Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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melindagg.bsky.social
Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
@melindagg.bsky.social
19 followers 24 following 41 posts
Attorney, Photographer, Blogger, Reader, Spouse, Parent, Cat Mom
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melindagg.bsky.social
Lawyers and our hypotheticals! Apparently it's not just an American thing. Learn more about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate from Australia's comedy, Fisk. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/11/hypo...
Hypothetically Speaking: IOUs, Lawnmowers, and Professional Boundaries in Fisk, Season 3
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Believe it or not, attorneys operate under a code of ethics. Some more great lessons, and laughs, from Australia's comedy, Fisk. Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/11/esta...
Estate Planning by Sitcom: Lessons from Fisk on Lawyer Ethics and Inheritance
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Another great lesson from the Australian comedy Fisk! Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/12/red-...
Red Flags in the Hospital Room: Why Waiting to Sign Your Will Is a Bad Idea
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
As we pause to celebrate #nationalphilanthropyday, consider how each and everyone of us has the power to change the world. Check out my latest blog post. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/11/upse...
Upset With the World? The Middle Class Philanthropist Has Your Answer on National Philanthropy Day
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
What happens when an #estateplanning and #probate attorney starts thinking about the #Thanksgiving meal? Details in today's blog post; think beyond the retirement account and consider who'll inherit your cookie cutter collection.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/11/stop...
Stop the Fights Before They Start: Planning for 7 Sentimental Thanksgiving Heirlooms
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Melding the #Halloween vibe with real world situations in the area of #estateplanning and #probate was the inspiration for today's blog post. Stay informed, knowledge is powerful.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/10/dont...
Don't Let Intestacy Turn Your Home Into a House of Horrors
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate. This week on the blog, lesson learned from the film The Friend. Pet trusts.....do you need one?
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/10/apol...
Apollo's Lesson: What The Film, The Friend, Teaches Us About Pet Trusts
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:40 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Peaceful expression in Madison, WI. Fascism has no place in America.
October 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Uncertain who to appoint as your personal representative (called an executor in other states)? Check out my latest blog post for 5 traits to look for when nominating someone.
#estateplanning #probate
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/10/make...
Make The Right Choice: 5 Traits of a Fiscally Responsible Personal Representative
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Tenacious plants and a cat, age approximately 19.
October 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Summer day trip inspired this week's blog post. Don't drop the ball and overlook a unique asset when planning your estate. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/10/asse...
Asset Inventory Alert: Don't Drop the Ball on These Overlooked Estate Items
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Enjoyed being out in my community today, presenting an educational seminar on 5 Things All Wisconsinites Should Know About Estate Planning and Probate. Knowledge is key for consumers to make wise decisions. Thanks to Bella at Drumlin Reserve Independent Living for the invite!
October 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
My latest blog post pulls 5 lessons from 20 years of practice. Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/10/20-y...
20 Years, 5 Questions: How the Five Ws Can Build Your Perfect Estate Plan
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Today marks my 20th year of operating my legal practice. I would like to pause mid-day to say thank you to everyone who has offered support and words of encouragement over the years. Thank you! I'm looking forward to many more years serving my community. Be well, and Go Badgers!
October 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Films entertain us & educate u. This posts looks at the film Manchester by the Sea, examining the movie's lessons on nominating a guardian for your child in a will. Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/09/more...
More than Just a Movie: What Manchester by the Sea Teaches Us About Guardianship
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Wrote a little blog piece on the advances in tech scams. Stay informed about the law that affects us all, #estateplanning and #probate. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/05/pock...
Pocket Peace of Mind: Estate Planning and Probate Lessons from Rome's Pickpockets to Today's Tech Scams
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
May 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Thinking about the role of Survivorship Clauses in a will this morning; a key element missing from the late Gene Hackman's will. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/05/ensu...
Ensuring Smooth Transitions: Gene Hackman's Will Teaches Us the The Importance of Survivorship Clauses
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
princetonupress.bsky.social
Booksellers have faced censorship and harassment defending the freedom to read. Celebrate your local bookstore and support their ongoing role in safeguarding intellectual freedom.

press.princeton.edu/ideas/bookst...

#BookstoreDay
This essay traces the long and turbulent history of American booksellers who have faced censorship, harassment, and even violence for defending the freedom to read. Through vivid anecdotes and historical cases-from undercover stings in the early 1900s and legal battles over “obscene” literature, to FBI surveillance of Black bookstores and bomb threats against feminist and LGBTQ+ shops-the author illustrates how bookstores have repeatedly become battlegrounds in the fight for civil liberties and free expression. Despite intimidation from both government and private groups, booksellers have pushed back, shaping legal precedents and rallying communities to defend First Amendment rights. The essay ultimately calls on readers to recognize bookstores as “arsenals of democracy” and to support their ongoing role in safeguarding intellectual freedom.
April 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
melindagg.bsky.social
Walking to work on #Earthday gave me the mental space to compose a short blog post on the role of eco-friendly decluttering and your estate plan. Check it out; stay informed about the law that affects us all: #estateplanning and #probate. gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/04/decl...
Decluttering for Peace of Mind: An Earth Day and Estate Planning Perspective
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
It's National Healthcare Decision day. Check out my recent blog post, and stay informed about the law that affects us all - estate planning and probate.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/04/nati...
National Healthcare Decision Day - What to Know
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
April 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Post conditioning workout for an upcoming 5k. Calming Lake Mendota in a disturbing and turbulent world. Finding calm is essential.
April 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
aclu.org
Today at 8pm ET/5pm PT we're hosting a Know Your Rights training to prepare for our Hands Off rallies on Saturday.

RSVP for the Zoom link: act.aclu.org/a/handsoffkyr
Blue graphic with text "Know your rights before you hit the streets. Virtual training Friday, April 4th at 8 PM ET, 5pm PT"
April 4, 2025 at 9:10 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Last week I spent some time thinking about the unfortunate trends in elder financial abuse. Check out my blog post for details. Stay informed about the law that affects us all, estate planning and probate.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/03/fina...
Financial Elder Abuse: What is It and What to Look For
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
March 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Storytelling is a powerful way to learn. Check out last Friday's blog post for lessons learned from Hollywood. Estate Planning & the movies.
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com/2025/03/and-...
And The Academy Award Goes To…..Estate Planning Nightmares
gustafsonlegal.blogspot.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:12 PM
melindagg.bsky.social
Second protest today. It's a democracy, not a monarchy. Do your job #Congress.
March 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM