Doda & Mcgeeney

Address: 421 1st Avenue SW Suite 300 East, Rochester, MN 55902

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Rochester, MN, & Duluth, MN, Attorneys

Criminal Defense

For dependable advice and aggressive representation in defense of your due process rights in any criminal case, contact a knowledgeable criminal trial lawyer at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester. We serve the needs of persons facing serious felony and misdemeanor charges from DUI to homicide throughout southeast Minnesota, from Northfield and Red Wing to Albert Lea and Winona.

 

Rochester criminal defense attorney James McGeeney began his First Judicial District Public Defender career concentrating on serious felony trials. Jim has continued to represent individuals accused of serious felonies, as well as individuals accused of less serious crimes, violating their probation or parole and juveniles accused of crimes as well. Jim has extensive trial experience, having tried more than 100 cases, many to a jury. The sophisticated training and courtroom experience he obtained in this capacity now helps him provide highly effective client service in such matters as the following:

  • Homicide, aggravated assault, and weapons charges.
  • Drug crimes involving possession or distribution of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, marijuana, cocaine, and unauthorized prescription drugs
  • Sex offenses ranging from child sex abuse to date rape or criminal sexual conduct involving exposure or penetration
  • Drunk driving charges from first-time DUI to repeat offenses involving fatal accidents
  • Property crimes such as criminal damage to property, auto theft, employee theft, check forgery, credit card fraud, or burglary
  • Domestic assault charges, including violation of a domestic violence order for protection (OFP) or harassment restraining orders
  • Appeals of criminal convictions, including revocation of probation
  • Asset forfeiture related to drug crimes or motor vehicle offenses
  • Juvenile delinquency petitions and probation violations
  • Petitions for expungement of criminal records

Whether your best defense involves plea negotiations or presenting your case before a jury depends entirely on your situation and the evidence, we can help you contest adult certification in juvenile offenses and determine your eligibility for extended juvenile jurisdiction (EJJ) status for young adults.

 

We always take care to identify and advise you about the collateral consequences of a conviction, whether it will affect your right to own a gun, qualify for a professional license or security clearance, or have other unintended consequences for your future. We also consider your eligibility for a stay of adjudication or deferred disposition, which means that you will not face prosecution for the current charge if you stay out of trouble for a certain period. Expungement, or highly limited public access to records of your arrest or conviction, can also be a valuable tool for clients concerned about the effect of a criminal record on future employment prospects.

 

Our experience resolving severe criminal charges on favorable terms means that you won't have to face the state's power alone and that we will find and present the facts and legal rules that favor your position.

 

For a free consultation about our ability to provide effective client service in your particular situation, contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer at the Rochester law firm of Doda & McGeeney.

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DUI Defense

Minnesota DWI and DUI Defense Attorneys

At Doda & McGeeney, located in Rochester, MN, we are a team of dedicated attorneys offering expert DUI defense representation. Our focus extends beyond preparing and presenting a solid defense on your behalf. We consider the broader implications of your case and work tirelessly to protect you from the non-criminal consequences of a DWI conviction. We are committed to resolving the criminal charges against you on favorable terms. Contact our Rochester office for more information about our client service in DUI and DWI cases.

 

In Minnesota, the formal term for drinking and driving charges is DWI (Driving While Impaired), also known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence) elsewhere. DWI penalties have become increasingly strict; even a first offense leads to a driver's license revocation. As part of our client service in DWI defense, we prioritize safeguarding your interests during DMV license revocation hearings and limited driver's license applications, allowing you to continue commuting to work.

 

Minnesota imposes two tiers of penalties for DWI convictions, including guilty pleas, based on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) evidence. Driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher incurs lesser punishment than a BAC of .20 percent or higher.

 

Commercial drivers must adhere to a maximum allowable BAC of .04 percent, while individuals under 21 can face conviction with a BAC as low as .02 percent. Penalties include jail time, which may be suspended for first offenders, significant fines, and varying lengths of license revocation based on your BAC level and the number of DWI or DUI convictions within the past decade.


