About Doug Mentes, Esq.
Douglas Mentes is an alum of Drake University with a degree in journalism, who has covered news in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. He has a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and ran his own law firm for more than 10 years in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning designation as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He practiced in the areas of family law, real estate and probate, handling several successful appeals. He currently covers bankruptcy law for Thomson Reuters.
Articles written by Doug Mentes, Esq.
How Do I Get My Property Listed on the National Register?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Getting your property on the local or national registers may qualify it for tax benefit. Data also suggests that historic properties show a faster increase in value over nearby, non-historic, comparable properties. The National Register nomination process begins with getting listed with the state historic preservation office, or the local heritage preservation office. Local …
What Are My Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees eligible employees a certain minimum level of unpaid leave from work for: The birth of a child; Adoption; Serious family health problems; or Their own serious health condition. The FMLA requires qualified employees to receive unpaid leave rights for 12 weeks every calendar year and continuation of their health insurance coverage as if they had not taken leave. Federal law requires employers to meet their obligations under FMLA protections or …
Does HIPAA Protect My Health Information?
A major reason for the 1996 enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was to protect patient health information (PHI) and medical records from being used or disclosed improperly according to HIPAA privacy rules. Part of federal HIPAA law is the Privacy Rule, which defines and limits the circumstances in which an individual’s protected health information may be used or disclosed by health providers and health plans. What Is Protected Health Information? All …
Should I Elect COBRA Coverage?
COBRA rights can be a confusing law for the public. Its name bears little relation to what it regulates. COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. But this federal law regulates employee health insurance coverage, essentially requiring that employees be given the opportunity to continue their health coverage when they leave their job. Enacted in 1986, COBRA election was meant to protect workers from doubly suffering a job loss and loss of health benefits for …
Do I Have to Consent to a Police Search of My Car in Louisiana?
An officer asking to do a search of your car can be a confusing question, especially if they ask it during what appears to be a routine traffic stop. Many people don’t understand what their rights are in this situation, and whether or not they should cooperate with the officer’s request. “Many honest, hard-working people have this belief that if they comply—and give the officer this and give him that—this officer is going to be my friend. It just doesn’t work out that way,” …
What Laws Do Minnesota Airbnb Hosts Need to Follow?
Short-term vacation rental lodging has gained popularity recently, and laws and regulations are beginning to catch up with this new form of lodging. For property owners considering this revenue stream, they must understand the various layers of rules and regulations involved—from the federal level, down to the local level. Do Landlord-Tenant Laws Apply to Short-Term Rentals? Short-term rentals are not subject to state landlord-tenant laws and seem to fall outside traditional hotel and …
Can I Keep a Tenant’s Security Deposit?
Minnesota landlords can easily get themselves into trouble with their tenants' security deposits. Even a simple management mistake, like missing a deadline, could be costly. If a landlord withholds any amount of the security deposit, Minnesota security deposit laws require them to demonstrate that the expenses are legitimate and not ordinary wear. If not, landlords could be subject to civil code fines, penalties, and court costs. When Can Landlords Keep the Security Deposit? Minnesota …
What to Do If You Suspect Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination can be very hard to judge, as a landlord might have a valid reason for denying a tenant’s application to rent or enforcing a lease provision. Many times, this conduct is not discrimination. But often, there is no way to be sure. Thus, rental applicants, tenants, and homebuyers are forced to act on their suspicions to enforce the law. If you have a suspicion your application was wrongfully denied or that lease terms are being enforced differently on you compared to other …
How Do I Evict a Tenant in Minnesota?
Minnesota landlord-tenant law places many requirements on residential and commercial property lessors, ensuring owners remain responsible and treat their tenants fairly. When it comes time to evict a tenant for a lease violation, landlords will find that their compliance efforts make the eviction process much simpler. For starters, state law requires landlords to follow the Minnesota eviction process and not engage in self-help, which might include cutting off utilities or changing locks. If …
How To Respond to a Rent Escrow Action
There may be nothing more important for rental property owners who lease to residential tenants than maintaining their property and quickly responding to tenant repair concerns. This is in part because Minnesota landlord-tenant law protects tenants from sub-standard housing by allowing tenants to bring a rent escrow action. A rent escrow is a simple, low-cost court process for tenants to get needed repairs completed when a landlord refuses. Landlords will want to avoid situations in which a …
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