Susan Elizabeth Johnson-Drenth

Susan and the attorneys and paralegals at JD Legal Planning PLLC help families navigate through the legal issues at the time of loss, including probate, trust administration and the preparation of the estate tax return. We are here to help!

Depending on your situation, there could be many reasons why you should establish a trust: avoiding probate; minimizing estate tax; privacy from the court probate process; special needs family members; second marriage situations; etc.

Every adult with children and/or assets should have a will to direct: who will inherit, in trust or outright; who will be the guardian of minor or disabled children; and, who will be the personal representative.

As part of your estate planning with Susan, she will review your real estate and make recommendations for ownership: life estate deeds; transfer on death deeds; quit claim deeds; trust deeds; and, oil and mineral deeds.

Raised in the Red River Valley, Susan is very familiar with the unique estate planning needs of farming families. This is especially important in Minnesota with its unique estate tax and ag homestead status issues.

Succession planning for business, property or land interests is part of your estate planning. Susan will help you to indentify the best entity and plan to transition ownership during life or upon death. Susan can help you form the business, too.

Unfortunately, for many reasons not all family matters are amicable. Susan can help you with disputes regarding guardianship, conservatorship, will contests, trust disputes, real estate, as well as other matters.

Susan, as well as the attorneys and paralegals at JD Legal Planning PLLC, can help you form a new LLC, address concerns with an existing LLC, and help you transition the LLC to the next generation.

Litigation is more costly now than it has ever been, so mediation should always be considered. Susan is a Certified Mediator, and received her training at Northwestern University in Chicago.

As part of your estate planning, Susan helps you identify the oil rights and mineral interests you own, and will recommend the best way to leave them to your family, which may include a trust or LLC.

Sometimes a partnership is a better plan than a LLC, especially in farming situations. Susan, as well as the attorneys and paralegals at JD Legal Planning PLLC, can help your family with a LLP, LLLP or general partnership.

Every person over age 18 should have a Durable General Power of Attorney (POA), which will allow those you trust to manage your affairs if you are unable. Without a POA in place, your family will need guardianship.