At Doda & McGeeney, our attorneys thoroughly analyze the circumstances of your arrest and the details of your field sobriety and blood tests to determine the merits of your case and potential defenses. We also consider your broader situation to protect what matters most to you.

 

Whether your concerns involve auto insurance, probation violations, professional licenses, security clearances, or even the potential forfeiture of your vehicle, we work closely with you and the prosecution to shield you from the most severe consequences of the charge.

 

Different Minnesota counties handle DWI cases in various ways, with some prosecutors open to plea negotiations based on specific evidence and individual circumstances, while others may be less flexible. Leveraging our extensive experience in effective DUI and DWI defense, we help you make informed decisions by objectively assessing your risks.

 

Additionally, our experience in serious felony defense equips us to represent clients facing more severe charges resulting from a DWI arrest, particularly those involving fatal or injury accidents.

 

Convictions for criminal vehicular operations resulting in death can carry a sentence of ten years in prison, and effectively defending against such charges may require the skills of an experienced criminal trial lawyer.

 

For a complimentary consultation on our ability to effectively represent your interests in the face of severe DWI charges, contact an attorney at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester.

Book a Free Consultation

Asset Forfeiture

Minnesota Asset Forfeiture Defense and Recovery

If you are facing asset forfeiture due to an arrest or conviction, seek the guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester, MN. In certain criminal cases, the government can impose fines or imprisonment and seize personal property and assets believed to be connected to the crime or acquired through illegal activity.

 

Asset forfeiture can be a separate proceeding or part of the criminal case, depending on the specific charge and circumstances. For instance, in drug cases, if law enforcement discovers a significant amount of cash during a search or vehicle inspection, it is presumed to be associated with drug-related transactions on the defendant's part. The money will be seized through asset forfeiture, requiring the defendant to prove that the funds have a legitimate source.

 

Various property types can be subject to asset forfeiture, including jewelry, real estate, bank deposits, firearms, luxury goods, boats, aircraft, and, most commonly, motor vehicles. Cars and trucks are frequently targeted due to the discovery of illegal drugs or their use in connection with prostitution or subsequent DWI convictions under certain circumstances.

 

At Doda & McGeeney, our lawyers have a strong track record of successfully advocating for the return of forfeited assets based on several grounds, such as demonstrating that the assets should rightfully belong to the owner or proving ownership by someone else. In the worst-case scenario, we can often negotiate the buyback of seized property, especially motor vehicles. In the best-case procedure, where the criminal charges are dismissed or result in acquittal, we can usually secure the return of all seized property.

 

Additionally, we offer a peripheral service related to criminal defense: expungement of criminal convictions. Expunging and sealing criminal records in Minnesota is a complex process that directly applies to specific offenses and situations. However, we can provide knowledgeable counsel and determine if expungement is possible in other circumstances not explicitly covered by the statute. Our firm has a high success rate in obtaining client expungement orders when a substantial likelihood of approval exists.

 

To explore your options in asset forfeiture or records expungement cases, contact an attorney at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester.


Drug Crimes

Defending Victims of The War Against Drugs

The war on drugs started in the 1970s. The chief casualties of this war have been people caught purchasing or selling small quantities. Even simple offenses like pot possession can lead to felony charges and prison time.

 

We have ruined the lives of tens of thousands of young people in this war.

Don't Let Your Loved One Be the Next Casualty

At Doda & McGeeney, we are committed to vigorously representing young people charged with drug crimes. We address charges involving:

  • Possession of controlled substances
  • Possession with intent to sell/deliver
  • Trafficking and distribution
  • Manufacturing and transporting
  • Doctor shopping
  • Prescription pill offenses, including Vicodin and OxyContin
  • Synthetic drugs
  • Drug-free zones
  • Possession of controlled substances
  • Possession with intent to sell/deliver
  • Trafficking and distribution
  • Manufacturing and transporting
  • Doctor shopping
  • Prescription pill offenses, including Vicodin and OxyContin
  • Synthetic drugs
  • Drug-free zones

We also represent people charged with driving under the influence of drugs (DUI), including prescribed medicines.

