Law of MN

Practical advice for all your business, tax, and legal needs. We provide services for all types of Law in Minnesota.

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Welcome to Martha Sullivan, Attorney

Kennedy and Ruhsam Law is honored to welcome the collaboration and esteemed legal experience and talent brought by Attorney Martha Sullivan who joined our team in 2021.The firm is growing and changing every day and is thrilled to have Martha on board to share her skills, experience, and creativity, and in providing thoughtful approaches to our clients and to our legal team that result in meaningful solutions. She has been active in community leadership and volunteers for legal aid and other local organizations. Martha brings extensive experience in the following practice areas: family law, probate, estate planning, mediation, and civil litigation. She graduated from Smith College, then obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Hamline University in St. Paul Minnesota. She began private practice of law in 1996 and is licensed in both Minnesota and Florida.

Martha resides in Eagan with her fiance’ and children, and enjoys boating, sports, music and spending time with friends and family.

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Welcome to Julie Cooper

Kennedy & Ruhsam is pleased to welcome Legal Assistant Julie Cooper to our team. Upon securing her paralegal degree from Inver Hills Community College, Julie has special reason to be proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA. As a single mom, working full time throughout her tenure, her commitment to pursuing law for its theory and applications in life took particular effort. Julie zealously pursues professional excellence and goes the extra mile in providing staff support, also drawing upon her experience in administrative support within public schools. Her diligence, empathy and passion are distinctive in both her personal and professional relationships. Julie resides in Farmington with her 16-year-old son, Jamie.

The team at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law is proud to have Julie add distinct value to our services for our clients and family.

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Welcome to Mary Willink

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law would like to welcome our newest paralegal, Mary Willink, to the firm. Mary joined the firm with an impressive background in civil litigation and transaction law. Her commitment to professional writing and communication is evidenced by her work in nonprofit organizations and EBSCO Publishing, among others. She enjoys professional development and continuing legal education and earned the NFPA PACE Registered Paralegal® credential in 2012. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband and three young daughters. We welcome Mary to the Kennedy & Ruhsam team.

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UPDATE: Congratulations to Tina M. Johnson RP®!

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law would like to congratulate paralegal Tina M. Johnson RP® on receiving the Barbara H. Peppersack Lifetime Service Award. This award recognizes paralegals for their service who have been a member of the Minnesota Paralegal Association for at least 15 years and have made significant contributions to National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., Minnesota Paralegal Association, and the paralegal profession through volunteering, mentoring, and promoting the profession. Partner Scott Ruhsam nominated Tina for this award due to her extensive service in the paralegal community both locally and nationally.

At Kennedy & Ruhsam, Tina always produces excellent work product and pays attention to detail. She is also a pleasure to work with. “Tina goes the extra mile to assist clients and attorneys with their legal needs. Her work ethic and genuine consideration for others is truly commendable,” said Madeline Meyer, associate attorney at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law. “She is very deserving of this honor,” Meyer added.

Tina received this award because of her dedication to the paralegal field for over 20 years, her commitment to the Minnesota Paralegal Association in furthering its growth through her various leadership roles since 2003, her contributions to the legal profession by updating the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education Deskbook, and her many volunteer hours with the Wills for Heroes clinics since it began in 2007. Kennedy & Ruhsam is so proud to have such an important part of our office be recognized for her outstanding work and dedication to her craft.   

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Protecting the Law

Legal matters can be daunting, but at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law, we offer peace-of-mind when it comes to your time, money and family.

MN Business Attorney

The first step in building a solid foundation, is building a solid understanding.

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MN Probate Lawyers

Prepared to help you feel supported through the probate administration process.

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Estate Planning Attorney

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. is where we can start a safe plan for the future.

MN Real Estate Closings

Find comfort in the real estate experts at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law.

