We care, and it shows. You’re not just a number to us. We listen, and we ask questions. We strive to improve our client’s lives every day.
Are you looking for help navigating the probate process? Have you been appointed as the personal representative of an estate but don’t know where to begin?
At Safe Harbor Estate Law, we understand the complexities of probate and can provide the knowledge and guidance you need to ensure your loved one’s wishes are fulfilled and the complicated laws are followed. We understand that this process can be difficult and emotional. That is why we take the time to listen to your needs and provide personalized advice and solutions.
Contact a Minnesota probate lawyer today to learn more about how we can help you with your probate and estate planning needs.
Probate is the legal process of distributing the assets of a deceased person to the beneficiaries named in their will (or, if there is no will, according to law). During probate, the court will appoint a personal representative or executor to manage the deceased’s estate.
The personal representative will collect, gather, and distribute the deceased person’s assets and pay any debts or taxes they owe. Probate can be lengthy, expensive, and take months or even years to complete. During this time, the estate’s assets are often frozen, meaning the beneficiaries cannot access them until the probate process is finished.
Additionally, the process can be complex and involve legal, court, and executor fees, which can add up quickly. Normally, it is best to avoid probate at all costs, if possible, to save time and money and to keep the estate private.
The Minnesota probate process begins with filing a petition and paying court fees to open and administer the estate.
Next, notice must be given to the heirs, and publication is made for two weeks in a legal newspaper. Medicaid clearance is obtained from the state if real estate is involved. Proof of all these steps is filed with the court.
If the court approves the petition, the appointed Personal Representative or Executor is responsible for gathering the assets, paying creditors and taxes, and distributing property to the heirs.
Here’s a generalized overview of the process:
The process is far more complicated than it looks on paper, which is why most Minnesotans turn to experienced probate lawyers for help.
Having an experienced Minnesota probate lawyer is essential for the successful administration of an estate. Probate is a complex and time-consuming process and requires an experienced lawyer who understands the laws and regulations of Minnesota.
An experienced probate lawyer can:
Hiring an experienced Minnesota probate lawyer can save you time, money, and stress throughout the probate process.
If you’re in Minnesota and need help navigating the probate process, our experienced probate lawyers can help.
We understand that probate can be a complicated and emotionally-taxing process, and we are here to help in any way we can.
Our lawyers have years of experience in probate law and can help you protect your rights and interests. Don’t let the probate process overwhelm you—call us today for the help you need.
The court assigns a personal representative, also known as an executor, to administer the probate process. The personal representative has the legal authority to manage the estate, including paying debts and distributing assets, while also taking on personal responsibility for the distribution to make sure it is done according to Minnesota law.
The probate process can take anywhere from a few months to 18 months. Typically, the longest process is filing the income taxes. However, the length of the process can vary depending on the complexity of the estate and other factors.
No, Minnesota does not have an inheritance tax. However, the estate may be subject to federal and state estate taxes. Minnesota has an estate tax on estates over $3 million in value.
You are not required to hire a lawyer to handle the probate process. However, it is advisable due to the complexities and the personal liability you have as a fiduciary, to follow the probate laws.
Every person at Safe Harbor Estate and Elder Law is helpful and professional, while being friendly and putting you at ease. They know that this is not an every day event for people, and that clients may be uncomfortable. Everyone there does everything they can to make the process easy and smooth sailing. Margaret and her team genuinely want to protect
Safe Harbor Estate Law first worked with me in 2017 to complete my Living Will and Estate Plan. They were very thorough and everything went smoothly. What really impressed me about them was how they worked to iron out the issues when I was refinancing with Wells Fargo. Safe Harbor’s lawyers interceded on my behalf to clarify the issues with the title
Absolutely experts at what they do. Really solid organization their process is well thought out and well practiced. I had very similar work done several years ago by another firm and Safe Harbor Estate Law fixed their work and provided a much better result in both less time and money. Everybody at this firm completes their role very efficiently and
We were very pleased with the service from Safe Harbor. After years of procrastinating, we finally decided we needed to move forward and get our estate planning completed, which involved setting up a living trust. We were surprised at how easy it turned out to be. Safe Harbor tailored our will and trust documents to some unique need we had and all is now
I had put off getting a will done for 6 years, even after being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma 4 years ago. Then I watched Safe Harbor’s webinar just to learn some will/estate planning information. That webinar answered so many questions for me and made me realize the big mistake I was making by not finalizing a will. So I scheduled a consultation immediately
Safe Harbor Estate Law was recommended by a lawyer friend. From the very beginning I was impressed with the respect and compassion with which we were treated. My goal was to come away with a plan that would protect our assets. I now have that plan which is very thorough, providing me with peace of mind. Working with the team at Safe Harbor Estate Law was a positive experience. All of the attorney I worked with were very professional. Michael Teeter, especially, is knowledgeable, explaining all the complexities. He was also patient and responsive in answering my follow-up questions, often more than once.
The process of creating our Trust
was incredibly smooth. From the initial zoom informational meeting to the meeting with the well versed attorney and the final signing, we felt confident and informed.
I hired Safe Harbor Estate Law to do my estate plan including a living trust, power of attorney, and health care directive. They made the process easy by explaining everything clearly, being organized, and answering my questions.
They listened to our wants and needs and drafted the documents we needed to feel secure in having the best estate plan possible for us and our family.
See what other Safe Harbor Estate Law clients are saying about their experience.
We care, and it shows. You’re not just a number to us. We listen, and we ask questions. We strive to improve our client’s lives every day.
Our firm goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable throughout the process so you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
We help you leave a legacy that is smoother, less expensive, and less hassle for your loved ones with a plan that is uniquely tailored to your goals.
Our team is motivated to help you experience smooth sailing from start to finish so everything is done thoroughly and properly.
I attended a free seminar to learn about getting a Will. I learned so much more than I expected! I then hired Safe Harbor Estate Law to create a Will, POA and Trust. The process was very simple!
I highly recommend everyone to contact Safe Harbor to help you too!
