JEANNE E. MORRIS
Twin Cities Lawyer
ABOUT JEANNE
My calling is to provide service to others. One of my greatest strengths as a lawyer is how well I relate to people. I place a high value on my relationships with others. As a result I have been rewarded with many loyal clients and positive outcomes.
I am a strong client advocate and respected negotiator. I take pride in my keen sense of ethics and high integrity.
BACKGROUND
I engaged in the general practice of law in the Twin Cities in two small law firms from 1986 to 1996. I started Morris Law Firm in 1996 and continued my general law practice.
As a general practitioner, I developed an ability to get up to speed on many areas of law very quickly. As time went on, I gradually narrowed the scope of my practice to the areas of law that are the most rewarding to me.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Estate Planning
I will assist you in getting your legal affairs in order in the event of your incapacity or death.
- Wills
- Trusts
- Financial Powers of Attorney
- Health Care Directives
- Titling Assets
- Gifting Assets
- Naming Death Beneficiaries
- Guardianship
- Conservatorship
Estate Administration
I will guide your legal representatives who, upon your death, manage your assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute your assets according to your wishes.
- Guide Legal Representatives
- Probate
- Trust Administration
- Death Beneficiaries
- Estate Planning for Surviving Spouse
Small Business
I serve as general legal counsel to business owners.
- Contracts
- Leases
- Employee Matters
- Setting up a Business
- Sale and Purchase of Businesses
- Business Succession Planning
ESTATE PLANNING OVERVIEW
The basic objectives of an estate plan is to provide for medical decision-making if you are incapacitated, and for the management and distribution of your assets in the event of your incapacity or death.
Without a valid health care directive and financial power of attorney, your disability or incapacity may require a guardian or conservator to be appointed in a public probate court proceeding to manage your medical decision-making and financial affairs. By signing these two important forms, you will decide who manages your medical decision-making and give that person some direction.
A revocable trust may be used instead of a Will to allow for private asset management and estate administration without a probate proceeding. You can alter, amend or revoke your trust at any time prior to death. While you are alive and have legal capacity, you have complete control over your trust assets. The assets are treated as if they are in your name for income tax purposes. You can add additional assets to the trust or take assets out of the trust at any time. I will help you re-title assets and name death beneficiaries so that your assets pass to beneficiaries according to your wishes.
If you would benefit from estate tax planning, the trust can provide that upon the first death of a married couple a family trust is established and funded with certain assets of the deceased spouse. I will assist you in determining if a family trust will benefit you.