MN Tax Lawyers

Uniquely equipped to handle the intersection of your tax and legal matters

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Fiduciary Lawyer of MN

Serving as Trustees and Personal Representatives throughout Minnesota

Combined Experience

Years in Business

Lawyers

Helping you with legal matters

During times of uncertainty and stress, we are here for you now more than ever. We provide two convenient locations in Eagan, MN and in Cannon Falls, MN. Contact Kennedy & Ruhsam Law to become part of the family.

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Probate Lawyers

Providing legal aid to Minnesotans in search of justice and educated representation. Legal aid and justice based projects can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, however, at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices of Eagan and Cannon Falls, MN we offer legal advice, professional lawyer services, and attorney aid based on our experiences with life’s toughest issues.

Heartfelt Legal Expertise

Focusing on the importance of family during difficult times, Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., offers Minnesotans dedicated, fast and efficient legal services such as wills, funeral directives, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship designations, and so much more. All with your time in mind.

Business Attorney

Are you a new business owner in MN and challenged with a legal project and don’t know where to begin? Discover the ease and knowledge behind a great public attorney at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law. Offering trusted business tax and business law services to Minnesota business owners allows you to stay calm, and focus on running your business successfully.

Minnesota Tax Help

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., understands legal services can be daunting. We are here to support, understand and represent you and your case with exceptional knowledge and care.

Serving Our Neighbors in Minnesota

During times of uncertainty and stress, we are here for you now more than ever. We provide two convenient locations in Eagan, MN and in Cannon Falls, MN.

Get In Touch

Probate Lawyers

Providing legal aid to Minnesotans in search of justice and educated representation. Legal aid and justice based projects can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, however, at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices of Eagan and Cannon Falls, MN we offer legal advice, professional lawyer services, and attorney aid based on our experiences with life’s toughest issues.

Business Attorney of MN

Are you a new business owner in Minnesota and challenged with a legal project and don’t know where to begin? Discover the ease and knowledge behind a great public attorney at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law. Offering trusted business tax and business law services to Minnesota business owners allows you to stay calm, and focus on running your business successfully.

Heartfelt Expertise

Focusing on the importance of family during difficult times, Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., offers Minnesotans dedicated, fast and efficient legal services such as wills, funeral directives, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship designations, and so much more. All with your time in mind.

Minnesota Tax Controversy

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., understands legal services can be daunting. We are here to support, understand and represent you and your case with exceptional knowledge and care.

Our Legal News

Does Your Business Qualify for the Employee Retention Credit?

On December 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020. The bill made retroactive changes to the original Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) that applied to wages paid or incurred between March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020...
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Income Taxes Upon Death

Each year, individuals file their annual federal and state income tax returns reporting all the income earned during the year and paying any taxes that may be due. The same income tax reporting holds true upon an individual’s death. Upon death, a final individual...
Read More

2021 Federal Retirement Plan Cost of Living Adjustments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published its 2021 cost-of-living updates affecting retirement plans. As you prepare for the new year, let us put our IRS expertise to work to help you achieve your 2021 goals. We have convenient locations in Eagan, MN and Cannon...
Read More

Actions to Take When Closing a Business

FEDERAL TAX-RELATED ACTIONS TO TAKE WHEN CLOSING A BUSINESS At Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., our experience as business owners, accountants, and tax and business attorneys has helped hundreds of small businesses navigate all aspects of business planning and...
Read More

Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies

Death and taxes may be certain, but the details surrounding them often are not. Uncertainty around what happens after someone dies can cause anxiety and challenge familial relationships. However, thoughtful planning and the guidance of knowledgeable professionals can...
Read More

Updates To Minnesota Guardianship And Conservatorship Statutes

UPDATES TO MINNESOTA GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP STATUTES By: Dustin J. McIntee, Associate Attorney On May 16, 2020, Governor Tim Walz signed Chapter 86, S.F. 3357, which amended the Minnesota guardianship and conservatorship statutes (and other statutes) and...
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Extension of the Payroll Protection Program

The United States Congress and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) created the Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an incentive for small businesses to retain workers on their payroll. The PPP is an SBA loan that can be...
Read More

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

Coronavirus CARES Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides support to small businesses and individuals suffering from economic distress across the United States. The Payroll...
Read More

