Probate Administration ◊ Conservatorships ◊ Guardianships ◊ Trusts
If you have been named in the will of a loved one as executor or personal representative for the estate, you may be uncertain what your responsibilities will be. You want an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process, helping you complete the steps necessary to settle the estate.
If you are an heir or person named in a will, you need your questions answered and your rights protected.
If you are the child, parent or other relative of a person who lacks the capacity to manage his or her own affairs, you may need assistance setting up a conservatorship or guardianship to protect them and their assets. Or you may have questions about the process or concerns that you want to be sure are addressed.
We have extensive experience in probate matters, including guardianships and conservatorships. We place a premium on personal service and attention, answering all calls and e-mails on a timely basis and making certain you work directly with an attorney throughout the process.
Representative cases include: In Re Conservatorship/Guardianship of Karla Iwen, CX-02-1777, 2003 WL 21007240, (Minn. App., May 6, 2003) (Trial Attorney only); In Re Estate of Marie M. Moldenhauer, A08-0263, 2009 WL 173867 (Minn. App. Jan. 27, 2009); Gellert vs. Eginton, 770 Minn. App. (Minn. App, 2009)
We offer a free initial consultation in all probate matters. Contact our office or call us at 651-315-8738 (toll-free at 888-342-2493) to schedule an appointment.
Our Probate Practice
We work with:
- Personal representatives (sometimes called executors)
- Heirs
- Devisees (persons named in the will to receive assets)
- Trustees
- Trust beneficiaries
We will prepare and file all documents required by the probate court or trust administration. We will act as your advocate in all hearings or proceedings throughout the process. We will work with you to prepare and file an accounting of the assets of the estate or trust, pay all final debts and taxes of the deceased, and oversee the orderly distribution of assets in accordance with the terms of the will, Minnesota intestate law or trust.
We handle all types of probate proceedings, including:
- Informal
- Formal, unsupervised
- Formal, supervised.
We handle contested and uncontested probate cases and also do Decrees of Descent, Summary Administrations, Ancillary Probates and Affidavits for Collections (in small estates) or Affidavits of Survivorship (if no probate required).
Helping You Set Up a Conservatorship or Guardianship
If you have a parent or elderly relative who no longer has the mental capacity to manage his or her affairs or you are the parent of a disabled child, we will assess the situation and help you set up the best legal structure for protecting their interests. Based on their needs and their ability to function, we may petition the court to have a guardian or conservator appointed. A conservator serves only to manage financial affairs, including assets and income. If your loved one has no assets or significant income, a guardianship may be the appropriate vehicle. We will also advise you regarding other elder law issues that may arise, such as Medical Assistance planning or the prepayment of funeral expenses. We can also assist in setting up special needs or supplemental needs trusts.
We handle both contested and uncontested guardianship/conservatorship proceedings. We will also prepare any reports that must be filed, including the annual accounting of assets that must be submitted to the court.
Attorney Melanie Liska is one of a select number of people appointed by the probate courts in Hennepin and Ramsey County to represent wards in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
Feeling Overwhelmed by a Probate Matter? Call Us
For a free initial consultation, contact us or call us at 651-315-8738 (toll-free at 888-342-2493).
Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged upon request.
Our offices are conveniently located on Grand Avenue just off Snelling, but we will set up an offsite visit, if requested.
We offer payment plans and accept Visa and MasterCard.
