When someone dies with a revocable living trust, family members often receive a copy of the trust in the mail along with a letter from the trustee. That letter may start a short clock. Under Minn. Stat. § 501C.0605, a person who wants to contest the validity of a...
The federal estate tax now reaches very few families. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July 2025, set the federal exemption at $15 million per person for 2026, indexed for inflation going forward. A married couple can shelter about $30 million. Minnesota did...
As of August 1, 2026, Minnesotans can sign trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and many guardianship and probate documents electronically. The Legislature adopted the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act this spring (2026 Minn. Laws ch. 45,...
Creating your own estate plan may seem like a simple way to save time and money. However, a missed requirement or unclear provision could disrupt your wishes and place added strain on your family. If you are concerned about your assets, knowing where do-it-yourself...
Talking about inheritance with your children can feel uncomfortable. Some parents worry it will create unrealistic expectations. Others fear it will spark family conflict. Understanding the advantages and the risks can help you decide what level of disclosure makes...
Probate is “supposed to” bring order to the distribution of a deceased person’s estate, but that process can quickly become complicated when an unexpected heir comes forward. The appearance of a previously unknown child or spouse after a death often introduces legal...
Naming an executor is one of the most important decisions that an adult can make when estate planning, given the control over that individual’s legacy that an executor will ultimately be empowered by. Yet, this decision is too often made quickly and/or based on...
A trustee has an obligation to the beneficiaries of an estate. Specifically, they have a fiduciary duty. They should act in the best interests of beneficiaries by properly managing trust resources. Their goal should be to optimize what beneficiaries ultimately receive...
When you die without a will, known legally as dying intestate, you leave the distribution of your estate up to state law, not personal intent. In Minnesota, a specific order of inheritance applies, and who gets your assets depends entirely on your family structure at...
Estate planning in Minnesota often brings up one major concern: how to pass on property without dragging your family through probate. A transfer-on-death deed (TODD) offers a straightforward way to make that happen, especially when you want clarity, control and...