We are circling back to our Aug. 21, 2014, post. The subject, as the title says, is mechanic's liens, and when we left off we were talking about what happens in a home sale if a mechanic's lien is filed against the property. Remember, a mechanic's lien relates to...
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What is a conditional use permit as it relates to zoning laws?
In Minneapolis, a conditional use permit is required when a land use application at first glance does not comply with all of the standards and conditions of the zoning ordinance. According to the Land Use and Zoning Overview for Minneapolis, a conditional use permit...
Deal or no deal? The mechanics of a mechanic’s lien p2
We are talking about mechanic's liens and what a homeowner can do about a mechanic's lien against his property. As we said, the liens are for construction work completed but not paid for. The construction firm or the subcontractor can put a lien -- a legal "hold" --...
Deal or no deal? The mechanics of a mechanic’s lien
We saw an episode of a home renovation show on HGTV recently that had an unusual twist. Usually, the contractor finds mold or asbestos in the fixer-upper, or the electrical panel needs to be upgraded to support the modern family's electronics habits. In this episode,...
The Basics of the Small-Estate Affidavit
The basics of the small-estate affidavit are important to know if your loved one passed away with an estate of less than $50,000. The small-estate affidavit is the quickest, cheapest, and simplest method of distribution property in compliance with the probate laws....
More employers are using non-compete agreements
It is not unusual for Twin Cities employers to use non-compete agreements to prevent their employees from taking business secrets and contacts to competitors. Non-compete clauses are often found in employment contracts in the technology sector as well as in those for...
Five Richfield Police Officers Sue the City for Age Discrimination
Five Richfield Police officers are suing the City of Richfield for age discrimination. They say they were denied promotions and special assignments because of their ages. The case was filed in Hennepin County court late last year. It includes Officers Greg Peterson,...
Estate Planning: Formal or Informal Probate and Small Estate
If you want to distribute your loved one's property, you have three methods from which to choose: formal probate, informal probate, and the small-estate affidavit in the estate planning process. The small-estate affidavit is the quickest, cheapest, and simplest...
Minneapolis company sues competitor for stealing trade secrets
Many Twin Cities companies protect their rights to unique products, technologies, and services by registering trademarks, filing patents and obtaining copyrights. Companies also may ask their employees to sign non-compete agreements in order to protect a business from...
Remember to Send the 21-Day Letter After Your Tenant Leaves the Property!
If you withhold any portion of a security deposit, Minnesota law requires that you send a written statement to your tenants within twenty-one days after move-out. Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3(a). This statement, known as a 21-day letter, must explain the reason for...