$ 395-395 per hour
Margaret Barrett
also known as Margaret Mary Kyle
About Margaret
Biography
Hi, I am Margaret Barrett.
I founded Safe Harbor Estate Law to help families protect what is most important to them. I am motivated by life experiences that help me relate to my clients. My ex-husband died suddenly, leaving our young children and a messy estate that took 7 years to resolve. My siblings and I worked together to support my parents in my Dad's dementia. My new husband and I crafted a plan to protect each other and all of our children in our blended family when we pass away. Many of my clients experience or want to prepare for the experiences I have already learned from.
My expertise is in helping baby boomers and their parents to acheive their goals while minimizing expenses and hassles. I create estate plans that protect my clients in case of incapacity during life, and direct their assets while protecting their loved ones after they pass away.
I also ease the burdens of families worried about paying for long term care, by developing personalized plans that take advantage of all the benefits available to them. Finally, after a loved one dies, I handle probate, or estate or trust administration for my clients at a difficult time in their lives.
I enjoy working with my clients' family members whenever it is feasible. My practice is to team up with other professionals on my clients' behalf. My goal is to develop long lasting relationships with my clients that are mutually satisfying.
I am often asked what an Elder Lawyer does. In my case, my elder law practice includes planning and applying for long term care Medical Assistance and VA benefits so my clients can get the care they need and protect assets. I also have expertise regarding the challenges of incapacity, the risks of expoitation of vulnerable adults, and how a lawyer can bring solutions as part of a team. I spent 5 years as a litigation attorney in a big law firm, so I am comfortable and successful in advocating for my clients in court.
I currently serve as Co-Chair of the Ramsey County Bar Association SoloSmall Section. I formerly served as Communications Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association Elder Law Section. I am also a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Christian Legal Society of Minnesota.
I speak frequently on a variety of estate planning and elder law topics. Sample topics include how to avoid common legal mistakes in making an estate plan or in dealing with chronic illness or dementia, and how to prevent your life savings from going to the nursing home. I present to senior groups, support groups, YMCA's, senior care providers and financial groups. I present complicated topics in clear, understandable manner that can be practically applied.
I grew up in St. Paul and have lived in the area all my life. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren, fitting in excercise, travel and getting outside whenever I can.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Minnesota for 34 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Safe Harbor Estate Law
3240 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55126
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Margaret Barrett's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Posted by John Guzik | November 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great Attorney!!!
Margaret Kyle is a first rate-attorney. She stays current, is highly knowledgeable and very skilled at drafting wills, trusts and probate documents. As an attorney myself, I have not only hired her to provide legal services for my own family, but have also referred many of my own clients to her. I wo...
Margaret Barrett
Replied last November 05, 2018John, thank you so much for your business, and your kind words. I appreciate the opportunity to serve you, as well as the clients you refer to me. It has been a pleasure and an honor.
Posted by Ann | November 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great experience!
Margaret Barrett has been incredibly helpful for my family as she competently and compassionately took care of Probate, Legal Trusts, Advance Directives and Wills for my mother, brother and myself. Margaret went beyond the call of duty regarding some rather tricky, unique obstacles that we found ours...
Margaret Barrett
Replied last November 05, 2018Ann, it has been our pleasure to help your family through the "tricky, unique obstacles". Thank you so much for the honor of serving you. Our whole team enjoyed it.
Margaret Barrett's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Margaret through a professional lawyer organization and trust her team would do everything they can to provide excellent service to families in MN needing Estates and Elder Law services. I would wholeheartedly recommend her!"
"Margaret is a colleague in the estate planning and elder law community, and I can say she really knows her stuff. She is able to distill complex information for clients into practical solutions. I fully endorse her for being a passionate advocacy and breadth of knowledge in the field."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Margaret is a well-regarded and driven attorney who has provided exceptional legal representation to numerous clients throughout the years. With her extensive knowledge, broad experience and impressive professional skills, she will invest her time and energy into achieving the best outcome for each client matter, regardless of its level of complexity"
"Thoughtful and caring is how I would describe Margaret. As a felmow Elder Law attorney, I understand why an attorney needs these traits. I would send any family to Margaret for help."
"I endorse Ms. Barrett. She is a zealous advocate for her clients."
"Attorney Barrett is a hardworker and will advocate for her clients with an attention to detail that you don't see very often these days."
"I recommend Margaret for all areas of estate planning. Everyone I have referred has been very happy!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Margaret cares about her clients and is consistently looking to improve her client’s lives."
