Mike Tierney concentrates his practice on estate planning and trusts. As an estate planner, Mike works with individuals and families to help plan for major life changes: good health to infirmity, control to retirement, life to death.
Mike works closely with his clients to understand their estate planning goals. He has frank discussions with clients about their concerns, and prepares a detailed analysis of the client's specific and unique situation. Mike provides appropriate legal guidance, and, very importantly, explanations of complicated tax, transfer, and control issues translated into understandable terms.
With more than 25 years of experience, Mike has extensive knowledge of the many legal areas that complement this practice, including property, tax, business, and family law. He has an AV® Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®.*
Mike assists his clients in avoiding unnecessary taxation, probate, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings. He is very skilled in drafting the necessary documents to carry out the wishes of his clients, including wills, deeds, assignments, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. His work often involves:
- Preparing wills addressing estate tax planning concerns and control issues for young children through appropriate trust provisions
- Preparing health care directives and powers of attorney for elderly individuals facing declining physical health and early dementia
- Assisting business owners in planning for transfer of the business to the next generation and transition to retirement
- Drafting documents for blended families, single individuals and the charitably inclined
Mike also establishes trusts for his clients, as appropriate, such as:
- Revocable trusts
- Cabin trusts
- Supplemental and special needs trusts
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
Where probate, trust administration, or other proceedings prove necessary, Mike has the experience to handle them efficiently. He represents clients in litigation matters in Minnesota state and federal courts, including:
- Trustees and beneficiaries in trust related litigation
- Personal representatives and beneficiaries in estate litigation
- Analysis of business income loss in complex litigation matters
Mike has also advised individuals and companies in employment matters including hiring, termination, and work-related injury cases. He is familiar with the broad spectrum of employment regulations and workers' compensation rules and procedures, and has guided clients through the employment maze to achieve favorable results.
He is a member of the Minnesota State and Ramsey County Bar associations. In the community, he is a frequent speaker on estate planning topics. Born in Minneapolis, Mike received a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, and a B.A. from St. John's University. He joined Murnane Brandt in 1986.
Mike is a regular judge for the International Moot Court program at the University of Minnesota School. He is a former youth soccer coach and enjoys foreign travel, culture and language (conversant in French), and spending time with his wife and three children.
*AV® is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
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