How Much Does Probate Cost?
Thinking about what will happen to your most special keepsakes, assets and other belongings after your death is never an easy thing. In fact, it is easier to simply put off important decisions about your estate. More than 60% of Americans currently are without a will. And, when a family member or loved one dies, there are often many questions about what happens to their assets and how long it takes for them to be distributed. The probate process is the legal process of paying debts and distributing assets that occurs after a person dies. Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn can help demystify the probate process, in addition providing support to you and your family for all other aspects of estate planning including will creation, designation of a power of attorney, creating a living trust and health care directive. Our legal team works closely with residents living in the Anoka County area, including Anoka, Coon Rapids, Blaine, Andover and Ham Lake, MN and has twenty years of experience in probate law and estate planning. Read Full Post
With the new year comes renewed commitments, new year’s resolutions and hope for health and happiness for the future. Many resolutions are health related and involve losing weight and exercising more, while others may include increased organization around your home. Another important resolution that may be a bit less popular, but equally if not more important, is estate planning. Now is a great time to partner with the the legal team at Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn to complete simple estate planning so that your loved ones are taken care of in the event of an unexpected illness or death.
When a person passes away, the family is left with the cumbersome task of settling the estate of the deceased. Essentially, probate and estate administration is used to formally transfer the real property, distribute assets of the decedent and settle all claims against the estate. If you were selected as the personal representative for a loved one’s estate, we can guide you through every step. In Minnesota, probate occurs when a resident of the state passes away while owning a property at that time. Formal probate is not always necessary after a person passes away in Minnesota. The probate process is required when survivor-ship rights have not been created, when real property is titled in an individual’s own name or when real estate is held as a tenant in common with another. Minnesota law generally requires probate for an estate greater than $50,000. If that person has real estate in other states, those properties are subject to the probate laws in that state. It is also important to remember that just because someone has a will, this does not necessarily avoid the probate process. 
Life can change in an instant. We all know that this is the case but, despite this fact, it remains extremely difficult to spend time planning for unforeseen circumstances such as a sudden illness, accident or untimely death of a loved one. 
People generally assume that estate planning is complex and expensive, which makes it easy to overlook or put off, until the time comes when it is clearly needed. Basic estate planning can actually be completed fairly easily, with the help of an experienced lawyer and just a little bit of time. 
