News | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys - Part 14

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February 8, 2018
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Minnesota Changes Estate Tax Requirement

Only one of 18 states, Minnesota still imposes inheritance taxes in addition to the federal estate tax levy. Minnesota’s estate tax, however, recently became much weaker. The state’s current budget includes $650 million in tax cuts, which involves increasing the estate tax exemption to $2.4 million for the year of […]
February 6, 2018
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Worker Electrocuted in Accident

Authorities are currently in the process of investigating how an accident occurred that resulted in a worker being killed. At the time the accident occurred, the worker was repairing a high voltage electrical cord for potato unloading equipment when the man was electrocuted.
January 31, 2018
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100 Pounds of Marijuana Results in Drug Trafficking Arrests

In Windom, Minnesota, an effort between several law enforcement agencies to confiscate approximately 100 pounds of marijuana resulted in two drug-related arrests. The arrest occurred when a Minnesota state law enforcement officer was informed by the Worthington Police Department of two vehicles with California license plates that were believed to […]
January 29, 2018
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The Importance of Child Support in Minnesota

Children in the state of Minnesota require financial and emotional assistance as well as support from both parents. To achieve these goals, the state’s child support program helps parents who are no longer together make sure that there are adequate finances to support the child. Not only does child support […]
January 25, 2018
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Man Using Snow Blower Killed by Skidding Vehicle

A man in northern Michigan who was using a snowblower was recently struck and killed by a vehicle that slid across the man’s road. The accident occurred outside of Kingsley. The Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office reports that the driver was traveling westbound when she lost control of her vehicle, which […]
January 23, 2018
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 […]
January 3, 2018
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The Risk of Farm Accidents

A serious farming accident occurred in Farwell, Minnesota at the end of October. A worker was found deceased in a farm field in the area. Law enforcement responded to the accident and determined that the worker had been chisel plowing when he was run over by the plow and dragged. […]
December 28, 2017
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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 26, 2017
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Minnesota Revenge Porn Laws

December 20, 2017
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What You Need to Know About Motor Vehicle Insurance

December 18, 2017
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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 14, 2017
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The Danger of Wrong Way Accidents

December 12, 2017
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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 6, 2017
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McKenna’s Law

Signed into law in May of 2017 and effective on August 1, 2017, McKenna’s Law is designed to make sure that all children in Minnesota in need of protection or services have access to adequate legal representation. Written by Senator Jerry Relph, the bill passed unanimously in both the House […]
December 4, 2017
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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
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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 28, 2017
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Repeat DWI Offenses

November 22, 2017
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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
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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
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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 […]