Beginning a Minnesota Probate

Posted on September 7, 2023 by jlawyer

Beginning a Minnesota probate is not that hard. The probate process in Minnesota, like in many other states, is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to their heirs or beneficiaries and their debts and taxes are paid.

Here is a general overview of how the probate process works in Minnesota:

Filing a Petition: The probate process typically begins with the filing of a petition in the county where the deceased person (decedent) resided at the time of their death. The person filing the petition is usually the executor named in the decedent’s will or an interested party if there is no will. If there is no will, the court will appoint an administrator.
Notice to Interested Parties: After the petition is filed, the court will issue a notice to interested parties, including heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors. This notice informs them of the probate proceedings and their right to contest the will or make claims against the estate.
Inventory and Appraisal: The executor or administrator is responsible for preparing an inventory and appraisal of the decedent’s assets. This includes valuing all the assets in the estate, such as real estate, bank accounts, personal property, and investments.
Payment of Debts and Taxes: The estate is responsible for paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and taxes. This may include funeral expenses, outstanding bills, and estate taxes. The executor or administrator must ensure that all valid claims are paid from the estate’s assets.
Distribution of Assets: After debts and taxes are paid, the remaining assets are distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries according to the terms of the will or Minnesota’s intestate succession laws if there is no will.
Final Accounting: The executor or administrator must prepare a final accounting of all financial transactions related to the estate and submit it to the court for approval.
Closing the Estate: Once the court approves the final accounting and is satisfied that all matters have been properly handled, it will issue an order to close the estate. At this point, the executor or administrator can distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries and heirs.
Discharge of Executor or Administrator: After the estate is closed, the executor or administrator is formally discharged from their duties, and their role in the probate process ends.

It’s important to note that starting the probate process in Minnesota can vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate, as well as any disputes or challenges that may arise during the process.

Additionally, Minnesota, like many states, has its own specific probate laws and procedures, so it’s advisable to consult with an attorney experienced in Minnesota probate matters to navigate the process smoothly. Legal advice can be particularly valuable when dealing with complex estates or potential disputes among beneficiaries.

Beginning a Minnesota Probate Lawyers

Please contact Joseph M. Flanders at Flanders Law Firm LLC for your free initial consultation about beginning a Minnesota probate. Every estate is different and Mr. Flanders can expertly guide your through the process. Call today for your free initial consultation at: 612-424-0398.

Choosing A Guardian for Your Child | Minnesota Law

Posted on January 13, 2022 by jlawyer

Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

When you think of estate planning, the first thing that comes to your mind might be leaving assets to your children.

Minnesota Guardianship law does a bit more in that you can find someone who can take care of your children when you’re unavailable. Similar to how you can give durable power of attorney to another party, guardianships can be put in place to help you out while you’re still alive.

As a kind of introduction to guardianships for your family, you should think of them as wills for your kids.

Though, it means involving real people not just paper documents. That’s to say that if you don’t have a proper one set into place, a judge will probably have to figure out what’s to be done about the situation. Just as people might be asking where your assets will go, they’ll probably also be asking where your kids will go. Granting guardianship over your kids answers the latter question.

Do Not Let a Judge Choose for You

A judge might have to do it otherwise. That’s the short answer to why picking out a guardian is important for your kids. Say that you and the spouse passed away, leaving a judge to contemplate what’s to be done about your offspring’s welfare. Your choice for a guardian may not even come to the judge’s mind. In almost every estate planning matter, unless you do things the legal way, people might not be able to carry out your plans whatsoever.

If you’re willing to say that something should be done, act on it ahead of time. Your family and friends may not be perfect, but think about who can take care of the children. That’s a huge part. Who has the finances to take care of them, who will raise them to be qualitative individuals, and who will teach them the values that you want them to have are all questions you should contemplate. You may even want to sit down and plan things out.

Backup to a Guardian for Your Child

The person you name as your children’s guardian probably wants your input if they plan on raising your kids just as you intend. That kind of conversation isn’t one that you can summarize in a one-page document and leave them to figure out the rest. Values, expectations, parenting techniques, and college hopes could all be on the table. You’re really finding your children’s next parent here.

They might not become your life partner or adopt the kids, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t make any impact on their lives. Whoever you designate to be their guardian might end up making serious medical decisions for your kids. As far as you’re concerned, treat this like you would treat an adoption, save that you’re not the one adopting. You’re not losing your kids. You’re not forfeiting your rights as a parent. You’re setting up backup for when you can no longer be there for them.

Military Families

Military families face hardships just like any other families. Though, sometimes those hardships come in the form of a parent being stationed away while their child needs them the most. Having a primary and alternative guardian live near your family can make things safer, ensuring that someone can be there in case medical emergencies happen on either side. Life isn’t always ice cream and cake. And the fact is that you can’t always be there to be their hero.

You might want them help provide education for your children. You might want them to fill in the parental role when you’re on tour. Whatever you want your children’s guardian to be has got to be voiced while you still can. It’s time to deal with the reality that you may fall outside of or during combat. Leaving them a fortune is one thing, but leaving them a flesh and blood human being is a whole new level.

Single Parent Household

Being a single mom or dad takes a lot of work. Maybe you just became a single parent due to the loss of your partner. The situation matters little compared to how you handle it. What matters is having someone for them. The sad thing is that you might be the only one to be there for them. Selecting a guardian might be the best option for you and your kids. Unlike dating, there doesn’t need to be any roses or movie nights.

If you’ve been doing this for a while, you probably know how much time that you need to dedicate to your family and good on you for it. However, it’s possible you could become incapacitated, be called away for duty, have to visit a sick relative in another state, or want to see your favorite band in another country. Death is not the only time in which you may want a guardian to be there for your kids. Give them a more stable life by helping bring someone new into their reality.

Minnesota Guardianship Lawyers

Finding a guardian might not be your problem. Perhaps your kids’ uncles and aunts are leaping at the chance. Working out the legal details and jargon is another thing. That’s why you may want a guardianship lawyer from Flanders Law Firm LLC. You can grab a free quote at 612-424-0398 before you begin and go from there.

Don’t worry about getting your kids involved unless you feel they might want to have say in the mater. This isn’t putting them up for adoption. This is helping ensure that they can have a better tomorrow. If you really feel pressured to give your children a home with two parents, guarantee that at least one person will be there when you can’t be.

Protecting Your Money from Nursing Home Costs

Posted on September 1, 2020 by jlawyer

Protecting Your Money from Nursing Home Costs

No, this article isn’t asking if you’re ready to live in a nursing or want to. Rather, the focus is that by using trust law and some other techniques, you can find some ways to safeguard what you’ve obtained. Being in a nursing home may still cost you. That said, here are a handful of precautionary steps that you and your relations should consider taking.

Don’t be deceived. Living in a nursing home doesn’t automatically equal the death of your finances. Perusing Medicaid for your coverage is a hypothetical possibility.

Estate planning is, for the most part, about playing your assets right and knowing how to implement trusts and wills to your advantage. There’s far more to this process than simply throwing all your assets inside a will and hoping everyone inherits something worthwhile.

Budget for Tomorrow | Minnesota Estate Planning

Money is the main factor here. Though you may qualify for Medicaid to cover the cost of living at a nursing home, it’s still wise to properly budget. It would also be wise to understand if and for how long Medicaid will cover you.

If you do anything, do your research on what living at a nursing home all involves for you under and without Medicaid. Protect your assets by finding out what this is going to cost.

Though they may not show it, your loved ones may be highly concerned about your wellbeing. Kids, spouses, and close family members might all be worried about what’s going to happen next. Living your fullest life may mean that you live out the rest of your days inside of a nursing home.

While that may not sound ideal, it would be best for you and your family to come to terms with reality. Be honest and open about what options are available. By budgeting, everyone can get a better idea of what possibilities remain.

The Generosity Route | MN Wills and Trusts

Most grandparents probably know the joys that arise from spoiling their grandkids. And that same feeling may come from being generous towards others. So, if you’re looking for a way to make sure that your assets are passed down, look into all of the ways that you can gift the assets that you want someone to have.

Gift is the key word. Once you’re sure that you won’t need something, whether now or when you’re in a nursing home, gifting may be the best route to take.

There are lots of physical objects that can be gifted without much concern. The household items that are strewn across your home are just one such example. Your house itself might be able to be gifted to someone else.

You must be aware of tax ramifications, however, and how that might affect Medicaid for you, and should pay off your debts before you gift a single penny. Paying off a loved one’s debt during probate is no fun.

