Jason Hafemann
Partner
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Phone: (952) 476-6382
Fax: (952) 476-8523

“For me, the best part of practicing law is forming lasting and trusted relationships with our clients. The only way to craft a thoughtful, meaningful and complete estate plan is to truly understand each person’s goals and circumstances.”

Jason O. Hafemann, attorney, grew up in New Germany, MN. Before law school, he worked for two years at the Minnesota Attorney General Office in the Consumer Division. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Jason was a Senior Editor of the Law Journal. Subsequently, Jason completed a 3- Year Masters of Taxation Degree (LL.M.) from Boston University, with a Graduate Certificate in Estate Planning. He interned with Federal Judge Magnuson at the United States District Court and also held an externship at the Hennepin County Probate Court. Jason is an avid sports fan and fisherman, plays golf and volleyball, and participates in Tough Mudder events throughout the country.

Education
  • LL.M. in Taxation, Boston University
  • J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law
  • Certificate, Estate Planning, Boston University
  • B.A., History and International Studies
Bar Admissions

Minnesota
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Texas
Montana
New York
United States Tax Court
United States District Court

Areas of practice and representative clients
Estates & Trusts Planning
  • Understanding in the unique structures needed for International Estate Planning.
  • Comprehensive and specialized estate plans, including wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives and more.
  • Guidance through the complex family dynamics following the death of key family members.
  • Coordination of multi-generational goals during estate planning relating to the transfer of wealth.
  • Planning for large-scale family real estate assets: homes, vacation properties, and farmland.
  • Creation of unique planning tools, such as Asset Protection Trusts, for the protection of heirs.
Estate Tax, Gift Tax & Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Planning
  • Dynastic strategies and tax-efficient vehicles for multi-generational wealth transfer.
  • Sophisticated and tax-efficient wealth transfer plans.
  • Lifetime gifting strategies (including outright and in trust) that leverage exclusions and exemptions.
Business Transfer and Succession Planning
  • Guidance for tax-efficient strategies in transitioning out of family-owned businesses.
  • Advisement to business owners with development of tax-wise giving strategies using business interests.
  • Development of tax-efficient strategies in the sale of closely held businesses.
Income Tax Planning
  • Evaluate business structures to determine and utilize the most tax-efficient models
  • Utilizing asset-based estate planning focused on basis considerations
  • Creation of trusts and transfer of trusts to more favorable income tax jurisdictions.
  • Achieve income tax goals for high net worth individuals, such as cost basis planning to reduce income tax liability for beneficiaries.
Estate and Probate Administration
  • Represent personal representatives in the administration of estates.
  • Assist personal representatives and beneficiaries in navigating the intricacies of an oftentimes emotional and difficult process.
  • Represent personal representatives and beneficiaries in contested estate administration cases.
Trust Administration
  • Work to ensure correct trust administration and that the trust’s purposes are being achieved.
  • Work with trust officers, trust companies, trustees, beneficiaries, investment advisors and others throughout the administration of the trust.
  • Assist in modifying existing irrevocable trusts, so that they best address current needs and circumstances and changes in the law.
Foundations & Charitable Planning
  • Oversee and administer the creation of charities and private foundations
  • Assist in charitable planning for donations to foreign entities, including exercising expenditure responsibilities and obtaining equivalency determination.
  • Represent clients in founding charities worldwide, working closely with local counsel and others to ensure foreign entity achieved not-for-profit status.
Business & Corporate Law
  • Forming closely held business, including corporation, limited liability companies and limited partnerships.
  • Creating and using Special Purpose Entities for estate planning and trust administration.
  • Preserving and protecting client entity structures.