Probate
After the death of someone you care about, it can be difficult to think about how to divide that person’s property. In a time of grief, discussions of money are of little comfort. However, determining the appropriate process to go about distributing the property after a person passes can be more tolerable with the assistance of an attorney. The law firm of Johnson & Turner, P.A. represents people who need help navigating the sometimes complicated and confusing process of determining how to distribute a person’s assets after death.
Distributing a person’s assets after death requires more than just giving away personal property. To divide the property of a person after they pass away, our court system often requires a legal proceeding to be filed in order to settle a deceased person’s property or estate. The process of settling an estate after a person has died is referred to as probate. Probate is often thought of as a lengthy and costly process which ties up a person’s estate for years before any property is transferred. That is not the case. Probate is merely the process of ensuring that a deceased person’s assets have been fully accounted for, ensuring the payment of any outstanding debts, and requiring the appropriate distribution of any remaining assets to the people who are entitled to that property by law.
It is a common misconception that if a deceased person has a will, then probate is not necessary. However, probate is necessary if a person dies and owns real estate, or has died with assets in solely his or her name totaling $50,000.00 or more, or when a person passes away with a combination of property and assets solely in his or her name. Whether that person had a will does not determine whether probate is necessary.
If you have questions regarding the probate of a will or estate, arrange a free consultation with Johnson & Turner, P.A.
Johnson & Turner, P.A.
56 East Broadway Avenue Suite 206
Forest Lake, MN 55025
(p) 651-464-7292
(f) 651-464-7348
Johnson & Turner, P.A. is located in the heart of Forest Lake, Minnesota just East of I-35.
Off I-35...
Take the Broadway Ave. exit. On Broadway go East, crossing highway 61.
We are located in the large brown brick building with a clock tower. Look for the Johnson & Turner sign on the second floor. We are located on the second floor in Suite 206.