Legal guidance that honors
For LGBTQ+ families, non-traditional families, people of color, purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and mission-focused nonprofits throughout the Twin Cities North Metro.
You Deserve a Lawyer Who Celebrates You
Your family, however you define it, deserves legal protection. Your identity deserves recognition. Your relationships deserve authority. Your mission deserves support. And you deserve a lawyer who delivers all of that while designing legal services that fit who you are, what you need, and where you're headed.
If you're navigating chosen family, building a non-marital partnership, or creating something meaningful on your own terms, then you've probably spent too much time translating your life into language the law recognizes.
I'm attorney Cari O'Brien, and I created Cove & Counsel so you don't have to do that anymore. Here, you can simply be yourself.
Your Story Shapes Your Legal Strategy
To build the right legal path forward, I start by understanding who you are, what matters to you, and who matters to you.
Who depends on you? Who do you trust? What keeps you up at night? What are you building? What are you protecting? Once I understand what matters, we build the legal structure around it—not the other way around.
This is what I call Whole-Self Legal Services™.
I ask thoughtful questions so you don't have to translate yourself. I explain options in plain language so you understand what you're choosing. I give you time to think so you're never rushed into decisions that affect you for decades. And I design legal structures to fit your actual life.
The Legal Services I Provide
From my Shoreview, Minnesota office, I provide three core services:
Estate Planning & Legacy Design
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, transfer on death deeds, and much more to protect your people.
Business Law & Organizational Strategy
Formation, operating agreements, contracts, and governance for purpose-driven businesses building legal structures aligned with their values.
Nonprofit Formation, Governance & Compliance
501(c)(3) applications, board governance, and compliance support for mission-focused organizations.
Who I Created This Practice For
If you're building something meaningful and desire to protect your people, business, and future, I'm here to help you get the legal foundation right.
LGBTQ+ Individuals & Families
Your partnerships matter. Your chosen family matters. Your identity matters. Estate planning should honor all of it.
People of Color
Your lived experience shapes your legal needs in ways standard processes ignore. You deserve legal guidance that understands institutional barriers and protects what you've built.
Non-Traditional Families
Multi-generational households. Chosen family. Blended families. Co-parenting. Unmarried partnerships. Your legal planning should protect everyone you care about.
Purpose-Driven Leaders
Your values matter. Your mission matters. Your legal structures should honor and reflect it all. Get help from someone who has been in your seat and can help you lead with confidence.
What You’ll Experience Here
Welcomed As You Are
You don't have to translate your identity, your family structure, or your relationships. I meet you where you are and design legal structures that protect your actual life.
Supported in Plain Language
I translate legal complexity into words that make sense. If you don't understand something, it means I need to explain it differently. You'll never sign anything you don't fully understand.
Empowered Through Equity-Based Pricing
You'll know what things cost before we begin. I use flat-fee pricing whenever possible and offer equity-informed pricing based on your circumstances. No surprise bills. No judgment about money questions.
How This Actually Works
STEP
We Talk
You schedule a complimentary discovery call. You share what you're navigating. I listen carefully. We'll discover whether this feels like the right partnership.
STEP
We Design Together
We explore your options in plain language. I outline the tradeoffs. You take time to reflect. We refine together.
STEP
We Build With Confidence
I draft carefully. We review thoroughly. You leave knowing exactly what your documents do, how your structure works, and when to revisit your plan.
Pricing That’s Clear & Accessible
I believe legal services should be truly accessible—not just theoretically available. Cost should never be the reason that keeps you from protecting your people or building your mission properly.
I discuss pricing during discovery calls. I use flat fees whenever possible. And every service is priced on a sliding-scale equity model based on household income, business revenue, or nonprofit budget.
You'll know what things cost before we begin. No surprise bills. No judgment.
You Deserve Legal Guidance That Sees All of You
Every family structure deserves respect. Every identity deserves celebration. Every relationship deserves protection. Every mission deserves support.
You shouldn't have to fit yourself into a template. You shouldn't have to rush important decisions. You shouldn't have to navigate this alone.
I'm here to provide legal guidance that starts with understanding who you are instead of trying to fit you into predetermined boxes. If this resonates with you, I hope you'll reach out.
Your people matter. Your work matters. Your decisions matter. It's time to make sure your legal plan honors it all.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Something brought you here. Maybe you're ready to protect your family. Maybe you're ready to formalize your business. Maybe you're ready to build your nonprofit on solid ground.
Whatever it is, the next step is simple. Schedule your complimentary discovery call.
We'll talk through what you're building and protecting. I'll explain how I can help and provide clear pricing. You'll know whether this feels like the right partnership.
No pressure. No obligation. Just honest conversation about what you need.
Call me directly at 651-342-7890.