Experienced Defense for Olmsted County And Rochester, Minnesota

Drug charges are brought at both the state and federal levels. Attorney James McGeeney has helped hundreds of clients obtain the best possible outcomes in their drug cases, including dismissal, plea bargaining for lesser offenses, and diversion programs.

 

Doda & McGeeney provides the elements you need in a sound defense — knowledge of the law, trial experience, and the determination and tenacity to fight every inch of the way for your rights.

 

If you or a family member has been charged with a drug crime, do not talk to police. Call drug defense lawyer Jim McGeeney at (507) 536-0555 immediately—every hour counts in mounting an effective defense.

Book a Free Consultation

Sex Crimes 

Protecting the Rights Of People Charged With Sex Crimes

Conviction on a sex charge may be the worst criminal conviction because you will likely be placed on a sex offender registry. Nothing is more humiliating or so destructive to a career, family, and relationships.

 

These are some of the offenses we defend against in Olmsted County and southeast Minnesota:

  • Rape, statutory rape, sexual battery, and sexual assault
  • Computer sex crimes, including pornography involving minors
  • Traveling to meet a minor
  • Lewd and lascivious molestation
  • Child molestation
  • Prostitution and solicitation
  • Harassment by sexting
  • Rape, statutory rape, sexual battery, and sexual assault
  • Computer sex crimes, including pornography involving minors
  • Traveling to meet a minor
  • Lewd and lascivious molestation
  • Child molestation
  • Prostitution and solicitation
  • Harassment by sexting

A typical defensive strategy in a sex crime case is to show that the evidence is inconclusive. Many charges are built on "he said/she said" circumstances. Vile accusations are sometimes made from spite. Sometimes offenses occur, but the person charged with the crime is not the person who committed it.

Asserting Your Rights Every Step of The Way

Sex crime defenses fight an uphill battle. Juries can be quick to convict people when the crime is unsavory. You need a trial-tested defense lawyer like James McGeeney to see you through and protect your rights at every stage.

 

Defense attorney James McGeeney's great resource is his knowledge of Minnesota statutes and how the courts have interpreted them in thousands of cases. If there is a case that sheds light on the charges against you, he will use it to your advantage.

 

Do not be discouraged. Charges can be dismissed entirely. Serious charges can be reduced to minor charges. We will work to protect your reputation and do everything possible to prevent your registration as an offender. You will be treated with respect and consideration.

 

To discuss the charges against you and to map out an effective strategy against them, contact Doda McGeeney in Rochester at (507) 536-0555.

Book a Free Consultation

Theft and Fraud 

Serious Defense Against Theft and Fraud Charges

Four Facts About Theft

  1. Theft happens when property changes hands without authorization.
  2. The stolen item may be money, property, a vehicle, merchandise, or services.
  3. The accused must have intended to steal the property. Threat, violence, or deception may have played a role.
  4. If you come into possession of property that you know is stolen, that is another form of theft.

Many people, especially young people, get into trouble for property crimes. Property crimes range from petty theft and shoplifting to more severe theft — stealing a car or other valuable property. The dollar value of the stolen property distinguishes petty theft from grand theft.

 

There is white-collar theft, such as embezzlement. And there is a fraud — theft by misrepresentation.

Experience for The Greater Rochester, Minnesota, Area

The criminal defense lawyers at Doda McGeeney are experienced and successful in representing clients against every kind of theft and fraud charge:

  • Shoplifting and possession of shoplifting gear
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Embezzlement
  • Identity and credit card theft
  • Mail theft and mail fraud
  • Employee theft
  • Stolen and counterfeit checks
  • Bad checks
  • Theft by deception
  • Shoplifting and possession of shoplifting gear
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Embezzlement
  • Identity and credit card theft
  • Mail theft and mail fraud
  • Employee theft
  • Stolen and counterfeit checks
  • Bad checks
  • Theft by deception

Many property crimes, like credit card and mail theft, stretch across state lines or cyberspace. James McGeeney will defend you in state or federal court against these charges.

 

For serious defense against serious criminal charges, call attorney Jim McGeeney at Doda McGeeney of Rochester, (507) 536-0555.

Book a Free Consultation

Assault and Battery 

Effective Defense When You Are Charged with Assault and Battery

Assault and battery are two crimes that often occur together. Assault is the threat or run-up to a physical attack. Pointing a knife at someone or throwing an object at them constitutes assault. Battery, from which we get the words battering and beating, is the actual physical attack.

Assault and battery are often misdemeanors, but they become gross misdemeanors or felonies as violence and physical harm increase. Many charges involve young people getting into fights or shoving contests in bars or on the street. James McGeeney defends southeastern Minnesotans against these charges and an array of other allegations of violent crimes:

  • Assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Aggravated assault
  • Aggravated battery
  • Domestic assault
  • Child abuse
  • Order for protection violations
  • Restraining order violations
  • Assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Aggravated assault
  • Aggravated battery
  • Domestic assault
  • Child abuse
  • Order for protection violations
  • Restraining order violations

Assault Against Protected Professionals

Felony assault charges can be levied against those who inflict visible bodily harm on these employees while the employee is on duty:

  • Police, corrections officers, and probation officers
  • State hospital employees
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency medical services personnel
  • Doctors, nurses, and other providers
  • Police, corrections officers, and probation officers
  • State hospital employees
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency medical services personnel
  • Doctors, nurses, and other providers

If you do not have an experienced attorney on your side in an assault and battery case, it is essential to contact a skilled lawyer as soon as you are arrested. Even if the police seem sympathetic to you, do not talk to them. Have Jim McGeeney do your speaking for you. If you say the wrong thing, your defense is much more difficult.

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Domestic Violence 

Vigorous Defense Against Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic violence charges can be filed against anyone living in a home accused of harming or threatening to harm another person. It can be a husband against a wife, an adult against a child, a child against an adult (including elderly adults), or one unmarried person against another.

While it is wise to protect family members against harm by other family members, not all domestic violence charges are what they seem. You can be charged with domestic violence without ever touching the other person. 

 

Charges can be leveled against you for ulterior reasons, such as obtaining advantage in a custody fight.

Effective Defense for Southeastern Minnesota

Domestic violence charges have two dimensions: civil and criminal. The civil part likely involves restraining order charges that lead to a temporary protection order preventing contact with the other party. The illegal part is usually an assault charge.

 

If you are charged with this crime, you already know what the repercussions may be. You may be evicted from your home. You may be kept from seeing your children. You may lose your Second Amendment rights. Your reputation and career may suffer accordingly.

 

These reasons should motivate you to work with the most experienced, knowledgeable domestic violence attorney you can find. And it would help if you did it now because your rights are already in grave jeopardy.

Book a Free Consultation

Juvenile Offenses 

When Your Child Is in Trouble With The Law

It is a nightmare many parents go through. A call from the police asks you to come to the station. Your son or daughter has been picked up for smoking pot, shoplifting, or fighting with another young person.

These are not called juvenile crimes — they are called delinquencies. But they do as much damage to your child's future as a conviction for an adult crime. They can put school plans on hold. Worse, they have significant emotional and psychological impacts and can trigger a negative spiral into anger and acting out.

The World Is Confusing, And Kids Get Confused

These are some of the most common offenses (delinquencies) kids get picked up for:

  • Shoplifting/petty theft
  • Car theft or joyriding
  • Fighting
  • Traffic offenses
  • Sex offenses
  • Gang activities
  • Underage drinking and driving (DUI)
  • Possessing marijuana, cocaine or prescription drugs, or other drug crimes
  • Vandalism and graffiti
  • Shoplifting/petty theft
  • Car theft or joyriding
  • Fighting
  • Traffic offenses
  • Sex offenses
  • Gang activities
  • Underage drinking and driving (DUI)
  • Possessing marijuana, cocaine or prescription drugs, or other drug crimes
  • Vandalism and graffiti

Getting Your Southeastern Minnesota Child Back on Track

At Doda McGeeney, we understand that you love your child and want only the best for them. That's why our lawyers are committed to going the whole nine yards to prevent this unfortunate event from getting worse. You do not want your child to spend time in the system. We will work to see that your child receives the counsel they need to stay out of trouble and to understand how much is at stake.

