– Legal Insights –
Twin Cities-area businesses are experiencing a significant uptick in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notices of Inspection (NOI) requiring them to produce all relevant Form I-9s for their employees. Recent shifts in federal immigration enforcement have led to a significant change in how U.S. DHS initiates audits. While NOI were...
Filter By:
Strategic questions are critical in negotiations, and are far too often ignored. Strategic questions are the difference between playing chess and playing checkers. Chess masters play many moves ahead. Strategic questions are a great way to gather information and gain concessions from the other side. A strategic question is one...
With a push by the Democratic party to return federal estate taxes to their historic norms, taxpayers need to act now before Congress passes legislation that could adversely impact their estates. Currently, the federal estate and gift tax exemption is set at $11.58 million per taxpayer. Assets included in a...
This article provides guidance for Minnesota therapists who would like to provide remote therapy to clients in other states. The Covid-19 pandemic has produced an increased demand for therapy while making it unsafe to conduct therapy in-person. These contrary realities have led to a real-life experiment regarding the effectiveness of...
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has thrown everyone for a loop. While unemployment rates are slowing dropping, they are still well above where they were pre-COVID-19. Millions of people have been furloughed or laid off. Many are underemployed, earning far less than they were at their pre-COVID jobs. Regardless of their...
The Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (“GRAT”) is one of the leading wealth transfer techniques. It is ideal for clients who want to move wealth out of their estate without paying taxes, and it is a remarkably simple concept. Now may be the best time to incorporate a GRAT into your...
Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, has launched its COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program. The program provides housing assistance payments to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness and maintain housing stability. To qualify, households must meet all of the following criteria: Be a Minnesota resident. Be a renter or homeowner with...
As we have noted in the past, the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry has required all businesses to implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (“COVID Plan”). Under recent Executive Order 20-81 issued on July 22, 2020, all COVID Plans must now be revised. Specifically, all businesses must: Update their COVID...
During these challenging economic times, many owners are failing to pay assessments and may even threaten to file, or actually file for bankruptcy protection. Many associations mistakenly believe that unit assessments are fully discharged when an owner files for bankruptcy protection. Pursuant to Section 523 (a) (16) of the U.S....
UPDATED 11/20/2020 Effective Friday November 20th at 11:59 p.m. through Friday, December 18th at 11:59 p.m., the Minnesota Department of Health recommends cancelling all performances and rehearsals that would involve in-person attendance. In any event, no audience is permitted in the concert venue if performances proceed. Remember that all organizations...
On June 3, 2020, the Minnesota Supreme Court in Kenneh v. Homeward Bound, Inc., affirmed the “severe or pervasive” standard, which employees must establish in workplace harassment or hostile work environment cases under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). This standard has been used and applied in Minnesota under the...