Minneapolis Probate Flanders Law Firm LLC Flanders Law Firm LLC handles all aspects of Minnesota probate.

If you find yourself a personal representative for the first time and don’t know what to do, or, if your family is facing a situation where a loved has died and you aren’t clear on the proper legal procedures, please give the firm a call to discuss how we can help you and your family.

Some of the common probate issues include:  collection of debts and assets, transfers by affidavit, notice to creditors and beneficiaries, inventories, distributions, and all other aspects of probating an estate.

Minnesota Probate Process

There are many laws and rules to follow in the probate process.  It can be overwhelming for a person who is trying to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Many people simply do not understand all of the rules they must follow if they are in charge of the loved one’s estate. Often, as a Minnesota probate attorney, I am contacted by family members within a short time after a loved-one’s death.

I have found that the family is often distraught and, sometimes, not able to think clearly about how to administer the loved-one’s estate. Below, are some of the initial steps that I advise all people to take when they are faced with administering an estate for the first time:

  • First, review the deceased’s driver’s license, health care directives, and other relevant documents.
  • Was the deceased an organ donor?
  • Have funeral and burial arrangements been made?
  • Do you have a death certificate?  If not, where can you get one?
  • Has the attending physician declared death and made the proper report?
  • Do you have information related to the deceased’s assets and debts?
  • Did the deceased leave a Will and/or Trust document?
  • If so, do you have access to the original Will and/or Trust?
  • Do you have a copy of the Will and/or Trust?
  • Do you have access to the Health Care and Financial Powers-of-Attorney?
  • Did the deceased have a safe deposit box?
  • Do you know who the executor or personal representative of the estate is?
  • Do you have the names, addresses, and telephone number of the deceased’s heirs?
  • Does someone (the personal representative or executor) have access to financial documents like bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other assets of the deceased?
  • Does someone know who the deceased’s creditors were (who the deceased owed money to)?
  • Did the deceased leave behind a home or other real property?
  • Did the deceased have tangible personal property (rings, jewelry, antiques, etc)?

Knowing the answers to at least some of these questions will give the probate lawyer a lot of good information to go on. When administering someone’s estate, it is important to know as much as possible about the deceased’s last wishes.  The more information you have, the easier it will be to administer the estate in a timely fashion.

For further information on the probate process in Minnesota, contact Joseph M. Flanders at Flanders Law Firm LLC today.

Free Initial Consultations

Contact the Flanders Law Firm today.  The firm offers free consultations to all potential clients.  Call (612) 424-0398.

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