Castle Trust

Trusts are more than for providing funds for your pets. A castle trust can be used to add extra protection to your present assets, keeping them safe for younger generations. As a word of caution, castle trusts fall into the irrevocable trust category, making it so that any assets wrapped in these trusts are basically untouchable to you. There’s very little chance that you can change your mind once they’re sealed inside any irrevocable trust.

Creditors and lawsuits hate castle trusts in particular, as the assets inside these trusts can’t be used to satisfy their demands. Collecting on these trusts whether because of a car accident or because funds should be taken from you is not an option. This level of security extends to your children who inherit the trust. A castle trust could also be set up to help supplement your income and enable you to receive Medicaid if properly set up.

Five Year Look Back Period

If you plan on making any serious financial decisions and getting Medicaid, five years is the time frame you need to have in mind. Of course, give yourself extra time to budget. Those who control Medicaid are well aware that you can deplete yourself of assets by simply giving things away. That said, they’re probably going to research what kind of gifts you gave. Big gifts are the ones they’re looking for. Houses, like the ones mentioned previously, are one such example.

You must be wise when you pass on such assets. Fully realize the ramification of any gifts you give. Otherwise, you may incur a penalty from Medicaid. Sure, you may want your offspring to get the home, and they may have family that can better utilize it. Nevertheless, purpose isn’t the question here. Money is the major concern. Making yourself poorer than you were may result in bad news for you. Don’t throw away large assets for your own sake unless you’re sure nothing negative will come of it.

Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyers

Working on your estate planning by yourself is rarely recommended. Getting more people involved is a wise choice. Those who will be there to walk you through your days in the nursing home should be aware of what you’re doing. A trust lawyer should be amongst the first that you contact, provided that you want that extra level of assurance. What’s to be done about your assets once you’re gone is a huge question for your family to answer. Seeking out legal advice may allow you to better calm their fears.

For clarity and assistance with this process, you should consult the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC at 612-424-0398.

What is a Power of Attorney? | Minnesota Law

Posted on May 4, 2020 by jlawyer

What is a Power of Attorney?

Power of attorney doesn’t necessarily mean unlimited power. What it means to grant POA can mean a lot of different things depending on what you need and what you want. So, this article is going to try to help demystify some myths.

Power of attorney law isn’t a complex topic when you start to break it down. Actually, a lot of it centers around how much power you can/want to give someone.

If anything, this article is meant to help you understand what kind of POA that you can grant rather than crush your hopes. If you’re looking to grant someone power over both medical and asset-related decisions, that’s totally fine.

If you don’t want to give the person that you have in mind much power, that’s fine as well. Continue to read to get a clearer picture of what POA really involves.

You Can Sign Whenever

The above statement is partly true. When you sign is up to you. Though, the times that you’ll be able to sign are relative to your abilities. Physical strength may not impact you whatsoever while you may find that not everything is legal if you sign while mentally incapacitated. This is true for certain parts of estate planning as mental incapacitation can be grounds for revoking some legal docs that you’ve signed.

It’s a sad and potentially unfair truth, but it’s a truth, nonetheless. What you signed may even be revoked out of good intentions for you. Not everyone can see into your mind and they might not trust your more recent actions, believing that you’re not acting like you. A change of heart is one thing. Trusting a complete stranger with durable power of attorney is another. For your sake, do things while your mental faculties are in the best of shape.

Surpasses Death

You can’t give someone power of attorney that will outlast you. There’s durable POA that will be in affect even while your incapacitated.

That’s for sure. Nevertheless, someone only maintains power of attorney while you’re still here. You’re the metaphorical battery to their legal powers in this case. So, once their battery runs out of juice, there’s no more power of attorney they can use.

For your best interests, focus on finding a trusted person to care for you and your estate while you’re still here. What they do after you’re gone doesn’t necessarily affect whether or not they should have POA. The central factor is taking care of you and your belongings. Deciding on serious issues that affect your livelihood is the heart of their role.

End of Independence

Independent or not, giving another somebody POA is a far cry from forfeiting your independence. Sure, durable power of attorney lets another party make key decisions while you’re incapacitated, but granting power of attorney doesn’t mean that you need to sign away your life.

You get to have say in what powers someone does and doesn’t have and how long their powers will last. Limiting what they can do is an option for you from the start.

Think of this as picking a servant rather than as handing someone the keys to your life. Just be mindful of every decision that you make pertaining to their powers. If the discussion of what kind of limits you want in place hasn’t come up, bring it up while you still can.

