Minnesota Probate & Trust Administration Attorney

“Probate” generally refers to the court process by which a deceased person’s assets and debts are collected and paid off and the remainder distributed to the surviving family members or other persons, depending on whether the deceased person had a valid written Will or died without a Will in place.

For many, basic estate planning needs can be met through the creation of a written Will, Power of Attorney, and a Health Care Directive (commonly referred to as a living will). Those with more assets, younger children, or more complicated situations may wish to use a trust to plan for the handling of your estate upon death and possibly to avoid probate.

In the event that a decedent established a living trust, or in the event that a trust is to be created pursuant to the terms of a Will, the person(s) serving as trustee face a somewhat confusing array of requirements for handling assets, distributing assets, continuing maintenance of assets over a number of years, tax return filing requirements, and annual accounting to trust beneficiary requirements, to name a few. An attorney can assist you in establishing a framework by which you can confidently and accurately meet each of your obligations as a trustee. If you are named as a beneficiary of a trust, Burville Law Office, P.A. can counsel you as to your rights and the duties of the trustee of the trust in the event you question whether the trustee is properly administering the trust.