Norm | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys - Part 2

Norm

January 23, 2018

A New Year Brings New Beginnings…Including Divorce?

In North Dakota, the month of January often brings with it the uncertainty of frigid temperatures, changing weather conditions, treacherous driving conditions and increased car accidents.  But along with that uncertainty, the new year also brings with it the promise of new beginnings.  Many people take the opportunity to reflect […]
January 19, 2018

What You Need to Know About Minnesota’s Buffer Law

The buffer law in Minnesota creates new “buffer” layers for vegetation of up to 50 feet along lakes, rivers, and stream. A buffer refers to vegetated land that exists alongside a stream or river. The reason for these buffers is that they help to filter out nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. […]
January 17, 2018

Criminal Vehicular Homicide in Minnesota

In October of 2016, a motor vehicle operator drifted into the opposing lane of traffic of County Road 3 near Kilkenny, Minnesota and was involved in a head-on crash with a motorcyclist. The police report written at the scene reported that the motor vehicle operator had a blood alcohol concentration […]
January 11, 2018

Estate Planning for Minnesota Farm Owners

Estate planning for farm owners involves some unique issues which often revolve around making sure that a farm is properly passed down to a family’s next generation. It is important that the farm can be passed in an economical manner because farm families depend on the farm to generate revenue […]
January 9, 2018

Auto Worker Killed in Minnesota Accident

An auto mechanic in Montevideo, Minnesota recently died during an accident that occurred while on the job. The accident occurred when the owner of the auto shop stepped on a truck’s accelerator causing a worker to be pinned between the pickup truck and a tool chest that was located against […]
January 5, 2018

Increase of Synthetic Drug Seizures in Minnesota

In 2017, there were a record number of synthetic drugs seized in Minnesota. This forced law enforcement agencies in the state to create a number of new procedures regarding how drug cases are handled. These laws have redefined the ways in which law enforcement officers in the state of Minnesota […]
December 28, 2017

North Dakota’s Prohibition on Non-Competition Agreements Prevails Over Choice of Law and Forum Selection Clauses

As most corporate and commercial litigation attorneys in this state already know, North Dakota law provides that a non-competition agreement is void as a matter of law except in a few, limited circumstances. See N.D.C.C. § 9-08-06. Enterprising attorneys have attempted to circumvent the prohibition on non-competition agreements by utilizing […]
December 18, 2017

Firearms and North Dakota Restraining Orders

The North Dakota Supreme Court recently invalidated a restraining order that was filed against a gun owner by his former partner. This decision was based on the North Dakota Supreme Court’s finding that a North Dakota district court incorrectly upheld a disorderly conduct restraining order against a person who carried […]
December 12, 2017

Minnesota Land Transfers

Revised Minnesota statute (272.162) gives counties the same power as municipalities and townships to review land divisions and transfers. This power is most often used to deny inaccurate land transfers or illegal subdivisions. This law will help the state better conform with land regulations and result in landowners receiving additional […]
December 4, 2017

Eminent Domain Law in North Dakota and Minnesota

Each year in North Dakota and Minnesota, there are a number of eminent domain cases that occur. Eminent domain refers to the body of law that authorizes the government to take the property belonging to individuals. Some of the most common reasons eminent domain is used to build highway projects, […]
November 30, 2017

Signs that a Spouse is Hiding Assets

When it comes to divorce, both Minnesota and North Dakota are equitable distribution states in which marital property is divided between spouses in a manner that a court of law decides is fair. In these types of divorces, it is not uncommon for former spouses to hide assets from one […]
November 22, 2017

What You Need to Know About Easement Laws

Sometimes, property owners lack the ability to reasonably access either a portion of their own land or public land without crossing onto another person’s property. Easements, however, grant property owners these rights by establishing that the individual has an interest in the use but does not own the land over […]
November 17, 2017

The Dangers of Fatigued Driving in North Dakota and Minnesota

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that at least a third of adults in the United States fail to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Statistics have also been compiled by the CDC about each state. In North Dakota, the CDC reports that 32% of […]
November 14, 2017

Reasons Why Younger Individuals Should Create Estate Plans

Even though many people believe that estate planning should only be considered by older adults, there are some particular reasons why younger individuals should begin estate planning. Each year, a large number of young adults in North Dakota and Minnesota experience unforeseen events that would greatly benefit from the existence […]
November 10, 2017

Do Not Resuscitate Orders in North Dakota and Minnesota

In 1991, Congress passed into law the Patient Self-Determination Act, which requires hospitals to respect an individual’s health care decisions. North Dakota and Minnesota are just two of the 49 states that permit an individual’s loved ones to make decisions in the case of incapacity. As a result, it is […]
November 6, 2017

New Requirement for Cities in Minnesota with Electronic Notification Systems

In accordance with a new law in the state of Minnesota, cities with electronic notification systems are required to provide a 10-day notice of most proposed ordinances. After being signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 23, 2017, this measure became effective on August 1, 2017. This law is […]
November 2, 2017

Knowingly Damaging a Public Safety Motor Vehicle in Minnesota

On August 1, 2017, several new laws became effective in the state of Minnesota. Some of these new laws relate to cases involving damage to public safety vehicles. It is important for individuals in Minnesota who have been charged with such an offense to understand some of the essential details […]
October 31, 2017

Minnesota Supreme Court Throws Out Law Against Disorderly Conduct At Meetings

The Minnesota Supreme Court recently ruled against a disorderly conduct law that applies to the behavior of individuals who disrupt public meetings. The case in question concerned a Little Falls resident who was charged with disorderly conduct after the woman moved her chair closer to the city council at a […]
October 26, 2017

New Minnesota Law Makes Impersonating Military Members a Misdemeanor

The penalties for individuals who impersonate law enforcement officers are now much tougher in the state of Minnesota due to a new law. Groups responsible for gathering statistics have decided the current number of individuals who impersonate military members to be an epidemic. There are several reasons why individuals choose […]