Nathan Kavlie

  • Estate-Planning
  • Transactions and Advising
  • Working with Me
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Be approachable,
and understandable.

Those are my guiding principles as a lawyer.

Hi! I’m Nathan

I love learning about people – hearing their stories and getting to know them better – it’s a trait I get from my mom. (I also love solving problems – that’s from my dad, the engineer.)

Growing up, I watched my mom be talked down to by doctors, by mechanics, by pastors – and I saw how corrosive this was to her sense of self and to her confidence as she navigated these interactions with people who were supposed to help.

I work hard to break that cycle – to encourage all your questions – and to answer them without making you feel like an inconvenience or a fool. I want you to understand the documents you’ll sign – and to understand why you’re signing.

They say the devil’s in the details. If you’re afraid to share or ask questions – those are details that we’re not discussing.

Some additional topics (click “+” to expand)

I’m passionate about understandability.

I ensure that my documents and correspondence are written using precisely chosen, plain language. I want you to understand the documents I’ll ask you to sign.

Especially when it’s a contract between parties, the best way to make sure everybody fulfills their commitments is if everybody understands the documents.

You’ll find me very responsive.

I haven’t had “an office” since 2010 – but thanks to my iPhone and iPads, I’m very available. So regardless of my location, you’ll be find it very easy to reach me.

How that functions depends on you. For some clients, we primarily text back and forth – for others, phone calls are preferred. Others email or schedule video meetings. I’m a big fan of all of those options

Look! Handy buttons!

Text
Call
Email
Meeting

I was raised in Jamestown, North Dakota. Oldest of three boys, I’m the son of Lutheran parents who value education, honesty, and family.

A full scholarship lured me to Kenyon College in rural Ohio – I studied philosophy and politics.

I went to law school in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. I actually loved law school and made so many amazing friends.

I worked at the best law firm in Minneapolis for a few years (mostly doing commercial real estate for Target), then tried two other wonderful firms in Minneapolis before realizing that law firms aren’t the way I want to practice law.

In 2017, a friend from high school and I started Thoughtful Wills. We focused on creating understandable documents and using technology to keep our fees affordable. We decided to wind down Thoughtful Wills in January 2022.

Since then, I’ve built the law practice of my dreams. Helping individuals, families, and small businesses navigate various legal issues.

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Juris Doctor, received 2004
  • Recipient of the Irving Stenn, Jr. Award for Leadership

Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio

  • Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, received 1996
  • Phi beta kappa, inducted 1996

I’ve recently rediscovered the joy of reading! (Law school caused a lengthy hiatus.) And thanks to my eReader, presbyopia is no issue. I usually read three books at a time – switching between philosophy (currently, Stoicism), some respectable literature (currently, Infinite Jest), and something easy (currently, Heated Rivalry).

I’m not a good cook, but I’m a huge fan of Top Chef. And my most-watched TVshow is an 11-hour boat ride through the 18 locks of the Telemark Canal in Norway (if you’re interested…) – tbh, it’s wonderful background noise and watching for a few minutes is a perfect, short break.

Other favorite activities include walking to get ice cream in the summer, watching the rain from our porch, and meandering through new cities.

Harry is a super cuddly rescue dog – he was born in Mexico City and we think he’s around four years old. My constant companion, Harry is a perfect traveler – the Delta flight attendants who work the MSP-MEX route are HUGE fans of Harry.

Harry’s very chill and usually quiet, but he gets really excited when postal workers and delivery folks stop by – so you may hear him in the background during one of our meetings.

If you’re at all intrigued, please reach out.

No obligation, no pressure.

Let’s connect

Purposefully approachable and understandable.

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