 

Our attorneys will walk you carefully through every stage of the juvenile justice process, explaining it and strategizing the best outcome for your child.

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Expungement

Expunging Damaging Information From Your Court Records

If you have ever had any brush with the law — if you were arrested, charged, indicted, or tried — these events appear on your criminal record. It doesn't matter if the charges were dismissed, it was a case of mistaken identity, or you were found not guilty. Your description is there for anyone — schools, employers, neighbors. That will cause you problems.

 

Expungement is the way Minnesotans can seal their court records so that embarrassing and damaging information no longer appears. James McGeeney of the Rochester firm of Doda McGeeney is skilled in expunging and sealing these records.

 

Not all records can be expunged, but many can, including documents relating to controlled substances and offenses by juveniles prosecuted as adults. Under Minnesota's Second Chance Law, even convictions may sometimes be expunged. And the expungement can occur in multiple government agencies, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Department of Human Services.

Making Records of Your Arrest Go Away

Your record does not literally disappear. Law enforcement officials can still access your entire history under various circumstances. But you can lawfully declare on job applications and elsewhere that you have not been convicted of a crime.

 

Jim McGeeney will meet with you and walk you through the documentation necessary to have your records sealed. After 60 days, the court may schedule a hearing to consider your request. With a capable and experienced lawyer at your side, your prospects for expungement are quite good.

 

Suppose you receive a stay of adjudication or complete the terms of a diversion program. In that case, you may request expungement after waiting one year — provided you have not been charged with another crime in the meantime.

 

The expungement process can be complex. Call expungement attorney Jim McGeeney for a no-charge, no-obligation first consultation. He can evaluate your chances for expungement and lay out a plan to clear your record. Call (507) 536-0555.

Book a Free Consultation

Personal Injury 

Southeast Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident or equipment malfunction at work, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester. We offer highly personalized client service to accident victims in various negligence situations. There is no charge for a consultation, and we accept cases on a contingent fee basis – we don't get paid unless you win.

 

Examples of the kinds of cases we handle are the following:

  • Car accidents, including those involving pedestrians or bicyclists
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Semi-truck and commercial vehicle accidents
  • Claims for car accident injuries caused by drunk drivers under the dram shop law
  • Workplace or construction accidents
  • Farm accidents
  • Slip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, and other accidents caused by unsafe property conditions
  • Products liability cases, including defective components claims in car accident cases
  • Medical malpractice claims
  • Fatal accident cases under Minnesota wrongful death law
  • Car accidents, including those involving pedestrians or bicyclists
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Semi-truck and commercial vehicle accidents
  • Claims for car accident injuries caused by drunk drivers under the dram shop law
  • Workplace or construction accidents
  • Farm accidents
  • Slip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, and other accidents caused by unsafe property conditions
  • Products liability cases, including defective components claims in car accident cases
  • Medical malpractice claims
  • Fatal accident cases under Minnesota wrongful death law

Our goal in all personal injury litigation is to maximize the value of your recovery. We investigate the facts of your case and document your injuries and treatment needs to ensure that every essential element of your case is supported by evidence, first to convince the insurance companies and, when necessary, to convince the jury.

 

Our experience in court can give you a distinct advantage if we need to present your liability and damages claims in court.

 

Suppose your case involves severe injuries, such as trauma to the brain or spinal cord damage. In that case, we ensure that expert testimony supports the full range of your damages claims. We can protect you from the risk that an early settlement will prove inadequate to meet your future needs.

 

For a free consultation about your options in any car accident or other personal injury situation, contact a lawyer at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester.


