- Divorce
- Adoption
- Premarital AgreementThese lawyers will be preparing wills and trusts; forming partnerships, corporations, LLCs, LLPs, and limited partnerships; placing minors and adults under conservatorships and guardianships; probating decedents’ estates and administering trusts; filing federal estate and gift tax returns; preparing farm leases, deeds, mortgages and contracts for deed; examining abstracts of title and rendering title opinions; advising boards, fiduciaries, and public officials; prosecuting and defending misdemeanors; handling divorces; preparing prenuptial agreements; petitioning for adoptions; handling farm and residential real estate closings; drafting drainage easements; enforcing security agreements; foreclosing mortgages; collateralizing loans and preparing promissory notes; handling administrative appeals; writing legal briefs; trying lawsuits; filing mechanic liens; applying for extraordinary writs; attending arbitration and mediation sessions; and further serving the good people of Jackson County, Minnesota.
- Guardianship
- Misdemeanors
- Business DisputesMinnesota State Bar Association. Recipient: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019. Board of Governors, now Assembly, 1993-1994, 2003-2008, 2012-2013; 2017-2020. Chair of the Outstate Practice Section, 1992-1994, 2009-2010; Chair of the Agricultural Law Section, 2002-2004; Lawyer Advertising Committee, 1991-1992; Legal Education & Law School Admissions Committee, 2004; Judiciary Committee, 2007-2010; Elections & Appointment Committee, 2017-2018. Member of the Agricultural & Rural Law; Animal Law; Business Law; Elder Law; Immigration Law; Outstate Practice; Probate & Trust Law; Real Property Law; Solo & Small Practice Sections. Current Section Councils: Agricultural & Rural Law, Outstate Practice.
- Easement
- Estate PlanningProfessional Activities and Affiliations: American Agricultural Law Association, Board of Directors, 2007-2010, President, 2014; American College of Trust and Estate Counsel; American Veterinary Medical Law Association; Minnesota Fifth Judicial Court Referee; Jackson County Law Library Trustee, 1993-present; Lakefield City Attorney; Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers; Minnesota State Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2012-present; Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association; Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 Minnesota Rules of General Practice; Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Volunteer lawyer, Campaign for Legal Aid Committee. CONCENTRATION: Probate and Trust Law, Agricultural Law, Taxation, Business and Banking Law, Commercial Law. AWARDS: American Agricultural Law Association, Excellence in Agricultural Law, 2010, Distinguished Service Award, 2019; Minnesota State Bar Association, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019; Minnesota Lawyer Outstanding Service to the Profession Award, 2018; Southwest Initiative Foundation Award, 2016.
- Wills
- Trusts
- Probate
- Tax LawIn presenting the award, Paul Godfrey, president of the MSBA, listed Costello’s community service but stated that his leadership roles in the State Bar were much too varied and extensive to recite. Emphasized was his love for Lakefield and his national recognition in agricultural law and estate tax matters.