I wrote the book on Minnesota probate.

Guidance In A Confusing Situation

When a loved one passes away, the family not only suffers pain and grief, but sometimes also anger and guilt. Most of all it is a time of confusion about what to do to calm the family as well as how to wrap up the loved one’s estate.

Knowing what to do is half the battle. Discuss your case with Attorney Bill Peterson. If the estate does require the probate process, he will explain what needs to be done and what he can do to make the process as streamlined as possible.

Among other things, these tasks include the gathering of assets, payment of bills, sale of property that needs to be done, distribution of inheritances, reporting to the probate court and, where necessary, conduct of court proceedings.

We Wrote The Book On Probate

After handling hundreds of probate cases, attorney Bill Peterson along with the team put together our experiences and advice in a book for families going through the probate process. It is the only book of its kind that explains in everyday language what a family can expect in the probate process.

The book is designed to calm the fears of many families and explain the various steps that are involved in the probate process. It is available on Amazon, although we give a complimentary copy to our probate clients.

Representing Out-Of-State Family Members

Once upon a time, when a loved one died in Minnesota, the family would likely be nearby, and real estate and other assets were usually located in Minnesota.

Today family members may be spread out in other states or even abroad.

Also, the deceased family member may have had recreational or retirement property in another state. Those properties need to be addressed in the probate proceedings.

When a loved one dies, the family will gather in Minnesota but usually does not want to return to Minnesota for each transaction of the estate.

Know that we can help even if you live out-of-state and need in-state representation. My office has represented family members in New York, California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and many other states. In most cases, they don’t even have to come here to get the estate settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

The probate process can be confusing and overwhelming. We are happy to answer all of your questions and walk you through the process. In the meantime, please see some answers to common questions about probate.

My brother thinks he should have been given more in my mom’s will; how do I proceed?

Sibling rivalry upon the death of a parent isn’t uncommon. Some siblings may choose to contest a will in court, which is often time-consuming and expensive. However, a will can only be contested during the probate process when there is a valid legal question about the document or process under which the will was created. The best way to protect yourself is to contact an experienced probate attorney.

I was appointed an administrator of someone’s estate, what are my next steps?

Your first step is to file a petition to begin probate. Next, you will give notice to creditors and beneficiaries and inventory the assets that are subject to probate. After, you will pay any remaining bills or debts, distribute the remaining assets and close the estate. This process may be time-consuming and involves a lot of paperwork and steps. Hiring an experienced probate attorney can help make the process a little easier.

We are ready to move on. How long will the probate process take?

Probate can take anywhere from a couple of months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the estate. Each step involves legal documentation and validation, which can add time to the entire process. Working with an experienced probate attorney can help you move through the steps faster and save time in the end.

Contact The Firm To Get Started

Sometimes the grief or denial causes family members to procrastinate on getting the probate under way. However, it is usually a good idea to get the probate moving along within a month or two of the loved one’s passing. Bills can mount up, possessions can disappear and family emotions can get out of hand when the delay is too long.

Call us today for a free consultation toll free at 952-641-7312 or click here to contact me online.