Department of Labor Issues New Rule Regarding Independent Contractors
One of the biggest issues facing companies, especially in the building and remodeling industries, is whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Companies must grant employees different ...
RECENT ARTICLES
District Court of Colorado Revisits Legal Process for Challenging Appraisal Awards
Recently, the district court of Colorado revisited the legal process for challenging an appraisal award. Specifically, the Anita Court clarified ...
Minnesota: Corporate Compliance – Simple Steps to Protecting Assets
Minnesota law requires all businesses to maintain proper corporate formalities. Every business owner knows that one must set up some ...
Concurrent Causation: What to Do When an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Last month, the National Hurricane Center issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California. A watch turned into a ...
Directors and Officers: Helpful Reminders for When Removal Becomes Necessary
While the roles of Directors and Officers are often filled by the same people, there is a technical distinction between ...
Wage and Benefit Liability for Minnesota Construction Contractors
A recent addition to Minnesota wage protection laws impacts construction contractors and their relationship with subcontractors. Contractors are now responsible ...
Department of Labor Announces Potential Change to Overtime Eligibility
On August 30, 2023 the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed regulatory change that would significantly impact which employees ...
Be Prepared: Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax filing deadlines (April 15 for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs; March 15 for S-corporations) are rapidly approaching. With 2022’s financials ...
SJJ Victory at the Minnesota Court of Appeals: Round Two
Smith Jadin Johnson attorneys Steve Moore and Charles Austinson collaborated again to achieve victory at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, ...
District Court of Colorado Revisits Legal Process for Challenging Appraisal Awards
Recently, the district court of Colorado revisited the legal process for challenging an appraisal award. Specifically, the Anita Court clarified ...
Concurrent Causation: What to Do When an Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Last month, the National Hurricane Center issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California. A watch turned into a ...
When Should I Submit a Hail Damage Claim?
Many homeowners debate whether or not to submit hail damage claims to their insurance companies. That could be a big ...
WIN: Insurance Company Must Pay for Depreciation after Litigation Delays
SJJ attorneys Tim Johnson and Brad Hammond recently won a decision in the Minnesota Federal District Court requiring that an ...
Colorado Policyholders: A Claim for Unreasonable Delay or Denial of Benefits is a Fight Worth Having
During the course of an insurance company’s adjustment of a claim, policyholders tend to deal only with the insurance adjuster ...
The Minnesota Supreme Court Guts Code Coverage for Policyholders
The Minnesota Supreme Court published its decision in St. Matthews v. State Farm. The case involved whether an insurance company ...
Wage and Benefit Liability for Minnesota Construction Contractors
A recent addition to Minnesota wage protection laws impacts construction contractors and their relationship with subcontractors. Contractors are now responsible ...
Ross Hussey Scores Another Trial Win
Ross Hussey recently secured an award after a two-day trial in McCloud County District Court of approximately $230,000 on behalf ...
Wisconsin Residential Contractors: Protect Yourself from ATCP Claims
Wisconsin’s home improvement consumer protection laws were created under the purview of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer ...
Tips for Property Owners Beginning Large Construction Projects
When entering into a construction contract it is important that a property owner take measures to protect themselves from possible issues that may arise. The most common disputes between property owners and contractors stem from miscommunication. It may have to do with the scope of work performed, the cost of the project, or the amount of time for completion. Below…
All Minnesota General Contractors Must Create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
The Department of Labor and Industry Requires All Minnesota General Contractors Create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Following Governor Walz’s executive orders, all General Contractors in Minnesota (and any business engaged in the construction trades), must develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. The plan will outline the obligations and duties of the General Contractor in regards to the safety of…
COVID-19 Preparedness Plans in Minnesota for General Contractors
Under the Governor’s Order on April 23, 2020, some businesses can re-open their offices so long as they follow certain guidelines set by the State to create a safe workplace. Specifically, office workers who are essential to the business can return to work if they follow a “preparedness plan” that addresses the following issues: Work from home is required whenever…
Directors and Officers: Helpful Reminders for When Removal Becomes Necessary
While the roles of Directors and Officers are often filled by the same people, there is a technical distinction between ...
Notable Laws Passed in 2023 Affecting Minnesota Community Associations
There have been some recent developments in Minnesota law that are likely to affect Minnesota’s homeowners’ associations and property management ...
Minnesota Supreme Court: Restrictive Covenants In Community Associations
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Windcliff Association, Inc. v. Breyfogle that has important implications for homeowners' ...
Thinking Beyond Foreclosure: Practical Alternatives for Community Associations
The power of sale to foreclose is an incredible tool of recovery available to creditors. However, community associations have practical ...
Board Duties: Concentrating on Obligations Ensures Consistency
Association boards of directors are responsible for operating their communities consistent with the community’s governing documents (the Articles of Incorporation, ...
HO-6 Insurance: An Update for Owners and Associations
Having the right insurance coverage can give homeowners peace of mind in otherwise stressful circumstances. When it comes to Homeowner ...
Department of Labor Issues New Rule Regarding Independent Contractors
One of the biggest issues facing companies, especially in the building and remodeling industries, is whether a worker is an ...
Minnesota: Corporate Compliance – Simple Steps to Protecting Assets
Minnesota law requires all businesses to maintain proper corporate formalities. Every business owner knows that one must set up some ...
Department of Labor Announces Potential Change to Overtime Eligibility
On August 30, 2023 the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed regulatory change that would significantly impact which employees ...
Additional Changes to Labor and Employment Laws in Minnesota
In addition to a ban on new noncompete agreements, Minnesota has enacted a number of new laws that affect employees ...
Let’s Talk Money: A Creditor’s Guide to Effective and Lawful Communciations
Talking about money is complicated. Individual values, expectations and social norms often drive conversations about money. Talking about owing money ...
State of Minnesota Soon to Ban Noncompete Agreements
On May 17, 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed an Omnibus Labor Bill. If Governor Walz signs the bill, as expected, ...
The Minnesota Electronic Wills Act
On March 30, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed the Minnesota Electronic Wills Act, which, as the name sounds and as ...
It’s Time to Check Your Beneficiary Designations
Many people hold a good portion of their net worth, including most of their liquid assets, in accounts that have ...
Who’s in Charge Now? Succession Planning for Business Owners
If you are the owner of a business, you know that you can’t run it forever. Like taxes, retirement and ...
Probate Part III – When Probate Should Be Avoided
In part three of Smith Jadin Johnsons series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a revocable trust as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently avoiding probate, makes the most sense. Depending on the type of estate, revocable trusts can be the preferred method of asset distribution for estates that are complex and for estates that require control over assets and/or privacy.
Probate Part II – When Probate Is Preferred
In part two of Smith Jadin Johnson’s series on probate, this post discusses the scenarios when drafting a will as a client’s main estate planning device, and subsequently probating the will, makes the most sense.
Probate Part 1: Is It a Four Letter Word?
For many people, when they hear the word “probate” it conjures up something to be avoided like the plague. Most of that stems from misunderstanding the process and procedure. This is the first of a three part series in which Smith Jadin Johnson explains when probate is appropriate for clients and when it should be avoided.