Heather Balgaard is an integral part of the firm’s estate planning practice, bringing experience across all facets of estate planning. She provides comprehensive guidance to clients on a wide range of estate related issues, including:

  *   Wills and Trusts. Crafting tailored plans for probate avoidance, estate tax minimization, generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax strategies, and business succession planning.

  *   Guardianships and Conservatorships: Assisting families in establishing legal protection for vulnerable individuals and elderly parents.

  *   Long Term Care Planning and Elder Law: Navigating the complexities of aging-related legal and financial concerns.

  *   Related Legal Instruments: Preparing Power of Attorney forms, Health Care Directives, and facilitating real estate transfers.

  *   Probate and Trust Administration: Managing the administration of estates and trusts, as well as resolving disputes through litigation when necessary.

Heather takes pride in building meaningful relationships with her clients. She understands that estate planning can feel overwhelming and daunting, and she is committed to providing clear, compassionate guidance throughout the process. She is also a trusted advisor to families navigating the complexities of probate and trust administration after the loss of a loved one, offering both legal counsel and empathetic support during challenging times.

While a student at Mitchell Hamline, Heather served as the Community Service chair of the Hamline Women’s Legal Caucus. She continues to be community minded and volunteers as a mentor and represents low-income clients going through the probate process.