The Minnesota Electronic Wills Act
On March 30, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed the Minnesota Electronic Wills Act, which, as the name sounds and as is discussed below, provides for the remote, electronic execution of ...
RECENT ARTICLES
State of Minnesota Soon to Ban Noncompete Agreements
On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed an Omnibus Labor Bill. If Governor Walz signs the bill, as expected, ...
Minnesota Supreme Court: Restrictive Covenants In Community Associations
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Windcliff Association, Inc. v. Breyfogle that has important implications for homeowners' ...
Federal Trade Commission Proposes New Regulation Regarding Noncompete Agreements
The FTC has proposed a new regulation that would ban the use of noncompete agreements in employment. Read it here. ...
Understanding Owners’ Rights to Access Association Records in Colorado
It is an issue that every community association faces: homeowner requests for association documents. But what are homeowners entitled to ...
WIN: Insurance Company Must Pay for Depreciation after Litigation Delays
SJJ attorneys Tim Johnson and Brad Hammond recently won a decision in the Minnesota Federal District Court requiring that an ...
Be Prepared: Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax filing deadlines (April 15 for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs; March 15 for S-corporations) are rapidly approaching. With 2022’s financials ...
Be Prepared: Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax filing deadlines (April 15 for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs; March 15 for S-corporations) are rapidly approaching. With 2022’s financials ...
SJJ Victory at the Minnesota Court of Appeals: Round Two
Smith Jadin Johnson attorneys Steve Moore and Charles Austinson collaborated again to achieve victory at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, ...
WIN: Insurance Company Must Pay for Depreciation after Litigation Delays
SJJ attorneys Tim Johnson and Brad Hammond recently won a decision in the Minnesota Federal District Court requiring that an ...
Colorado Policyholders: A Claim for Unreasonable Delay or Denial of Benefits is a Fight Worth Having
During the course of an insurance company’s adjustment of a claim, policyholders tend to deal only with the insurance adjuster ...
The Minnesota Supreme Court Guts Code Coverage for Policyholders
The Minnesota Supreme Court published its decision in St. Matthews v. State Farm. The case involved whether an insurance company ...
Another Win at the Minnesota Supreme Court on Behalf of Policyholders
Smith Jadin Johnson recently won another case at the Minnesota Supreme Court advancing policyholder’s rights. In Else v. Auto-Owners Ins. ...
Midwest Victories: SJJ Protects Ohio Policyholders’ Right to Appraisal in Two Recent Cases
Smith Jadin Johnson attorneys Tim Johnson and Anthony Remick recently won two important decisions regarding insurance appraisals in Ohio that ...
Another Court of Appeals Victory: Insurance Company Must Pay for Additional Costs Associated with Ordinance & Law Enforcement
Smith Jadin Johnson attorneys Alexander Jadin and Bradley Hammond won another case at the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding ...
Ross Hussey Scores Another Trial Win
Ross Hussey recently secured an award after a two-day trial in McCloud County District Court of approximately $230,000 on behalf ...
Wisconsin Residential Contractors: Protect Yourself from ATCP Claims
Wisconsin’s home improvement consumer protection laws were created under the purview of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer ...
Tips for Property Owners Beginning Large Construction Projects
When entering into a construction contract it is important that a property owner take measures to protect themselves from possible issues that may arise. The most common disputes between property owners and contractors stem from miscommunication. It may have to do with the scope of work performed, the cost of the project, or the amount of time for completion. Below…
All Minnesota General Contractors Must Create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
The Department of Labor and Industry Requires All Minnesota General Contractors Create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Following Governor Walz’s executive orders, all General Contractors in Minnesota (and any business engaged in the construction trades), must develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. The plan will outline the obligations and duties of the General Contractor in regards to the safety of…
COVID-19 Preparedness Plans in Minnesota for General Contractors
Under the Governor’s Order on April 23, 2020, some businesses can re-open their offices so long as they follow certain guidelines set by the State to create a safe workplace. Specifically, office workers who are essential to the business can return to work if they follow a “preparedness plan” that addresses the following issues: Work from home is required whenever…
Top 5 Ways to Avoid Risk as a General Contractor
Working as a general contractor can be quite rewarding. You get to be your own boss, set your own hours, pick the projects you want and work with your hands. However, you are also at risk of finding yourself accused of making mistakes or doing a bad job by a client after you have already done the work on their…
Minnesota Supreme Court: Restrictive Covenants In Community Associations
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Windcliff Association, Inc. v. Breyfogle that has important implications for homeowners' ...
Thinking Beyond Foreclosure: Practical Alternatives for Community Associations
The power of sale to foreclose is an incredible tool of recovery available to creditors. However, community associations have practical ...
Board Duties: Concentrating on Obligations Ensures Consistency
Association boards of directors are responsible for operating their communities consistent with the community’s governing documents (the Articles of Incorporation, ...
HO-6 Insurance: An Update for Owners and Associations
Having the right insurance coverage can give homeowners peace of mind in otherwise stressful circumstances. When it comes to Homeowner ...
MCIOA: Member Records and Requests for Community Associations
One of the primary functions of a community association is to operate and maintain the property. In doing so, the ...
Regulating Noise and Nuisance in Community Associations
Living in a community association, by its nature, involves existing alongside other people, which in turn means sometimes enduring annoyances ...
State of Minnesota Soon to Ban Noncompete Agreements
On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed an Omnibus Labor Bill. If Governor Walz signs the bill, as expected, ...
Federal Trade Commission Proposes New Regulation Regarding Noncompete Agreements
The FTC has proposed a new regulation that would ban the use of noncompete agreements in employment. Read it here. ...
Be Prepared: Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax filing deadlines (April 15 for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs; March 15 for S-corporations) are rapidly approaching. With 2022’s financials ...
Minnesota Tax Elections: LLCs & S-Corp
At Smith Jadin Johnson, a discussion point that often arises when meeting with new business clients is whether to make ...
Minnesota Businesses: Amended Statutes Regarding Reasonable Accommodations for New Parents
Starting on January 1, 2022, many employers in Minnesota will have to re-examine their policies regarding expecting and new parents. ...
Colorado – Marshall Fires: Insurance Claims for Impacted Businesses
Businesses must be aware of several key steps as they begin the process of recovery with their insurance carriers in ...
The Minnesota Electronic Wills Act
On March 30, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed the Minnesota Electronic Wills Act, which, as the name sounds and as ...
It’s Time to Check Your Beneficiary Designations
Many people hold a good portion of their net worth, including most of their liquid assets, in accounts that have ...
Who’s in Charge Now? Succession Planning for Business Owners
If you are the owner of a business, you know that you can’t run it forever. Like taxes, retirement and ...
Probate Part III – When Probate Should Be Avoided
In part three of Smith Jadin Johnsons series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a revocable trust as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently avoiding probate, makes the most sense. Depending on the type of estate, revocable trusts can be the preferred method of asset distribution for estates that are complex and for estates that require control over assets and/or privacy.
Probate Part II – When Probate Is Preferred
In part two of Smith Jadin Johnson’s series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a will as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently probating the will, makes the most sense.
Probate Part 1: Is It a Four Letter Word?
For many people, when they hear the word “probate” it conjures up something to be avoided like the plague. Most of that stems from misunderstanding the process and procedure. This is the first of a three part series in which Smith Jadin Johnson explains when probate is appropriate for clients and when it should be avoided.