Business and Civil Litigation 

Minnesota Business and Commercial Law

For experienced advice and skilled representation on any business matter, from initial entity selection to complex commercial litigation, contact the Rochester law firm of Doda & McGeeney. We provide general counsel services for closely held businesses, including corporations and limited liability companies, and partnerships throughout southeast Minnesota, from Northfield to Winona and Owatonna to Albert Lea.

 

For entrepreneurs, nonprofits, professional practice groups, and new partnerships, we can advise you about choosing the proper business structure that will fit your organizational needs, management style, and risk tolerance. As we tell our new business clients, we clean you out the door. In some industries, genuine estate, and property management, organizing a new limited partnership or LLC for every property or project can be a good idea. New business formation is only sometimes a one-time need.

 

Once your business is up and running, we can document and revise your basic agreements and operating contracts, negotiate, and review significant transactions, and advise you about specific problems in such areas as the following:

  • Commercial leases and construction
  • Corporate governance
  • Minority owner disputes
  • Collections, financing, and debtor-creditor problems
  • Estate planning for business owners
  • Purchase and sale of business assets and mergers, including due diligence

As a full-service business law firm, we work with you to integrate our services into your broader team, including your financial and tax advisers, marketing personnel, and other professionals. We aim to help you maximize your opportunities while keeping your risk to an acceptable minimum.

 

Litigation risk can never be eliminated. As courtroom lawyers, we stand behind every contract and document we draft on your behalf, and we are prepared when necessary to assert or defend your rights in commercial or corporate litigation of all kinds.

 

Whether you run a construction company, a medical practice, or a photo studio, we can help you work toward an effective solution to any business dispute, out of court whenever possible, in litigation as your interests require.

 

For additional information about the scope of our business and commercial law practice, contact an attorney at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester.


Construction Law 

Southeast Minnesota Construction Law Attorneys

At the Rochester law firm of Doda & McGeeney, our lawyers represent owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers on various construction matters in commercial, residential, and public projects. Contact our law firm for dependable advice and representation on your next construction project.

 

We aim to protect your interests at every stage, from initial negotiation and review of the contract to litigation of defect or warranty claims. At the front end, we can review the project and your agreement to ensure that your risk is limited to matters that will remain within your control and that the insurance of other participants will be sufficient to keep your risk low. 

 

For developers and general contractors, you are typically named as an additional insured on every other participant's policy. For subcontractors and suppliers, your role is clearly defined, your insurance covers your risks, and your rights to defense and indemnification are not too narrowly conditioned.

 

We anticipate and work to resolve such construction project considerations as the following:

  • Public contracting requirements under state or federal law
  • Mechanic's liens and payment bonds
  • Negotiation of subcontracts and materials purchases
  • Bid disputes on public projects
  • Public contracting requirements under state or federal law
  • Mechanic's liens and payment bonds
  • Negotiation of subcontracts and materials purchases
  • Bid disputes on public projects

Our experience with construction law allows us to represent contractors on public infrastructure projects such as highways, schools, cable installation, and more conventional private development.

 

We also advise and represent clients in litigation on issues ranging from foreclosure to enforcing a lien to declaratory judgment actions to define your rights under an insurance policy in defense of defect or warranty claims.

 

For additional information about the scope of our construction law practice, contact a lawyer at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester. We represent clients throughout southeast Minnesota, from Northfield and Red Wing to Owatonna and Winona.


Contract Dispute and Mechanic's Liens 

Southeastern Minnesota is always building, and that is great. The downside is misunderstandings and mistakes often boil over into litigated matters. At Doda McGeeney, we have experience representing every side of construction litigation.

Our clients include general contractors, subcontractors, materials providers, and property owners.

Severe Law for Significant Disputes

Our lawyers represent both sides in money, contracts, and defects disputes.

  • Mechanic's liens and collections
  • Construction defect claims againstcontractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers
  • Bid Protests
  • Differing site conditions and disputed change orders
  • Termination claims, backcharges, offsets, and deductive change order claims
  • Disburser's notices
  • Verified claims and bond claims
  • Miller Act claims
  • Mechanic's liens and collections
  • Construction defect claims againstcontractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers
  • Bid Protests
  • Differing site conditions and disputed change orders
  • Termination claims, back charges, offsets, and deductive change order claims
  • Disburser's notices
  • Verified claims and bond claims
  • Miller Act claims

These cases are never minor, and we take them very seriously. We understand your concerns about cost and the distraction of litigation. We also understand the necessity of putting the problem behind you so that you can get about your business.