"Margaret cares about her clients and works hard advocating for them. I endorse this lawyer."
"Margaret is thorough and conscientious in her practice. She works for the client and they benefit from her guidance. I recommend Margaret Kyle."
"Margaret is a knowledgeable, efficient and creative estate planning attorney delivering exceptional service to all of her clients."
"I highly endorse this lawyer! Margaret is a top-notch attorney who knows the law, and always puts her client's needs first. I have not only referred my clients to her, but have hired her myself for estate planning needs."
"I have known Margaret for several years and she takes great care to identify her clients' needs and to develop the best possible plan for their legal needs. I would recommend her for your estate planning and elder law needs."
"I endorse this lawyer. Margaret is passionate about practicing elder law. She is very active in the local elder law bar and serves on the Elder Law Governing Council. She holds herself to high ethical standards. Margaret is an attorney you can trust with your elder law or estate planning matter."
"I worked with Margaret as opposing counsel on a Real Estate matter. Margaret presented herself and her client's position in the most professional and respectful manner. She was courteous of pending deadlines and reasonable during negotiations. She represented her client's position in a zealous manner without losing track of her respectful tone. I welcome the opportunity to work with Margaret again!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Margaret in multiple settings including a large commercial litigation practice and in a corporate counsel position. She is a tireless advocate with passion for representing her clients. She is driven by a strong ethical and moral foundation which motivates her to be a force for positive change and a staunch advocate for those in need. She combines fierce advocacy with compassion, intelligence and pragmatism that results in highly effective outcomes for her clients."
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Experience
Honors
1996
Wilifred Rumble Pro Bono Inuagural Award, Doherty Rumble & Butler
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Attorney Owner, Safe Harbor Estate Law
2006 - 2013
Director, Women's Ministry, North Heights Lutheran Church
1996 - 2001
Reimbursement Director - Medicaid, Hill-Rom f/k/a Advanced Respiratory
1991 - 1996
Civil Litigator, Doherty, Rumble & Butler, PA
1985 - 1989
Owner, Cost Cutters
1981 - 1985
Finance, General Mills
Associations
2015 - Present
Christian Legal Society of MinnesotaMember
2013 - Present
Ramsey County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Minnesota Women LawyersMember
2013 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law Attorney's, Inc.Member
2016 - 2017
Minnesota State Bar AssociationElder Section Member Communications Committee Chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Guardianship/ Conservatorship
Smooth appointment and transition of guardian and conservator.
Family's lawyer for all stages of $8 million+ estate plan, gift planning, trust funding, trust administration
Federal taxes avoided, clients wishes fulfilled without stress.
Protected client from child taking funds she needed for her care and reached peaceful, fair resolution of her estate
Client received long term care she needed, fair resolution of difficult situation, estate resolved peacefully.
Recovered $50,000 in savings bonds
$50,000 recovered for vulnerable adult's care
Education
1991
William Mitchell College of Law
JD/MBA - Juris Doctorate
1981
University of St. Thomas
B. A. Accounting
Speaking Engagements
2018
Young at Heart Ministries-April 5th at 1:00 PM
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
2018
The Water's of White Bear April 17th at 3:00 PM
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
2018
Shoreview Community Center June at 10:00 AM
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
2018
RosePointe Senior Living, Roseville MN-May 9th at 2:00 PM
Cover Your (Digital) Assets
2018
Fairview Community Center- March 19th at 6:30 PM
How to Aviod The Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
2018
Cherrywood Pointe on Lexington-May 1st at 4:00 PM
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes
2018
Cherrywood Pointe on Lexington- May 15th at 4:00 PM
Cover Your (Digital) Assets
2016
Parkinson's Support Group
Legal Planning for Chronic Illness
2016
Caregivers Support Group
Planning for Long Term Care
2016
Active Older Adults
Legal Planning for Dementia
2015
May 19 and June 16
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Estates
2014
YMCA Active Older Adults
How to Avoid the Top 3 Estate Planning Mistakes Most People Make
Publications
2017
Minnesota CLE
Medicare for Nursing Home and Community Care
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
My father recently passed away and did not have a will. What happens to the land that he and his younger brother own jointly?
16 Apr 2020
Q&A
Can a POA, legally transfer assets of a person's estate to benifit themselves, before a person, passes away.?
02 Jun 2018
Q&A
Can I set up an irrevocable trust for my mother myself without involving an attorney?
04 Jun 2018