Category: Estate Planning
Anticipated Changes for Medical Assistance Recipients in 2026
September 9, 2025 | Cathryn Reher
President Trump signed the Federal Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) on July 4, 2025. This will change Medical Assistance benefits for most Minnesota recipients. The changes are anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026 at the earliest. The State of Minnesota will need to pass legislation in the 2026 legislative session to remain eligible to receive federal funding for its Medical Assistance programs. After that, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will need to issue policies to implement the legislative changes. The Estate Planning Department at Barna, Guzy & Steffen represents Medical Assistance recipients and their families. BGS is focused on providing our clients and their families with as much time as possible to prepare for these changes. We are actively monitoring the potential impact of the changes to federal and state Medicaid laws and policies. It will be important to continue to track the anticipated changes through media sources, to follow up with your financial case worker and case managers, and to seek counsel as needed through this time of change. If you have questions regarding these upcoming changes the attorneys in our Estate Planning Department are here to assist you.
Read MoreWhy Every Minnesota Adult Needs a Health Care Directive
July 8, 2025 | Kate Frederickson
At Barna, Guzy & Steffen, our estate planning attorneys help people plan for a variety of future scenarios. And while many adults wait until later in life to complete their estate planning documents, there is at least one document that anyone over the age of 18 should have: a health care directive. What Is a Health Care Directive? A health care directive is a written document that can do two things: (1) appoint a health care agent to act on your behalf in the event of your incapacity; and (2) outline your wishes regarding your medical care and end-of-life wishes. A health care directive becomes effective upon your incapacity, or when you are unable to communicate your wishes due to illness, injury, or incapacity. Historically, an individual may have needed a living will and/or a variable healthcare power of attorney to articulate their wishes regarding medical care and life sustaining treatment. In Minnesota, now an individual only needs one document, a healthcare directive, to outline all of their wishes and instructions. Why Is It Important for Everyone Over 18? Putting your wishes in writing is the best way to help make sure your preferences are known and followed by family and friends. Many people assume health care directives are only for older adults…
Read More7 Steps for Getting Started on Your Estate Plan
May 19, 2025 | William F. Huefner
With tax season behind us, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to another important aspect of life planning: your estate plan. Estate planning can seem daunting, but it’s a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. Follow along with us as we provide some initial steps to help you begin the process. 1. Understand the Basics At its core, estate planning is about making decisions now concerning what happens to your assets after you pass away. This involves several key components: Will: A legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death. Wills are only used if your estate is subject to a probate court proceeding. Trusts: Legal arrangements that hold assets for the benefit of someone else, often used to avoid estate taxes and a probate court proceeding. Financial Durable Power of Attorney: Designates someone to make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Advanced Health Care Directive: Specifies your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate. Beneficiary Designations: Designate who will receive specific assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts. 2. Take Inventory of Your Assets Before you can decide how to distribute your assets, you need to know what…
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