Economic Relief Funds Extended | April 23, 2020

  The Latest in Small Business Relief during COVID19 On April 23, 2020, the House voted to pass a bill offering $484 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. Pending presidential signature, the bill should offer necessary funding for the SBA programs that exhausted...
Read More

MN Small Business Health during a Public Health Crisis – Kennedy Law of Eagan, MN

Governor Tim Walz’s executive orders have shut down small businesses across Minnesota to protect citizens and our health care system from the effects of community spread of COVID-19. The orders have forced small businesses closed, leaving them without options for...
Read More

Showcase on Special Administrations

The specialty area of law in probate administration in Minnesota provides both variety and efficiency for each specific probate situation. The process of administering an estate is governed under a uniform probate code in-order-to promote and provide efficient and...
Read More

The Framework for Appointing and Removing a Personal Representative

One of the most important and vital decisions made when crafting an estate plan is deciding whom you will nominate to act in the role of Personal Representative. The Personal Representative’s role handles the management, preservation, and distribution of the...
Read More

De-Escalating the Trials and Tribulations of Estate and Trust Litigation

The death of a loved one often leads to the expression of emotional strife and resentment among the family structure and surviving heirs. Even with a proper estate plan in place (a protected legacy plan created by the Testator) conflicts appear requiring legal...
Read More

Beneficiary Designations

Commonly, it is believed that one’s Last Will and Testament is the primary document providing for allocation of assets when one dies. However, if a beneficiary designation for a retirement plan, IRA, life insurance policy, investment account or similar account does...
Read More

Income Taxes Upon Death

Each year, individuals file their annual federal and state income tax returns reporting all the income earned during the year and paying any taxes that may be due. The same income tax reporting holds true upon an individual’s death. Upon death, a final individual...
Read More

2021 Federal Retirement Plan Cost of Living Adjustments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published its 2021 cost-of-living updates affecting retirement plans. As you prepare for the new year, let us put our IRS expertise to work to help you achieve your 2021 goals. We have convenient locations in Eagan, MN and Cannon...
Read More

Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies

Death and taxes may be certain, but the details surrounding them often are not. Uncertainty around what happens after someone dies can cause anxiety and challenge familial relationships. However, thoughtful planning and the guidance of knowledgeable professionals can...
Read More

You’re the Personal Representative, Now What?

What is a Personal Representative? A Personal Representative, often referred to as an Executor, is a person (or corporate entity) named in a Will that has the authority to handle a Decedent’s probate assets. In Minnesota, the probate laws utilize the official term...
Read More

What to Do When Loved Ones Die

Review Decedent’s records or safe deposit box to locate estate planning document, i.e. Will or Trust. If an estate is needed, the Personal Representative named in the Will/Trust will handle the probate administration. Notify Social Security of the death. If you are a...
Read More

Tidbits on Transfer on Death Deeds

Tidbits on Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) So often, clients want to avoid probate and may think that a Transfer on Death Deed (known as “TODD”) is the best way to go about it. However, every client needs an estate planning attorney to review and discuss with them the...
Read More

Considerations in Structuring the Sale of a Small Business

Interested in selling your business? It is important to consider the appropriate structure for the sale of your business for both tax and liability purposes. Generally, there are two methods of selling a business: by selling the business assets (an “Asset Purchase”)...
Read More

Actions to Take When Closing a Business

FEDERAL TAX-RELATED ACTIONS TO TAKE WHEN CLOSING A BUSINESS At Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., our experience as business owners, accountants, and tax and business attorneys has helped hundreds of small businesses navigate all aspects of business planning and...
Read More

How Business Owners Can Mitigate Risk Amid a Global Pandemic

Starting a business or being a small business owner can be rewarding. But it also invites lots of risk. In unprecedented times it is crucial that business owners understand the importance of following corporate formalities to limit their liability on business deals...
Read More

Extension of the Payroll Protection Program

The United States Congress and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) created the Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an incentive for small businesses to retain workers on their payroll. The PPP is an SBA loan that can be...
Read More

