A Guiding Hand Through Tough Times

When a loved one passes away, the family not only suffers pain and grief but sometimes also anger and guilt. It is a time of confusion about what to do, how to calm the family and how to close the loved one’s estate.

Attorney Bill Peterson opened Peterson Law Office in 1983 to serve families facing challenges of probate and other estate law matters in Minnesota. He understands the situation and can explain how to proceed.

Why You Need A Probate Attorney

Probate lawyers provide invaluable peace of mind by ensuring the family handles the decedent’s estate properly and efficiently. Well-versed in state laws, Peterson can help avoid costly mistakes, manage complicated paperwork, and represent the family in court if necessary. Peterson Law Office can handle other matters like the gathering of assets, payment of bills, sale of property earmarked to sell, distribution of inheritances, reporting to the probate court and, where necessary, conducting court proceedings.

Bill and the team can also act as neutral mediators to resolve disputes among beneficiaries, which is especially helpful in times of emotional stress. Perhaps most importantly, entrusting a legal professional with the intricacies of probate enables families to focus on healing together, confident that their loved one’s legacy is honored and protected.

We Wrote The Book On Probate

After handling hundreds of probate cases over his 50-year career, Bill Peterson and the team put together our experiences and advice in a 2014 book “When A Loved One Dies In Minnesota.” The only book of its kind, it explains in everyday language what a family can expect in the probate process.

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

We Represent Out-Of-State Family Members

Minnesotans in the past often lived their entire life here. So, when a loved one died in Minnesota, the family would likely be nearby, and real estate and other assets were often here. Nowadays, it is more common for adult children to move to different states or even abroad. It’s also common for deceased parents members to be “snowbirds” with retirement property in another state. Those properties need addressing in the probate proceedings specific to the location.

When a loved one dies, the family will gather in Minnesota, but they usually do not want to return to Minnesota for each estate transaction. We often help family members who need in-state representation because they live elsewhere. Our office has represented family members in New York, California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and many other states. In most cases, the client doesn’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 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 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 decedent created the will. The best way for the executor or plaintiff 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 notify creditors and beneficiaries and inventory the assets subject to probate. After that, 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 make the process 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 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 grief, denial or other circumstances cause family members to put off probate. However, it is usually a good idea to start the process within a month or two of the loved one’s passing. Bills can mount, possessions can disappear and family emotions can go awry when things get delayed too long.

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