Many people feel that having a will is enough to help their family avoid probate after their death, but that isn’t necessarily the truth. A will doesn’t necessarily avoid probate, though it may make probate faster and easier. If you want to avoid probate, you need to...
Will
The problem with Aretha Franklin’s handwritten wills
When people do not create a plan for their assets, surviving family members must address estate settlement issues. Interested parties go through a legal process known as probate to resolve problems, such as handling the will, paying the deceased's debts and appraising...
What evidence can help you prove undue influence on a last will?
Family members are often intimately familiar with the last wishes of their loved ones. You may have talked about their legacy or even been present when they met with an estate and probate attorney. Your loved one may have even had you select certain property to...
The difficulties of challenging a will
When your loved one dies, you may have expectations as to what you will inherit from him or her. But what if the deceased’s Last Will and Testament fails to make the inheritance provisions for you that you expected? Can you challenge the will? Challenging a will can...
Estate Planning For Minnesota Vacation Homes
What's Your Plan For The Vacation Home? Whether it is a palatial estate where Rockefellers and Vanderbilts would feel at home or a rustic cabin in the woods complete with an outhouse, a family vacation home often carries sentimental value that doesn't show up on...
When Couples Separate But Do Not Divorce
Unique Circumstances For Separated Couples Every year, millions of married couples decide to go their separate ways. While their reasons may vary, some couples choose to live apart but do not go through the divorce process. Regardless of the reason, couples who...
What Should I Do After Someone Dies? Part 1
My Loved One Just Passed Away, What Should I Do? When a Loved One dies, the shock and anxiety can paralyze a family. Often things which should be done right away are ignored while the family is coping with its grief. However, preventive steps taken now can avoid...
My Stepfather Is Stealing My Inheritance!
A Tale Of A Minnesota Stepfamily Here is a tale about a Minnesota stepfamily, which can happen all too often in reality. After Dad passed away, Mom lived by herself for a while and eventually met someone new. Six years ago, she remarried; this time to a man who was...
Joint Account To Pay For Moms Care
Daughter Is Put On Elderly Mom's Bank Account Putting a sibling's name on Mom's bank account can be a very bad idea. The solution seemed simple, as Mom was in poor physical and mental health. Daughter Amy was put on as a joint owner on Mom's $300,000 account. Amy's...
What Happens When The Personal Representative Dies?
The Importance Of The Personal Representative The Personal Representative (also known as the Executor) is responsible for many of the activities in the Minnesota probate process, including collecting the assets, organizing the estate, distributing assets, and...