Probate in Minnesota | MN Legal Resources | FastCounsel

What steps are needed in Minnesota to seek guardianship or a conservatorship for an incapacitated relative?

Detailed Answer Seeking guardianship or conservatorship under Minnesota law involves a clear, step-by-step court process. Guardianship covers personal decisions—health care, housing, and daily needs. Conservatorship handles financial affairs. Both procedures follow the Minnesota Uniform Probate Code (Chapters 524.5 and 524.6). Determine Incapacity: Confirm the individual meets the legal definition of incapacity under Minn. Stat. § […]

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Which Documents and Certificates Should Be Collected to Begin Estate Administration in Minnesota?

Detailed Answer Entering probate in Minnesota begins with collecting key documents. Start with the decedent’s certified death certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health. Minnesota courts require a certified copy to open an estate (Minn. Stat. §524.3-501). Locate the original will and any codicils. If the will is lodged with a safe-deposit box or held […]

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How to Manage Estate Expenses and Ongoing Bills During Probate in Minnesota

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation. Detailed Answer During the Minnesota probate process, the personal representative (formerly called executor) must safeguard assets, pay valid debts, and manage ongoing bills. Minnesota’s Revised Uniform Probate Code (RUPC) offers clear guidance […]

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What options exist for selling or transferring real property when an heir is a minor child and cannot consent? – MN

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation. Detailed Answer When a minor child is an heir to real property in Minnesota, the child cannot legally consent to a sale or transfer. Minnesota law provides several pathways to protect the […]

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How to Enforce Distribution of Life Insurance Proceeds in Probate in Minnesota When No Beneficiary Was Designated

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer When a life insurance policy lacks a designated beneficiary, the insurer pays the death benefit into the decedent’s estate. You then enforce distribution through Minnesota probate. 1. Statutory Framework Minnesota […]

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How Can a Beneficiary Compel an Estate Administrator to Pay an Inheritance Share in Minnesota?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Minnesota law, a beneficiary can enforce distribution of their inheritance if the estate administrator (personal representative) delays or refuses payment. The process often involves the following steps: 1. Review the Administrator’s Fiduciary Duties The personal representative owes fiduciary duties […]

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How Does Intestate Succession Work When No Will Exists and Decedent Died With No Spouse and Two Children in Minnesota?

Detailed Answer Under Minnesota law, when someone dies without a valid will and has no surviving spouse but two children, the estate passes equally to those children. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 524.2 sets intestate succession rules. Specifically, Minn. Stat. §524.2-103(a) directs that if no spouse survives, the decedent’s full intestate estate goes to the issue. The […]

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How Does Intestate Succession Work in Minnesota When a Person Dies with No Spouse and Three Children?

Minnesota Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Minnesota law, when a person dies without a valid will (intestate), the estate passes according to the Uniform Probate Code as adopted in Minnesota. Because the decedent left no surviving spouse, the entire estate goes to the […]

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How Can the Slayer Statute Affect an Heir's Right to Inherit in Minnesota?

Detailed Answer Minnesota’s slayer statute bars any person who feloniously and intentionally kills a decedent from inheriting under that person’s will or through intestacy. Under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-803, a court treats the slayer as if they predeceased the victim. This rule applies whether the killer is convicted of murder or manslaughter. Key points include: […]

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How Does Title Transfer for an Inherited Home When There Is No Will and Multiple Heirs in MN?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Detailed Answer 1. Intestate Succession in Minnesota When a person dies without a will, Minnesota’s intestate succession rules determine who inherits real property. Under Minnesota Statutes section 524.2 (Minn. Stat. § 524.2), the decedent’s closest relatives share the estate. Spouses, children, […]

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