When planning to purchase real estate, one key consideration is the intended use of the property and the zoning classification. This applies whether the property is vacant or improved, to be used recreationally, for commercial endeavors, or as a residence: zoning is important. This article explores zoning generally and the options available to a property [...]
01.08.2013
Hey, he owes me money!
What to do when you get a bankruptcy notice from the court: Bankruptcy filings are expected to increase dramatically in 2013 as the eight year filing limit expires for 2005 bankruptcy filers. So what do you do if you get a notice from the court that someone who owes you money has filed bankruptcy? The [...]
08.01.2012
Environmental Assessment Basics
What Businesses Should Expect in Pursuing Certain Development Projects: Since the passage of the Minnesota Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) in 1973, Minnesota law has required specific procedures for the assessment and analysis of the effect that certain development projects will have on the human environment. In recent years, an increasing number of businesses have begun [...]
04.01.2012
Enforceability of Noncompete Agreements
Limitations Every Employer Should Know: A “noncompete” agreement is a contractual provision in which an employee agrees not to compete with his or her employer or work for a competitor after termination of the employment relationship. Such an agreement may be part of an initial employment contract or a severance contract, or it may [...]
04.01.2012
Tips When Purchasing Foreclosed Property
If you are a buyer considering purchasing property from a lender following foreclosure, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. Please note that this article does not contemplate purchasing the property before the foreclosure is completed. Get a Lawyer! Considering the variety of issues and the dire consequences of an error, the [...]
04.01.2012
Legal Tips for Home Construction
Carefully Choose the Land The primary consideration in choosing land to build on is whether the home you want can actually be built on the land. Contact the local zoning authority to determine the applicable zoning restrictions. Most zoning codes contain setback and spatial limitations which affect the size and placement of new construction and [...]
02.15.2012
What is a Voluntary Foreclosure?
In these challenging financial times an increasing number of property owners are at risk of losing their investment for failure to make mortgage payments. A bank or credit union has various options available during default. In many cases, the lender wants to give the borrower an opportunity to catch-up on the mortgage payments. This is [...]
10.01.2011
Wisconsin Land Contracts
The economy has been slow to recover from the financial crisis, particularly the mortgage and home sales market. Residential foreclosures continue to mount and credit, particularly for real estate purchases, has been harder to come by in recent years. Just because credit is tight, doesn’t mean that buyers don’t have options to finance the purchase [...]
06.01.2011
The Minnesota Plastic Card Security Act
A Law Businesses, Banks and Consumers Should Know: In 2007, Minnesota became the first state to enact legislation shifting, in certain circumstances, the costs of consumer data breaches from financial institutions to the persons or businesses that directly transacted with consumers whose data was exposed. Under the Plastic Card Security Act (“PCSA”), set out [...]
04.01.2011
Trademarks and Service Marks
Establishing, Strengthening and Protecting Your Brand: A trademark or service mark is a word, symbol, phrase, design or combination thereof which the public associates with a single source of a product or service. Trademarks and service marks are generally the same, except that a trademark refers to a single source of a product (or “good”), [...]