Parents in Minnesota may not wish to leave equal inheritances to their children, because of their unequal income and resources and their different need for the inheritance. They may also have different expenses such as an upcoming college education for their children...
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Inheritances
When shouldn’t one make an outright gift to a loved one?
Many accounts allow the transfer of some property or inheritances to family members and others in Minnesota without undergoing probate, such as jointly-owned accounts and real estate, retirement accounts and life insurance policies and transfer on death or in trust...
Conservative icon’s family fighting over inheritance
Minnesota residents may have heard of Phyllis Schlafly, who rose to prominence over 50 years by fighting on behalf of very conservative causes. Her family members are now embroiled in a legal fight that began with politics and spilled into their inheritances.Ms....
Avoiding family estate fights
The death of a beloved family member may bring a sense of loss and sadness for family members. Unfortunately, without serious planning and consideration during the drafting of the will, this may evolve into rancor and proceedings in Minnesota courts in disputes over...
Assistance in navigating the inheritance process
When a loved one dies, such as a parent or grandparent, it can be a stressful situation for many Minnesota families. Dealing with the grief of losing someone and the details that surround the death, including a funeral, life insurance benefits, death certificates, and...
Do I have the right to contest my father’s will?
If you have a parent or loved one who has passed away, the stress of the situation may minimize some of the legal proceedings that will take place. One of these, however, is the review and execution of the will. You may find that it has been unexpectedly altered prior...
Dispute over Hall of Fame baseball player’s estate goes on
Although the parties involved were reportedly close to resolving their differences, it now appears that the ongoing probate dispute over the estate of baseball great Ernie Banks, a Hall of Fame player who may be a familiar name to Saint Paul, Minnesota, baseball fans,...
Sibling rivalry dispute in MLK bible case finally settles
Disputes among siblings are common, thus the term sibling rivalry. But what happens when the children grow up and that rivalry continues. The children may have the difficult task of working together in settling their parents' estate. Disagreements among the adult...
5 ways to prepare when you think an estate dispute might get ugly
No family is perfect. But money can bring out the worst in people, and dividing up a parent's assets after death is no exception. If you feel there likely is going to be an estate dispute in your family, here are five ways to prepare. Keep good records. If you are the...
What can an estate executor do to prevent probate litigation?
While not all Minnesota probate litigation can be prevented, there are some things that an executor, often called a personal representative, can do to reduce the possibility of a lawsuit being filed in connection with an estate.The first thing that an executor needs...