I wrote the book on Minnesota probate.
Understandably, most people postpone end-of-life planning because they don’t want to think about dying. However, you can only keep this essential aspect of estate planning out of your mind for so long; eventually, you’ll have to think about how you want to live during...
The surviving family members of someone who recently died usually know what to expect from their estate plan. Adults who have taken the time to draft the state planning paperwork often disclose their intentions to their close family members. Children, spouses and...
Ancillary probate administration is a legal process that comes into play when an individual who owns real estate or assets in multiple jurisdictions passes away. In essence, it's a supplementary legal procedure that runs parallel to the primary probate process. The...
As a business owner, safeguarding your interests and those of your business is paramount. You don't need to wait until the inevitable happens before you put your affairs in order. If you own a business, one of the most pertinent questions you want answers to is how...
Estate planning is an important part of life. However, many people of all ages put it off – sometimes indefinitely. Some of the most common reasons people put off estate planning are described here. Misconceptions about estate planning Some people don’t think about...
Every state has its own rules when it comes to the obligations placed on the personal representative of an estate. Here in Minnesota, a bond isn’t necessarily required of a personal representative. However, you should think long and hard about the issue before you...
The validity of a will is a topic of paramount importance when it comes to estate administration and inheritance. Families, at times, find themselves in situations where they feel compelled to challenge the legitimacy of a will. While probate litigation can make the...
When you decide to create a will, you do so for one main reason: to articulate your wishes with respect to how you want to have your estate distributed when you die. And when you get it right, a will can help you achieve that goal and more. Without one, on the other...
Some people make it a practice to routinely review their estate planning paperwork every few years. Others experience a major life event that they recognize will make their paperwork outdated and possibly invalid and update it accordingly. Regardless of the reason...
The main parties interested in probate proceedings in Minnesota are usually the beneficiaries of an estate and the person serving as the personal representative or executor of that estate. The closest friends and family members of the individual who passed may expect...