 

Let us work to resolve these matters most advantageously to you: in arbitration or mediation, through negotiation, or by lawsuit.

 

Our attorneys have satisfactorily resolved hundreds of cases like yours. We can satisfactorily resolve yours as well.

We invite you to describe your problem by calling us at our Rochester offices at (507) 536-0555.


Estate Planning 

Minnesota Estate Planning and Probate Law

The attorneys of Doda & McGeeney advise families and small businesses throughout southeast Minnesota about planning for their future and that of their children. Contact our office in Rochester to learn how our estate planning solutions can address your needs.


Almost everyone should have a basic estate plan: last will, power of attorney, and health care directive. These instruments will reflect your careful planning for the transfer of your assets, the designation of trusted persons to manage your finances and medical treatment if you cannot pay due to a severe accident or incapacity, and your specific preferences as to whether or when life support should be terminated in a final illness or catastrophic injury.

 

These basic estate planning instruments can be supplemented with trusts that divide the title to certain assets from the benefit of owning them. 

 

These are often advisable to accomplish such goals as wealth preservation, managing exposure to estate taxes, keeping a family farm intact, or addressing the future needs of vulnerable relatives or developmentally disabled children. 


A living trust can transfer title while retaining the benefit of much or all of your estate while you are still alive and, if properly drafted and updated, can bypass probate upon your death.

 

We advise clients about more sophisticated trusts for more complex business succession, charitable, or life-care planning purposes. For many families, anticipating the need for in-home care and assistance as an alternative to a nursing home will be an essential estate planning objective.

 

We can advise you about options ranging from Medicaid eligibility protection to private disability insurance.


Our lawyers also provide full client service in probate matters ranging from the administration of an intestate estate to litigation of disputes over wills and trusts. For out-of-state executors or administrators, we can handle everything without needing you to return to Minnesota.

 

We can also take care of the probate of Minnesota estates holding assets in other states, such as lake home property in Wisconsin.

 

 

For additional information about the range of our experience in estate planning and probate, contact a lawyer at Doda & McGeeney in Rochester.


Probate Administration and Litigation

Meticulous Probate Administration and Effective Will Litigation


When a loved one dies, the last thing anyone wants is to get bogged down in legal questions. That's one of the benefits of working with a skilled probate administration attorney like Daniel Doda of Rochester.

We work with executors, administrators, personal representatives, and heirs, taking action to close the loved one's estate successfully. A primary task is paying debts before distributing assets to heirs. This means:

  • Searching the decedent's papers to create a list of potential creditors
  • Examining the decedent's bank accounts for recurring payments may indicate an existing debt
  • Learning the status of the decedent's active credit card accounts
  • Contacting parties that provided medical care or assistance before the decedent's death


Steady Probate Administration for Southeastern Minnesota


Lawyer Daniel Doda works behind the scenes to ensure the probate process proceeds in the background as the family adjusts to its loss. Trusting something other than this work to your family attorney is usually best. Probate paperwork is complex, and the list of tasks to be completed is long. We are known for the care with which we complete these tasks, avoiding delays.

 

Daniel Doda also assists with probate litigation and will contests. We work to resolve family disputes relating to:

 

  • The transfer of farmland
  • Breach of fiduciary duty by the executor
  • Removal of fiduciaries
  • Contested wills, often involving claims of undue influence
  • Challenges to fees
  • Improper actions by agents under a power of attorney

 

Disagreements arise over wills, and it is better to resolve them legally than have them decay over the years. If you have questions about probate administration or disputes over wills, direct them to attorney Daniel Doda of Doda McGeeney. Phone him at (507) 536-0555.

Need help finding what you're looking for? Call our friendly staff at 507-536-0555

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