Probate

Minnesota law has for many years provided that attorneys will charge on an hourly rate for completing a probate proceeding. This office has always complied with those laws. Our office does not charge on a percent of what is included in the estate but rather on the time actually spent completing the probate process. In addition, our office has competent trained staff, who are not attorneys, who take care of much of the work performed in a typical probate. Where staff members work on a probate rather than the attorney, their time is billed out at a lower rate in an effort to keep the cost of the probate process as low as reasonably possible for the benefit of the heirs of the estate. We have found that the typical cost of a probate proceeding through our office in our geographic area is between $1,500.00 and $2,500.00. About half of this amount is for attorney’s fees; one-fourth of the cost is for the fees of the personal representative (the executor or the administrator); and one-fourth is the general cost associated with the probate court process (a filing fee, a bond fee, publication fee, and other smaller miscellaneous fees required by the probate process itself).

In Minnesota it usually takes a minimum of about six months to complete the normal probate proceeding because it requires about 30 days to have a personal representative appointed by the court and there is a four month period for creditors to file claims and this period of time must pass even if there are no debts owed by the decedent. It then takes about 30 days to prepare and complete the final accounting process in the estate. Of course, if the estate contains real estate and it takes an extended period of time to sell the real estate, the probate process will take longer.

Most people would prefer to avoid the expense and time involved in going through a probate proceeding. At times it is not possible to avoid probate. If a probate is necessary, we have the experience and the trained staff to efficiently and effectively complete your probate proceeding in a timely manner with the least reasonable expense possible. You should be aware that you do not have to go to the same attorney who may have drawn a will for a loved one to have the probate completed.

Included below is our probate intake sheet which lists the information we need to begin a probate proceeding. If you wish us to assist you with your probate, you may complete the intake sheet and bring it with you when you come to our office or fax it to us. To arrange an appointment to further review the probate process, please call our office either at our regular number (320) 732-6112 or if it is long distance please call us toll free at 1-800-450-6112.

1. Probate intake form (This will open a new window so you can print the form out)

2. Form letter given to clients who wish to
do the estate bookkeeping. (This will open a new window so you can print the form out)