In Minnesota, your land is either torrens or abstract title. Torrens or registered title is identified on your deed by having a T before the document number and often the deed will reference Torrens specifically. If your land is Torrens, your land was officially registered through a court proceeding where all your neighbors were served and the Court confirmed that…
When a person experiences a work place injury they are often confused as to what types of benefits they may be entitled to. Quite often I get phone calls and walk-ins wanting some guidance on what an accepted workers’ compensation claim entitles the injured worker to. Given the complexity of temporary total disability benefits, this article will focus solely on…
I represent a lot of landlords around the area and while some are very familiar with the eviction process, others are not. Today’s article will focus on the eviction process and what to expect when a landlord wishes to terminate a lease agreement with a tenant. The most common form of eviction comes from nonpayment of rent, but a tenant…
Associations are a common way to own land in Lakes Country for a couple different reasons. Probably the most common example is to address senior living arrangements where owners want to still own their own home but avoid lawn maintenance and other headaches of single family home ownership. The other common example is shared ownership along lakeshore as it is…
There are many potential issues for building on a lake. Most people understand that there are setback rules for lot lines, roads and lakes. As to lakes, the distances vary depending on the lake classification. Even when you know your classification, the setback is not from the water’s edge. Shorelines move over time so the local zoning authority should have…
This article addresses issues from the standpoint of a prospective buyer, and it’s the first in a series of articles on Common Interest Communities (CICs), homeowners’ associations, and other aspects of planned developments. Our law firm has expertise in the laws governing CICs in Minnesota and assists many area developers, associations, and CIC residents. So, you’ve decided to buy a new…
What comes to mind when we think of a lease agreement is often that first apartment we rented after high school or college. The first lease that I signed was a lengthy document on legal-sized paper with single-spaced paragraphs in small font. It contained words such as ‘term’, ‘security deposit’, ‘possession’, ‘abandonment’, and ‘hold-over’. The amount of rent and when…
In previous articles, we have explained why it is important to have an estate plan and have in place documents such as a will, power of attorney, and health care directive. This article explains what happens when you don’t have a plan in place when you pass away. So, what happens if you die without a will in Minnesota? About…
Many people take title subject to mineral rights or other restrictions. Most people ignore the details and some worry too much. Here’s the basics you should know about your land or property you are looking to buy. Minerals – Many titles, especially in Northern Minnesota, are divided so that one owner has surface rights and another has mineral rights. In…
The following article is on the role of volunteers as board members and officers of community non-profit organizations. Our law firm assists many area community groups with their entity formation, governance, and other legal concerns. Volunteers are an integral part of our small communities. They help out at our churches, schools, and civic groups. Community organizations often ask volunteers for…