Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce? (And What About Mediation?)
September 9, 2026 | Jason C. Brown
Divorce can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Many individuals moving toward divorce wonder whether they can handle the process on their own or whether hiring a divorce attorney is worth the cost. But while DIY divorce is possible under specific, simple conditions, having an attorney safeguards your rights, protects your best interests, and prevents you from making costly mistakes. When Is a Self-Represented Divorce Feasible? Going through a divorce without an attorney is difficult, but it is possible. It works best in an uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all terms from the beginning. This is usually a short-term marriage with no minor children involved, minimal shared assets, no real estate, and no complex retirement accounts. If you go this route, you will be responsible for all paperwork, deadlines, procedural filing, and legal research. In addition to the workload, there are risks associated with self-represented divorces. Without proper legal training, you run the risk of filing improperly, miscalculating assets, or accidentally waiving important rights. And once your divorce agreement is finalized by the court, it is very difficult to modify. That’s why we highly recommend working with a professional divorce attorney, even in an uncontested divorce. When Is Hiring a Divorce Attorney Necessary? While consulting with a divorce attorney is always…
Read MoreCorporate Transparency Act Update: FinCEN Finalizes BOI Rule
September 3, 2026 | Carole Clark Isakson
<image generated by AI> Rachel R. Schwankl, Paralegal, contributed to this article. On August 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued a final rule which permanently removes the requirement for United States companies and United States persons to report beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. The final rule became effective on August 14, 2026. FinCEN also announced that it will delete previously reported information by U.S. persons—now exempt from the reporting requirements—from the beneficial ownership information database by working with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). When the deletion will occur is unclear. Updated FAQs directly from FinCEN may be accessed here. Our business practice group here at Barna, Guzy & Steffen is dedicated to staying informed and serving our clients’ best interests. If you have questions regarding your Minnesota business activity, our experienced attorneys are ready to assist you. Please contact your attorney directly, or email us at info@bgs.com or call us at (763) 780-8500. We look forward to connecting with you!
Read MoreMinnesota Business Identity Theft Protections
September 1, 2026 | Carole Clark Isakson
Identity theft is a nationwide problem not just for individuals, but also for businesses. Because of the ease with which an inactive entity can be reactivated at the state level, third parties can take advantage of this for their own benefit and at the expense of the actual entity and its owners. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Business Services Division has also found that entities have been formed using the name and address of a person without that person’s consent. The primary goals of those engaging in business identity theft are twofold: the use of the entity to apply for credit applications (affecting the good credit of a business or an individual) and soliciting or entering into contracts with unsuspecting victims. These activities may occur without the knowledge of the dormant company’s owners. Prior to January 1, 2026, the only way an injured party could stop these actions and extricate itself from the situation was a court action, which could take many months and incur significant costs. In some cases, assistance was available from law enforcement. On May 23, 2025, Governor Tim Walz signed the Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act into law, which law went into effect earlier this year. Senator Matt Klien noted at the time that “This bill protects the integrity…
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