estate planning

Experienced Estate Planning Lawyer in Rochester, MN — Protecting Your Legacy


Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and secure your legacy. At Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices, LLC, we specialize in providing comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families in Rochester, MN. Whether you need a simple will, a complex trust, tax reduction strategies, or guidance on healthcare directives, our experienced team is here to help.

We understand that every client’s situation is unique, which is why we take the time to get to know your personal and financial goals. By working closely with you, we can craft a tailored strategy that safeguards your assets, minimizes taxes, and prevents potential disputes.

Rochester Estate Planning Attorney

Our Estate Planning Services


At Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices, LLC, we provide a full range of estate planning services designed to help you protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend. Here’s a closer look at the services we provide:

Wills

A well-crafted will provides clear instructions for how your assets should be distributed after your passing. Our Rochester estate planning lawyers help you create a will that reflects your personal wishes and ensures your loved ones are taken care of.

Key aspects of a will include:

  • Distribution of Assets
  • Guardianship for Minors
  • Designating a Personal Representative

Creating a will gives you the peace of mind that your estate will be handled in a way that aligns with your values, reducing the likelihood of disputes among heirs and ensuring your wishes are honored.

Trusts

Trusts offer a more flexible and strategic way to manage and protect your assets. They can be an essential tool in minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring that your wealth is distributed according to your specific instructions. 

We work with a broad range of trusts to address different estate planning goals, including:

  • Revocable Trusts
  • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Generation-Skipping Trusts
  • Supplemental Needs Trusts
  • Charitable Trusts

We will guide you through the process of selecting and establishing the right type of trust for your situation, helping you achieve your estate planning goals with confidence.

Powers of Attorney & Health Care Directives

Planning for the unexpected is just as important as planning for the future. We help you create durable powers of attorney and health care directives that ensure your financial and medical decisions are handled by someone you trust if you become incapacitated. 

Pre-Marital & Post-Nuptial Agreements

If you’re getting married or are already married, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can provide clarity and protection for both parties when it comes to your assets. These agreements outline how assets will be handled during the marriage and in the event of divorce, helping to avoid future conflicts and ensuring that your estate is protected. Our team will guide you through this sensitive process with care and precision, ensuring that both parties are treated fairly.

Lifetime Gifting Strategies

Lifetime gifting is an effective way to reduce the size of your taxable estate while helping loved ones during your lifetime. We assist clients in developing gifting strategies that comply with IRS rules and maximize the benefits for both you and your beneficiaries. Whether you want to help your children with education costs, support a charitable cause, or simply pass on your wealth gradually, we help you make informed decisions that fit into your overall estate plan.

Preserve Your Wealth and Protect Your Heirs from Estate Taxes

Without proper planning, estate taxes can take a significant portion of what you intend to pass on to your loved ones. An estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. Minnesota is one of a handful of states with an estate tax. Minnesota’s estate tax exemption for 2024 is $3,000,000. The Minnesota estate tax rate is between 13-16% of the excess over the Minnesota estate tax exemption. The federal estate tax and gift exemption is $13,610,000 for 2024. The federal tax is imposed at a top marginal rate of 40%. These taxes can significantly reduce the amount passed on to your heirs. However, with strategic estate planning, you can minimize or even avoid estate taxes.

Why Choose Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices, LLC?

At Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices, LLC, we take a personalized and comprehensive approach to estate planning, designed to meet your unique needs and goals. We understand that estate planning can be a complex and emotional process, which is why we focus on making it as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

  • Customized Estate Planning Solutions – We believe that no two estates are alike. We take the time to understand your family, assets, and long-term wishes, and create an estate plan that is tailored to your specific circumstances, no matter how simple or complex your needs may be. 
  • Experience You Can Trust – For more than 20 years, our law firm has served the residents of Rochester and the Twin Cities, handling a wide range of estate planning needs. Our in-depth knowledge of Minnesota law and estate planning strategies ensures that your assets are protected and your loved ones are provided for.
  • Long-Term Support – As your life changes, your estate plan may need adjustments, and we’re here to provide ongoing support. Whether it’s a change in family circumstances or new assets, we are available to update your estate planning documents and make sure your plan continues to meet your needs and provide peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning

A will and a trust serve different purposes. While a trust can help avoid probate and manage assets during your lifetime, a will ensures that any assets not included in the trust are distributed according to your wishes. A will can also name guardians for minor children, something a trust cannot do.

Probate is the legal process of validating a will and distributing an estate after someone passes away. It can be time-consuming and costly, but it’s often avoidable with proper estate planning. By using tools like revocable trusts, joint ownership, Transfer On Death Deeds, and beneficiary designations, we can help you minimize or avoid probate, ensuring a smoother transition of your assets to your beneficiaries.

You should update your estate plan whenever significant life changes occur, such as the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, or the acquisition of new assets. It’s also wise to review your estate plan periodically, even if no major changes have happened, to ensure it still reflects your current wishes and legal requirements.

Take Control of Your Future Today


Don’t leave your legacy to chance. The Rochester estate planning lawyers at Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices, LLC, are here to help you secure your future and protect what matters most. Whether you’re just starting to think about estate planning or need to update your current plan, we can create a plan that gives you peace of mind, knowing your future is in good hands.

Call (507) 288-3156 today to schedule a consultation and speak to an experienced estate planning attorney in Rochester or the Twin Cities.


Protect your legacy with Rodney D. Anderson Law Offices. Our experienced estate planning attorneys in Rochester, MN, will create a personalized plan to ensure your assets are distributed as you wish.

address

206 South Broadway, Suite 404
Rochester, MN 55904

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