Probate is the process by which the courts establish the validity of a will in order to administer and distribute the assets of a deceased person. It is also the process by which the court handles asset distribution and settling the estate if the deceased person...
I wrote the book on Minnesota probate.
Probate
My parent died. Do I need a probate attorney?
As the adult child of elderly parents, you had likely been aware for some time that one or both of your parents are nearing the end of their lives. However, the impact of a parent's death is never something that one can fully be ready for or expect, regardless of...
Is It Too Late to File Probate?
Under Minnesota Law, the family of the deceased Loved One has three years after the death to file a probate proceeding in district court. There are a number of circumstances when you may have not gotten around to starting the probate. Sometimes the family may have...
How intestate succession can affect an estate
Death is not always an easy topic to discuss. Though an estate plan can be beneficial to virtually anyone, some parties do not see the full value in it. If you are considering an estate plan, it is important to understand the important aspects of it, such as the...
Typical Debts That Are Paid in Probate Proceedings
You may feel relieved to know that your adult children will probably not inherit your debts when you die unless they have co-signed on a loan or credit line. However, this is not to say that your debt will not affect them. During probate proceedings, one of the duties...
WIFE’S PROBATE RIGHTS IN SHORT-TERM MARRIAGE
"That woman was only married to Dad for six months before he passed away. Why should she get anything?" That is a question we have heard a number of times in probate cases. It is a difficult subject for many families when the parent has children from a prior marriage,...
Will my Doll Collection Have to Go Through Probate?
Understanding the probate process and what assets it involves will be part of the discussion when you meet with an attorney to prepare your will. For example, if you want to know whether your collection of vintage dolls will be subject to probate, the short answer is...
7 Reasons to Begin Probate Promptly After the Death of a Loved One
When a Loved One has died, family members often are absorbed by grief and don't want to think about dealing with the real estate, bank accounts and other assets of the deceased Loved One. A century ago that might be a perfectly good course. Today, that could be a bad...

