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Partly. Minnesota law automatically revokes many gifts to a former spouse in your will and many beneficiary designations the moment your divorce is final. However, that does not extend to certain beneficiary designations such as your 401(k), your pension, or employer life insurance. Federal law governs those, and it does not revoke anything. David Egelhoff...

August is Make a Will Month – a reminder to complete one of those tasks that is incredibly important, yet remarkably easy to put off. We understand why. Creating a Will requires us to think about things most of us would rather not spend much time thinking about: our own death, the possibility of incapacity,...

Meet Montgomery – though around the office we call him Monty! This sweet little rescue has quickly become part of our team, and we love having him here every day. Monty may be small, but his personality (and his enthusiasm for greeting visitors) is anything but. Monty is a certified therapy dog through Canine Inspired...

Today’s families are beautifully diverse. Families are built through marriage, partnership, adoption, surrogacy, blended relationships, chosen family, co-parenting arrangements, and countless other paths. Yet many estate planning laws and default legal rules haven’t evolved at the same pace as modern family structures. That’s why thoughtful and inclusive estate planning is so important. No matter what...

Your estate plan should grow and change as your life does. Sometimes that means small updates. Other times, it means an overhaul. I’ve done two rounds of estate planning myself – each reflecting a different chapter in my life. Round 1: The “Maxed-Out Me” At the time, I was eight months pregnant, parenting a preschooler,...

In today’s world, you can order groceries, refinance your home, and even create an estate plan online in just a few minutes. With the rise of AI tools and low-cost legal document websites, it can be tempting to click through a questionnaire, download a will or trust, and feel like you’ve checked an important item...

March is Women’s History Month – a time to celebrate the progress women have made while also recognizing the leadership roles women continue to step into across business, community, and family life. One area where that leadership is especially important, yet often overlooked, is estate planning. At Schromen Law, we see every day how central...

Women are often the backbone of care within families – supporting parents, partners, and loved ones through life’s most vulnerable moments. Yet when it comes to their own futures, many women delay long-term care planning until a crisis forces difficult decisions. Statistically, women live longer than men, are more likely to outlive their partners, and...

Periods of uncertainty can heighten anxiety about both the future and the present. For many parents, planning and preparation are grounding ways to regain a sense of stability when circumstances feel unpredictable. One concern parents often raise is the fear of being unexpectedly unavailable and wanting to ensure their child would be cared for without...

Every November, as the air gets crisp and the blaze-orange comes out, I’m reminded of one of my family’s longest-standing traditions: deer camp. Since I was a little girl, my dad has headed up north for deer opener weekend, a ritual that’s been part of my family for generations. For us, deer camp isn’t just...

In real estate, success hinges on the strength of your relationships. Your clients rely on you, of course, but they also depend on the trusted professionals you bring into the process. While many real estate professionals build networks of lenders, inspectors, and insurance agents, one relationship is often overlooked: partnering with an estate planning attorney....

Talking about funeral plans while you’re alive can seem a bit preemptive or like you are “jumping the gun.”  It may even feel like you are somehow jinxing yourself by bringing up the topic! However, what it actually does is provide financial security to your family, allowing loved ones to properly grieve, and providing security...

September always feels like a month of reflection. The long days of summer wind down, children head back to school, and the air begins to carry a hint of fall. Change is everywhere, and with change often comes the reminder that life itself is cyclical. As an estate planning and elder law attorney, September often...

Every August, Minnesotans gather at the State Fair — lovingly called The Great Minnesota Get-Together — for cheese curds, butter sculptures, and memories with family. The Fair is about fun, but it’s also about tradition, planning, and making the most of your time. Estate planning works the same way. With a little preparation, you can...

If you’re part of the “sandwich generation,” you’re likely balancing the needs of your own children while also beginning to care for, and support, aging parents. It’s a season of life that can be both rewarding and overwhelming—and one of the most impactful steps you can take right now is helping ensure your parents have...

At Schromen Law, giving back is not just a seasonal campaign or a line on our website — it’s truly one of our core values. From day one, we’ve believed that a law firm should be a force for good in the community, supporting people in ways that reach far beyond legal documents. Over the...

Both of my parents had severe dementia. Like many adult children, I supported them as they aged and needed increasing assistance and care. Watching my parents navigate these transitions, I found myself asking: “Does this mean I will also have dementia?” “Would my family be OK if something happened to me?” “Does my husband know...