Probate Process in Minnesota
Below you will find a flow chart on how the Probate Process works in Minnesota. You can also download the pdf here.
Who Pays for Funeral Expenses?
Funerals can be expensive! The average cost of a funeral in 2015 was $6,500.00, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The ever-increasing cost leaves many families wondering: Who is responsible for paying funeral expenses? The answer can vary. For example, the decedent may have already paid for her own funeral by funding a prepaid [...]
Who should I name as my Personal Representative/Executor?
A Personal Representative, also known as an Executor, is the person you name in your will that carries out your wishes after you pass away. Your Personal Representative is not required to perform these duties just because you have named him, he must accept the appointment as part of the estate administration process. Discuss the [...]
Determination of Descent
I Just Discovered an Inheritance from a Relative that Died a Long Time Ago. What happens when someone passes away but her property was never distributed to her heirs? Minnesota Statutes section 525.31 authorizes an “interested person” to petition the court to determine the deceased person’s heirs and distribute her property accordingly. An “interested person” [...]
How to reduce the risk of a challenge to your will or trust
You’ve spent time and money putting together the perfect estate plan. Now make sure nobody can undo your hard work with a Contest Provision. A Contest Provision disinherits any individual that challenges or attempts to challenge your will or trust. You can define “challenge” to mean: 1) filing an objection to your estate’s administration; 2) [...]
What to Expect as You Begin the Probate Process
Your loved one has passed away. What happens next? Many people assume that if your loved one left a will, you will not have to use the probate process. However, this is not always the case. Ultimately, there are three steps to begin the probate process: (1) filing with the court; (2) giving notice to [...]
Estate Planning for Rochester MN Physicians and Administrators
Those of us who live in Rochester, Minnesota are lucky to have the world class health care provided by Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center at our doorstep. If you are a physician or administrator at Mayo Clinic or Olmsted Medical Center, you spend your days helping the people in our community. Even though you [...]
5 Lists You Should Make Prior to Filling Out an Estate Plan Intake Sheet
We’ve all been there. Each and every one of us has sat down to complete paperwork and had absolutely no idea how to answer the questions we were asked. No one told us that we should prepare ahead of time. Well, I’m here to tell you that you should prepare ahead of time…for your estate [...]
Closing on a House for the Seller
Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to sell your home. You’ve packed and cleaned and scrubbed until your house was in tip-top shape. You’ve found a buyer and settled on a purchase price…now what? Do you need to have a written agreement? What has to happen before the purchasers can move in and you can move [...]
Closing on a House for the Buyer
Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to buy a home! Maybe this is your first purchase. Maybe it’s your fifth, but it’s been years since your last closing. Either way you’ve got tons of questions. What is a closing? Do you need a lawyer? How much does closing on a house cost? Read on to find [...]