Blog

Estate Planning in Different Eras
Estate Planning in Different Eras
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,...
The True Cost of DIY Wills and Trusts
The True Cost of DIY Wills and Trusts
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...
Women, Wealth & Legacy: Why Estate Planning is a Women’s Issue
Women, Wealth & Legacy: Why Estate Planning is a Women’s Issue
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...
Why Women Should Start Long-Term Care Planning Early
Why Women Should Start Long-Term Care Planning Early
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...
Peace of Mind for Parents in Unpredictable Times
Peace of Mind for Parents in Unpredictable Times
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...
From Deer Camp to the Law Office: Guiding Families Through Firearm Trusts
From Deer Camp to the Law Office: Guiding Families Through Firearm Trusts
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...
It Takes a Team: How Thoughtful Referrals Create Loyal Clients and Seamless Closings
It Takes a Team: How Thoughtful Referrals Create Loyal Clients and Seamless Closings
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....
Top 5 Things to Know About Prepaid Funeral Planning
Top 5 Things to Know About Prepaid Funeral Planning
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...
Legacy Is About So Much More Than Money
Legacy Is About So Much More Than Money
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...
The Great Minnesota Get-Your-Estate-Together
The Great Minnesota Get-Your-Estate-Together
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...
Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Tips for the Sandwich Generation
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...
Schromen Law’s Global Impact: Giving Back in Cambodia
Schromen Law’s Global Impact: Giving Back in Cambodia
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...
Estate Planning for Peace of Mind: A Personal Story
Estate Planning for Peace of Mind: A Personal Story
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...
5 Estate Planning Spring-Cleaning Tips
5 Estate Planning Spring-Cleaning Tips
Spring Cleaning Your Estate Plan: A Fresh Start for Peace of Mind Spring is the perfect time to declutter, refresh, and reset—not just for your home but also for your estate plan. Just like organizing your space makes life easier, reviewing and updating your estate documents ensures your wishes are clear and your loved ones...
5 Ways to Ensure Your Plan is Ready in 2025
5 Ways to Ensure Your Plan is Ready in 2025
As we welcome the new year, it’s an ideal time to give your estate plan a thorough checkup. Whether your goal is to protect loved ones, minimize taxes, or preserve your legacy, regular reviews can help you keep pace with life’s changes and ensure your wishes are upheld. Below are five key areas you’ll want...
Faces of Our Client Community: Randy Hallstrom
Faces of Our Client Community: Randy Hallstrom
“Nancy always said baking is a science,” Randy Hallstrom says of his late wife. “Cooking you can do whatever you want, but baking? That’s a science.” After more than 30 years as a Home Economics/Family & Consumer Science teacher, Nancy would know! By that definition, estate planning might be more like baking than cooking. Deviating...
“Protective, Empowered, Life-Changing”: The Impact of Free Legal Advice on Domestic Violence Survivors
“Protective, Empowered, Life-Changing”: The Impact of Free Legal Advice on Domestic Violence Survivors
Rachel Schromen and Camry Fielders, attorneys at Schromen Law, LLC, both have extensive experience as volunteers with the Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center. They share their passion for DALAC and urge others to get involved with this important work. For the month of October, Schromen Law is hosting a fundraiser for DALAC. Contact us for...