we clear up that common misconception and explain why a will alone does not avoid probate. You’ll learn what a will actually does, how a personal representative is appointed, and why court involvement is still required even when your wishes are clearly spelled out. We walk through what probate looks like in p...

You’ve probably seen the term per stirpes in an estate plan and wondered what it actually means. In this episode, we break down this common but confusing distribution method in plain English, no Latin degree required. You’ll learn how assets are divided among children and grandchildren when someone passes away and why per stirpes is one of the most widely used approaches. We also compare per stirp...

Transfer on death deeds and beneficiary designations are powerful tools, but they can dramatically change how your estate plan actually works. In this episode, we explain what transfer on death deeds are, how they operate, and why they often override the instructions in your will or trust, sometimes without people realizing it. You’ll learn how assets like real estate, bank accounts, and investmen...

Many business owners are surprised to learn that their business interests can force their estate into probate. In this episode, we explain when probate is required in Minnesota and why it’s often something families try to avoid due to cost, delays, and public court filings. We walk through the most common ways businesses trigger probate, including sole owner businesses, single member LLCs, and imp...

Once a child turns 18, they are legally an adult, even if they’re still relying on their parents for guidance and support. In this episode, we explain why that legal shift makes healthcare directives and powers of attorney essential for college aged children and young adults. You’ll learn how a healthcare directive allows someone to step in and make medical decisions if a young adult can’t speak f...

Many people are surprised to learn their estate plan includes two different powers of attorney. In this episode, we explain why both documents are used and how they work together. Think of them as overlapping tools, each designed to handle different situations and provide flexibility when you need it most. We break down the role of the statutory power of attorney, why banks are comfortable with it...

Today, estate planning is more accessible than ever, with online forms, general practice attorneys, and financial advisors all offering solutions. In this episode, we explore the different ways people create estate plans and why choosing the right approach matters. You’ll hear why estate planning is often compared to do it yourself home repairs, and where that comparison falls short. Unlike a bad...

Easements play a major role in how property can be used, but many owners are unclear on what they actually mean. In this episode, we break down what an easement is, why it exists, and how it allows someone else to use property they do not own. From access to waterfronts and driveways to utilities and shared resources, you’ll learn the most common types of easements and how they function. We also e...

Leaving money to a minor child is common in estate planning, but doing it the wrong way can create expensive and unnecessary court involvement. In this episode, we explain why you should never name a minor child directly as a beneficiary and what can happen if you do. We break down the difference between planning for large inheritances versus smaller, nominal gifts. You’ll learn when a trust makes...

Divorce is a major life event that can dramatically affect your estate plan, often in ways people don’t realize. In this episode, we explain what happens to wills and trusts after a divorce and how Minnesota law automatically treats references to a former spouse. You’ll learn why, even though the law may remove an ex spouse in certain situations, relying on default rules can still create unintende...

Creating an estate plan is only part of the process. In this episode, we discuss what information you should share with your family once your documents are signed. You’ll learn why it’s essential to communicate with the people named in your plan, such as trustees, powers of attorney, and healthcare agents, so they know their roles and where to find important documents. We also cover practical deta...

It’s tempting to make a quick handwritten change to your will or trust when life updates happen, but doing so can create serious legal problems. In this episode, we explain why crossing things out or adding notes directly to your estate planning documents can lead to confusion, disputes, and even invalidate your intended changes after death. You’ll learn what actually makes an amendment legally va...

After a loved one passes away, it’s common for beneficiaries to wonder why distributions haven’t happened yet. In this episode, we explain the behind-the-scenes steps that must be completed before an estate can be wrapped up, starting with final income tax filings and required waiting periods built into the probate process. You’ll learn how creditor claim periods, real estate sales, and the need t...