As far as your concerned, everyone might assume that you’re looking to grant as much power as you can regardless of how true that rings. If you can, be upfront and direct on what limitations you want imposed.

Automatically Financial and Medical

This is a partial extension of the last paragraph. With that said, recognize that granting someone POA doesn’t mean that they’ll automatically obtain power over estate and medical decisions.

The type of POA that they’re about to receive may only cover one of those two. You should double check before you sign anything. Anyone can be granted power over both just as someone can be both a conservator and a guardian simultaneously.

However, you need to have final say in the matter. If you’re unsure if you’re granting enough power, discuss this early on or perhaps when you’re negotiating limitations. You can approach this issue two different ways. Either you can be cautious about their abilities and limit what can be done or you can be cautious about them not having enough power and limit the limitations.

Debunking More Myths

If you have more questions or want more POA myths debunked, call 612-424-0398. With the help of the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC, they can help you get a better understanding of power of attorney law.

They’re there to not only help you work out the details of what kind of power of attorney that you want to grant, but they’re also there to make sure that everything makes sense. Perhaps you want to figure out what kind of limitations you can impose or you’re not sure whether or not POA is an option for you. It never hurts to ask.

Odd but Good Estate Planning Ideas

Posted on March 24, 2020 by jlawyer

Odd but Good Estate Planning Ideas

As much as human relationships can be full of emotion so can your Minnesota estate planning. You don’t have to write your will or form your trusts to merely dispense your assets robotically. By using estate planning law to its fullest, you can set things up to be a bit out of the ordinary. That’s not to say that abnormal is bad. On the other hand, you may find that you can do a lot more good through estate planning than you first anticipated.

As you continue to read, let the following be starting points to your imagination. You don’t need to use any of the following examples. Rather, you may find them helpful for drawing inspiration while you work with a lawyer. Use these examples to liven up your family members once you’re no longer with them.

Do Something Romantic

Valentine’s Day or not, there’s still the chance that you can still do something romantic once you’re gone. It doesn’t have to be a romantic getaway. Actually, it can be just about anything reasonable as long as you have the means and nobody gets hurt. Of course, you probably want to think of what your partner will want when you’re gone.

As a hypothetical example, you might want your wife to receive a box of chocolates everyday after you pass. You probably will need to budget for that ahead of time using your assets and potentially arrange things with a chocolate delivery service. Other ideas might be leaving money for a pet they always wanted or for flowers to be sent to their workplace during lunch time.

Healthy Rivalry

If your family loves playing games, perhaps you want to leave some of your assets as a kind of competition prize. That’s not to say that you want to create something that will divide your loved ones, but maybe consider something humorous or memorable. The goal with your estate planning should be to do the most good and bless your family. Think about Wills and/or Trusts.

Say that you held a pie eating contest at your yearly family gathering. So, as a way of saying goodbye, you set aside the assets for the pie and a small prize like an old sweater of yours. For now, think about ways that you can help make the setup easier on your family. Consider consulting your favorite local bakery or set aside a few hard copies of your favorite dessert. Give them something that their sweet tooth will adore.

Nightly Dinner Parties

Trust funds can be used to pay for multiple different things. Nightly dinner parties are one such example. No, you don’t have to be specific as to what’s being served at the party, but you can still dedicate the funds to having a great time. You don’t need to budget for nightly parties if you’re thinking about your spouse only having friends over every blue moon.

Perhaps the whole question you need to figure out is where the food is going to come from. A catering company might be an option. Otherwise, perhaps leave some budgeted assets for your partner to pick out some groceries everyone will love. Consider also making some small recommendations to liven things up a bit. Of course, always consider having backup in case your partner wants some extra assistance.

Spreading Ashes

For those looking to be cremated, consider having your ashes spread somewhere memorable. Where you want them spread is up to you. Your family will want you to be buried where you’ll be happiest. It could be in your hometown or near where you met your partner. You should discuss this with your family ahead of time, ensuring that all the little details are worked out.

Moreover, you should also consider consulting the proper authorities. Say that you want your ashes spread on a lake near where you’ve camped a lot. It might be a nice way of saying goodbye and touching to those you’ve camped with. Though, for example, there might be concerns of causing pollution in the lake. Research this beforehand and work out every detail. The last thing you want your family to have is a hefty fine for carrying out your last wishes.

