Blog
August 10, 2017
Most individuals are familiar with prenuptial agreements, but most would be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that the number of postnuptial agreements is on the rise. Postnuptial agreements can greatly help decide the terms of marital separation or divorce. Introduced in 2013, laws concerning […]
August 8, 2017
In what may be the first case of its kind, an Ohio judge has ruled that a defendant’s pacemaker data can be used against the man in his criminal trial. The man is accused of arson and insurance fraud after allegedly starting a fire that damaged his home to the […]
July 31, 2017
A Minneapolis child was struck by a vehicle while crossing 17th Avenue South in Minneapolis and later died from his injuries. Preliminary reports suggest that the child had been dropped off and was crossing the street behind the vehicle that had dropped him off when another vehicle allegedly struck the […]
July 27, 2017
When investigating and preparing a personal injury case, either to submit a claim to an insurance company or to file a personal injury lawsuit, a significant part of the time is used to determine the amount of compensation the injured party should request. The injury victim and/or his or her […]
July 25, 2017
Defending oneself against criminal charges in North Dakota and Minnesota involves not only examining the evidence the prosecution intends to rely upon to establish your guilt for any weaknesses and/or contradictions, but also investigating whether any affirmative defenses may be available to you. Even though a successful affirmative defense results […]
July 19, 2017
In a criminal proceeding, one of the most important decisions that must be made – and a decision in which you have the final say – is whether you will take the stand and testify in your defense. This is a decision that may carry significant benefits as well as […]
July 17, 2017
For those who are not familiar with criminal proceedings in North Dakota and Minnesota, being charged with a crime and running through the criminal justice process can be a new and terrifying experience. Part of what makes this experience so nerve-wracking is the use of terms and phrases with which […]
July 13, 2017
More and more people in North Dakota are again moving into condominiums. Condominiums are managed by condominium associations. These associations act in accordance with the terms and conditions that are described in condominium association bylaws. Because these agreements frequently contain controlling elements, it is important for individuals who wish to […]
July 11, 2017
A trust is an advantageous type of estate planning method for people who are interested in passing assets to others without being part of the probate process. Avoiding the probate process is an attractive option for many people because probate is frequently a lengthy and expensive process. Totten trusts, which […]
July 5, 2017
In a significant number of criminal cases filed in North Dakota, the defense strategy is rather simple: Attack the sufficiency and/or credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses and evidence. In other words, defendants who adopt this defense strategy do not provide an alternate narrative or story of their own, but simply […]
July 3, 2017
Most people are involved in the probate process at some point in their lives. Probate refers to the process that occurs after a person dies and before that person’s estate is divided in accordance with that person’s will. The probate process has the potential to be complicated and can involve […]
June 29, 2017
If you and the other party in your North Dakota personal injury suit cannot settle your personal injury lawsuit, and the case is not disposed of through motions, the case will proceed to trial before a judge or jury. Even though it is rare for personal injury suits to reach […]
June 27, 2017
It is no secret that the vast majority of North Dakota civil lawsuits settle before they ever reach the courtroom. A settlement, in simple terms, is an agreement between two adverse parties wherein the parties agree to settle their differences and resolve the legal dispute between them without the need […]
June 19, 2017
If you have been charged with a felony in North Dakota, one of the early hearings that will be held in your case is known as a preliminary hearing. While the name of this hearing may make the hearing itself sound unimportant, your preliminary hearing can play a significant role […]
June 15, 2017
In many cases, spouses own property jointly which means that property is equally owned by the two individuals. This type of property ownership, however, can create some unique considerations in the event that a spouse dies. A real property attorney at O’Keeffe Attorneys can assist with a number of issues […]
June 13, 2017
One of the most important aspects of purchasing a home in North Dakota is the contract for sale. That is the offer to buy the house, land, or property that the seller is selling. Once both parties have signed the offer, it becomes a legally binding contract, meaning that both […]
June 7, 2017
Individuals who have particularly serious medical conditions have several unique estate planning tools available to them. Special needs trusts allow disabled or seriously ill individuals to become beneficiaries of trusts of unlimited means without affecting eligibility for government assistance, which often contain income thresholds. Establishing a Special Needs Trust Special […]
June 5, 2017
Like every state, North Dakota has its own laws and guidelines regarding buying and selling homes. Home buying and selling is complex in itself, but the laws that govern both processes in the state are equally complex. It is strongly advised to consult an experienced real estate attorney regarding buying […]
June 1, 2017
Contrary to popular belief, there are two ways to legally end a marriage. One is divorce, and the other is through an annulment. Divorce is the legal termination, or ending, of a marriage. An annulment, on the other hand, is completely erasing a marriage. In legal terms, this means that […]
May 30, 2017
When you die without a will, you die intestate. This often happens when an unexpected death occurs or a life is cut too short. In cases of intestacy, your property, assets, possessions, and everything else you leave behind when you die gets distributed based on the laws of the state […]
May 26, 2017
Abby Hammes, a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, recently spent six days in Washington, D.C. as part of the MN/ND/SD Chapter of the ALS Association. Abby’s mother, Renee Bernier, was diagnosed with ALS in January 2015. Pictured below are Abby and her mother with the North Dakota delegates of […]
May 22, 2017
One of the worst and most stressful parts of a divorce or break up is often the matter of child custody. As stressful and confusing as it may be for you, imagine how confused the children must be. In North Dakota, when determining child custody, the courts make their decisions […]
May 19, 2017
Summer is right around the corner, and with it come warm days, long nights, and endless parties, get-togethers, and other social activities. It is only natural that when adults gather together in order to celebrate a holiday (or simply the end of a long and tiring week), alcohol may be […]