Changes to Calculation of Child Support in Minnesota
As of August 1, 2018, the method for calculating child support in Minnesota has changed. The goal of the change was to eliminate the perceived child support “cliff” that resulted from the parenting expense adjustment. Under the previous child support laws, which were enacted in 2007, child support was calculated based upon an “income shares” model. Under the “income shares” model, both parents’ gross incomes were added together to create a total parental income for determining child support. Each parent was then supposed to pay a percentage of the total child support obligation based upon his or her percentage of...Read More
Congratulations to Farrish Johnson Super Lawyers!
Farrish Johnson Law Office is pleased to announce attorneys Scott V. Kelly and William S. Partridge have been named “Super Lawyers” for 2018. This prestigious award from Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, recognizes them to be among the top 5% of all lawyers in Minnesota. Scott and Will, trial lawyers practicing in personal injury litigation, business disputes and construction law, have received this distinction every year for the last 18 years! Two “Rising Star” attorneys are also part of the Farrish Johnson team. Daniel J. Bellig and Joseph A. Gangi recently received this designation for 2018. Daniel is a trial...Read More
Free Legal Checkups Being Offered to Public–KEYC
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, a nonprofit legal aid law firm, has launched once a month free legal checkups at the Open Door Health Center in Mankato. Farrish Johnson attorney Yuri Jelokov is a volunteer attorney for SMRLS. The checkups will occur on the third Monday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m. at Open Door. Others will also be held at Centenary United Methodist church in Mankato during their homeless breakfast hours and at Wellcome Manor in Garden City. Although there may be some same-day availability, those interested are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance by calling SMRLS...Read More
Law Day 2018
Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom The U.S. Constitution sets out a system of government with distinct and independent branches—Congress, the Presidency, and a Supreme Court. It also defines legislative, executive, and judicial powers and outlines how they interact. These three separate branches share power, and each branch serves as a check on the power of the others. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” James Madison explained in Federalist 51. Why? Madison believed that the Constitution’s principles of separation of powers and checks and balances preserve political liberty. They provide a framework for freedom. Yet, this framework is not...Read More
The Standard of Review on Appeal – Explained Through Football!
Most football fans are familiar with the red “challenge flag.” The head coach of a football team keeps a special red flag with him throughout the game. If the head coach disagrees with a call, he will throw the red challenge flag onto the field. The referees then use instant replay to determine whether the ruling on the field will stand as called, or be reversed. But it is not as simple as getting a “second bite” at making the correct call. A decision was made by an official with a unique view of the field, and that call is...Read More
Estate Tax Changes
There have been substantial changes to the Federal estate tax because of recent action by the US Congress. The major change centers on the doubling of the federal estate tax exemption for estate and gift taxes. For 2018, the estate tax exemption has been increased to $11.2 million. However, this increase expires on December 31, 2026 and absent action by Congress, upon expiration, the federal estate tax exemption in effective for 2017 will be reinstated. The doubling of the estate tax exemption will reduce the number of estates that are required to file a Federal 706 estate tax return. Meanwhile,...Read More
Massive Water Pollution Settlement
In a widely publicized case, 3M agreed to pay the State of Minnesota $850 million to avoid a trial over allegations that 3M contaminated water with perfluorochemicals (PFCs). The settlement is minuscule compared to the billions of dollars sought by the State in actual and punitive damages. Settlement funds could be used for water restoration projects as well as water infrastructure projects, such as new wells or connecting additional homes to municipal water. This settlement does not end 3M’s legal troubles. It faces many other lawsuits seeking to recover for environmental damage. 3M continues to maintain that there is no...Read More
Madelia Times Messenger features Yuri Jelokov
Yuri Jelokov of the Farrish Johnson Law Office was featured in the Madelia Times Messenger newspaper this week. Yuri practices in the areas of workers compensation, social security and disability claims. Read more about his interesting history, his family and his practice in the Madelia Times Messenger. Yuri is also a member of the Madelia Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Director. Visit him at our Madelia office on Wednesdays!
Genetic Testing
In recent years there has been an interest in genetic testing. For $100 or more, you can have your DNA tested for genetic health risks including late onset Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The testing determines whether you are a carrier for over 40 different conditions. The test results are confidential, unless you share the test results with your physician or health care providers. If you share the information, the information may become part of your medical record and ultimately accessible by other health care providers, insurance companies, etc. While there are safeguards in place at the state and federal level...Read More
