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– Legal Insights –

This article is the second in a series about changes in the MCIOA. In this series of articles, we are analyzing the different provisions of SF 1750, which made numerous changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (“MCIOA”). With the exception of a few changes in definitions, which were...

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Call me a law nerd if you want, but I spend a lot of time thinking about legal strategies. I know my clients will thank me for it. Here’s something advisors need to consider: Taken from a tax standpoint, would your high-networth clients be better off making large charitable contributions...

Fall is on its way and with it comes the annual ritual of the “fall clean up”. The busy season of the spring and summer may be winding down or new types of project may be on the horizon. Either way, for contractors, an annual “fall clean up” for contractors...

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 48% of owner-occupied homes and 26.2% of rental homes nationwide contained one or more persons age 55 or older. In Minnesota, 24.8% of the State’s population is 55 years of age or older and 22.8% of all households contains at least one person who...

Recently there have been some significant changes to the Landlord/Tenant statute that was enacted at the end of May. As a courtesy to our clients and friends of the firm, we wanted to be sure you knew about these. Below are some of the highlights. Retaining abandoned personal property(504B.271). For...

As condominium owners can attest, the recent economy has not helped the value and marketability of condominiums. Fannie Mae has now implemented new guidelines that can make it yet more difficult to sell condominiums. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) has adopted similar new temporary regulations that went...

Persons involved in the construction industry or with real estate in Minnesota should take note of the following legislative changes to the law, which take effect August 1, 2009. Statutory Implied Warranties Have Become Mandatory Expressed Warranties.The statutory warranties for new construction and remodeling stated in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 327A...

Dear Friends, Clients and Colleagues: I am extremely pleased to have been honored as one of the “40 Under Forty” by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for 2009. This award is especially meaningful because it reinforces the importance of leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and creativity. It’s every company’s goal. It’s an...

Overview of Rules and Regulations. One of the most important issues facing Minnesota community associations is rules and regulations policy and enforcement. Community associations offer their homeowners a unique and desirable neighborhood in which to live. Homeowners choose a community association based on appearance, lifestyle, amenities and maintenance convenience. By...

In today’s construction economy, unpaid subcontractors and suppliers with mechanic’s lien claims often receive notice that the first mortgage holder is foreclosing on the property. The natural question and assumption by the mechanic’s lien holders is “the mortgage company still needs to pay me, right?” Unfortunately, the answer to this...

The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) prohibit discrimination against some protected classes, such as disabled individuals. Normally, a residential housing provider is required to make reasonable accommodations in its policies, procedures and practices to afford a disabled individual with an equal opportunity to...