Margaret Barrett

My life experiences, training, gifts and passions have all come together in my current career. I have been in situations similar to many of my clients, and I know what will help them. 20 years ago my first husband was tragically killed in a car accident. After the initial shock I spent years supporting my young children as they grieved, representing them in the ensuing estate dispute, and working with the trustee of their trust. Now, as a parent in a family with complex dynamics, I want to ensure things go smoothly for my children in case the unthinkable happens. For the past few years, my siblings and I have worked together to support my parent’s in my Dad’s advancing dementia. Because of my personal experiences, I can relate to my clients’ concerns for their aging parents, for their own retirement planning, and for the best interests of their spouses and children.

Professionally, my experience includes working in accounting and finance, practicing litigation in a big law firm, being a small business owner, and pursuing Medicaid reimbursement at a medical device company. I am active in the Minnesota State Bar Association Elder Law and Probate and Trust Sections, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Minnesota Women Lawyers, and Christian Legal Society of Minnesota. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas, summa cum laude, in 1981, and from William Mitchell College of Law, cum laude, in 1991. I am admitted to practice before Minnesota and Federal District courts.

My family includes two grown, married children, three grandchildren and a teen daughter adopted from Korea. The newest grandson, Hugo, was born in September of 2021!

I was raised to value serving others. Currently, I volunteer with Cancer Legal Line, preparing pro bono estate plans for people with cancer. I am also involved at my church and my daughter’s school. I love to entertain, travel and stay active outdoors hiking, biking, kayaking and cross-country skiing.

I enjoy helping families protect their assets and their loved ones – meeting their goals while minimizing expense, conflict and hassle. It’s important to me to add value to the lives of people I meet. I feel rewarded when my clients say they feel relieved to have their estate plan in place, and they enjoyed the process!

Reach out to my experienced estate planning & elder law team today to see how you can get the process started of protecting what matters most to you.