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

Coronavirus CARES Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides support to small businesses and individuals suffering from economic distress across the United States. The Payroll...
Read More

Kennedy Law accepts new partnership: now Kennedy & Ruhsam Law

Kennedy Law accepts new partnership: now Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A.,

Read More

Economic Relief Funds Extended | April 23, 2020

  The Latest in Small Business Relief during COVID19 On April 23, 2020, the House voted to pass a bill offering $484 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. Pending presidential signature, the bill should offer necessary funding for the SBA programs that exhausted...
Read More

MN Small Business Health during a Public Health Crisis – Kennedy Law of Eagan, MN

Governor Tim Walz’s executive orders have shut down small businesses across Minnesota to protect citizens and our health care system from the effects of community spread of COVID-19. The orders have forced small businesses closed, leaving them without options for...
Read More

Payroll Protection Program in MN – April 2020

Payroll Protection Program for Small Businesses in MN As part of the federal stimulus package signed into law on March 27 th , 2020, the SBA will offer loans under the Payroll Protection Program as an incentive for small businesses to retain and pay their workers...
Read More

What is an LLC and does my small business need to be one?

Limited liability companies (“LLCs”) are a hybrid entity that offer the tax advantages of a partnership with the liability protections of a corporation. LLCs offer a barrier that allow the owner to protect his/her personal assets in the event of any litigation against...
Read More

Showcase on Special Administrations

The specialty area of law in probate administration in Minnesota provides both variety and efficiency for each specific probate situation. The process of administering an estate is governed under a uniform probate code in-order-to promote and provide efficient and...
Read More

The Framework for Appointing and Removing a Personal Representative

One of the most important and vital decisions made when crafting an estate plan is deciding whom you will nominate to act in the role of Personal Representative. The Personal Representative’s role handles the management, preservation, and distribution of the...
Read More

De-Escalating the Trials and Tribulations of Estate and Trust Litigation

The death of a loved one often leads to the expression of emotional strife and resentment among the family structure and surviving heirs. Even with a proper estate plan in place (a protected legacy plan created by the Testator) conflicts appear requiring legal...
Read More

Beneficiary Designations

Commonly, it is believed that one’s Last Will and Testament is the primary document providing for allocation of assets when one dies. However, if a beneficiary designation for a retirement plan, IRA, life insurance policy, investment account or similar account does...
Read More

Income Taxes Upon Death

Each year, individuals file their annual federal and state income tax returns reporting all the income earned during the year and paying any taxes that may be due. The same income tax reporting holds true upon an individual’s death. Upon death, a final individual...
Read More

2021 Federal Retirement Plan Cost of Living Adjustments

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published its 2021 cost-of-living updates affecting retirement plans. As you prepare for the new year, let us put our IRS expertise to work to help you achieve your 2021 goals. We have convenient locations in Eagan, MN and Cannon...
Read More

Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies

Death and taxes may be certain, but the details surrounding them often are not. Uncertainty around what happens after someone dies can cause anxiety and challenge familial relationships. However, thoughtful planning and the guidance of knowledgeable professionals can...
Read More

You’re the Personal Representative, Now What?

What is a Personal Representative? A Personal Representative, often referred to as an Executor, is a person (or corporate entity) named in a Will that has the authority to handle a Decedent’s probate assets. In Minnesota, the probate laws utilize the official term...
Read More

What to Do When Loved Ones Die

Review Decedent’s records or safe deposit box to locate estate planning document, i.e. Will or Trust. If an estate is needed, the Personal Representative named in the Will/Trust will handle the probate administration. Notify Social Security of the death. If you are a...
Read More

Tidbits on Transfer on Death Deeds

Tidbits on Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) So often, clients want to avoid probate and may think that a Transfer on Death Deed (known as “TODD”) is the best way to go about it. However, every client needs an estate planning attorney to review and discuss with them the...
Read More
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Get In Touch

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law understands legal services can be daunting. We are here to support, understand and represent you and your case with exceptional knowledge and care.