Getting Things Together | MN Estate Planning Lawyers

So, now that you have a few good ideas brewing in your mind, it might be time to make your dreams a reality.

By calling 612-424-0398, you can grab a free quote and get everything started. With the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC by your side, you can tackle most concerns surrounding estate planning law.

Perhaps you’re unsure about everything that you can do. Maybe you want to make sure that your assets are allocated properly. Bring all your dreams and concerns without having to fret. Take as much time as you need in order to make sure that your estate is fully planned out.

Making Probate Easy | MN Estate Law

Posted on March 11, 2020 by jlawyer

Making Probate Easy for Your Family

Probate and party both start with the same letter. Sadly, the two words aren’t always related to one another.

Most of us would like to think of the probate process as being a relatively painless operation. Nonetheless, not everyone has witnessed, dealt with, or otherwise encountered the Minnesota probate process first hand. With that in mind, listed below are four tips on how to make going through probate easier.

Note that these tips aren’t meant to replace the legal advise of a probate lawyer. Whenever you’re dealing with a family law matter that has the gravity of probate, you should have at least have a little bit of legal assistance.

Keep in mind, as you read the following, that most of this is written to individuals who are preparing their estate. If you’re looking to assist someone who’s going through estate planning, these are some great tips that you can give to them.

No Debt or No Assets

That’s a potential exaggeration. Being stripped of assets won’t happen in every probate case, but the debt must be accounted for. For every debt that exists, you need to account for the assets that it will take to pay for them. Besides, you may not be the one who gets to determine the dollar value of each asset. And that’s not even taking inflation into account.

Sell, sell, and sell. That might be the only thing you can do. As long as that debt remains, at least some of your assets will be gobbled up. Student loans die with you. That’s a blessing. It’s the other debts that you cannot completely ignore. That’s not to say that you should pay off everything except your student loans and default on them. Defaulting on your loans is a terrible idea to say the least.

Debt is not your friend, but paying off the debt is your best friend.

No Family Secrets

What you do in your personal life is your business. Though, when it comes to the assets, debts, and everything else you’re leaving your family, you may as well make it their business. Once they’re taking care of your assets because you’re not there, your secrets either die off with you or someone will probably find out. As much as you might want to think of the probate process as a transference of property, it’s also a process that requires the authorities to account for your remaining possessions. Those in change may not care where the possessions go. They’re probably just doing their job.

The person who becomes the executor of your will takes on the responsibility of passing on your assets. Sure, some assets like your house will go directly to whoever co-signed with you. The executioner might not have to handle most if not any of that kind of property. It’s the tiny stuff that you left outside of your will that they really have to worry about. Whatever you forgot to deal with becomes their yoke.

Have a Backup Executioner

Americans have always been fond of freedom. Saying no to becoming the executioner of a will is one such freedom. It’s a volunteer position. The government will probably do it for them anyway unless someone else fills that role. Beg and plead as you may like, but no is no. And stay away from bribing your executioner as that may result in a family spat, further complicating the matter.

Having a backup executioner is a good idea even if the original person you had in mind says yes. A dead executioner is an executioner without power. Your family may not have someone to fill their role if things go south. Do that part for them. It’s your executioner after all.

Clear Intent

You’ve probably heard that being clear in your estate planning is a must. That’s true. However, a bullet point list may not suffice for every asset and piece of land that you own. Write out how you think each part of your property will get from point A to point B. If you don’t know all the details about what’s between those two points, assuming there are only two points, researching those details is a high priority.

Stuff that can be mailed, as long as you have the right addresses, shouldn’t prove bothersome. It’s the big stuff — think houses — that might rain on your parade. Saying that you want to send X to Y is a great start. It’s just what all that really means is the potentially difficult part.

Finalizing Things | Minnesota Probate Attorney

Regardless of whatever part of estate planning you’re in, someone should be able to guide you through the path. Getting everything worked out immediately isn’t necessary. You can do so at your own pace.

With the help of the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC, a Minnesota probate law firm, probate can be an easier process. Located centrally in the Twin Cities in Eagan, Minnesota.

There’s a probate lawyer who can tell you how to make the process even easier. They can be there for both you and your loved ones. If you’re interested, reach someone at 612-424-0398. And you don’t have to have all your estate planned out just yet. Someone can walk you through that whole process as well.

Using Joint Ownership to Avoid Probate

Posted on October 22, 2019 by jlawyer

Using Joint Ownership to Avoid Probate

Preventative maintenance isn’t just for your home and vehicles. It’s also for when you’re handling your assets.

Probate doesn’t need to happen. You can have a will and several trusts in place, but joint ownership is another method that you can also be implemented. There are multiple different kinds of joint ownership (some of which are mentioned below). Certain kinds are designed to ensure that probate doesn’t happen.

Joint ownership is a great method in case you’re looking to pass on an asset or two while maintaining your ownership. You may have already share joint ownership of a house or car because you signed with your spouse. However, there might be other assets that you have which might still be open to going through probate. So, here are a few things to consider in case you’re looking to visit a probate lawyer for help.

Pick the Right One

One kind of joint ownership may not fit all. That’s probably one of the larger factors you need to consider first. In general, there are about three kinds of joint ownership that you need to worry about. As for the other kinds of joint ownership, they might not help you avoid probate, resulting in potentially wasted effort. As a general rule, just double check with a probate lawyer before you finalize on any kind of joint ownership.

Joint tenancy in Minnesota with right of survivorship, community property with right of survivorship, and tenancy by the entirety are three examples or joint ownership that should normally work. The key word you want to look for is survivorship. Ownership methods with survivorship in the name should normally prevent that asset from going to probate. However, not all states utilize the same regulations for certain forms of joint ownership, making some kinds exclusive to married couples and/or registered domestic partners.

Don’t Forget the Debt

Just because you can avoid probate doesn’t suggest that you can forget about debts. You may have heard this a thousand times before, but one of the only kinds of debt that normally disappears upon death is student debt. Any other debt you’re probably going to have to deal with. Someone must be paid and someone must be the metaphorical piggy bank from which that money comes. On a similar note, probate is not avoided once/if both owners pass. So, if both owners pass and there’s still debt to pay, the assets might disappear.

Remember that when you share joint ownership with someone, you may find yourself paying off their debt. This is a warning. Debts are normally settled during probate for most items. Items held in joint ownership may avoid probate, but the debt collector may come knocking eventually. Joint tenancy can help transfer the title of the property, but that also means that the responsibility for paying off that property is sometimes carried over as well.

Possessions to Consider

To ensure that you hold joint ownership and/or to give you ideas of what can be held under joint ownership, here are two general lists. The two items on the first list, vehicles and real estate, shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. It makes sense to have joint ownership for items that you and your significant other utilize equally, making them necessary components regardless of who outlives the other.

The four items on the second example list all involve money. Stocks, bonds, bank accounts, and brokerage accounts can normally be owned jointly. As for checking any of the above kinds of property, whether a part of the first or second list, that can vary from item to item. For the first list, check deeds, registration slips, and certificates of ownership. For the second list, check passbooks, registration cards, stock certificates, bonds, and account statements. If you’re having trouble checking, consider contacting a probate lawyer for direct assistance.

More the Merrier

Two is company, but three or more might be the right number for joint ownership. As a warning, anyone who you make an owner might obtain the same powers as you have. Be careful to trust before you entrust. The obvious advantage is giving more individuals access to and power over various assets. Maybe you want your son/daughter and their spouse to have ownership over your home as their family serves as your live-in caretakers, allowing them to retain the property once you pass.

Moreover, having multiple owners can help prevent probate should one or more person suddenly depart from this world. Going back to the previous example, say that your son/daughter-in-law unexpectedly dies in a car accident. Your son/daughter still has you to hold the property further preventing probate from becoming problematic. They can remarry and with your blessing, add their new spouse onto the property to help maintain it. Probate can strike when your property isn’t properly passed on.

Probate Prevention

To prevent probate as much as possible, a probate lawyer is probably your best assistant. As a tip, go to the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC. You can call them at 612-424-0398 and set up a meeting.

You may or may not have all your assets lined up properly, but it never hurts to double check if everything is set in legal stone. They can also help you with other ways of preventing probate like creating a will and/or creating trusts. When you visit, you may even want to consider bringing your present will and/or any trusts that you own. They can help you figure out preventative ways to reduce the chances of dealing with probate.

Sources:

https://www.target.com/p/8-ways-to-avoid-probate-12-edition-by-mary-randolph-paperback/-/A-53506195