Consumer Links
Minnesota Attorney General's Office
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353
(800) 657-3787
M - F 8 am - 5 pm
TTY:(651) 297-7206
TTY:(800) 366-4812
Notice:
The State telephone vendor is unfortunately experiencing temporary periods of technical problems that impact our phones. If you are not able to get through to our information line, you may also call (651) 296-6196.
Probate and Planning (PDF)
Table of Contents:
- What is a will?
- Does everyone need a will?
- What rules apply to wills?
- What is a self-proved will?
- What is in a will?
- Can I leave my spouse or my children out of my will?
- What is a personal representative?
- What is a guardian?
- How do I prepare a will?
- How do I change or update a will?
- Where do I keep a will?
- What is probate?
- When is probate necessary?
- What items are not subject to probate?
- How do I probate an estate?
- How will the estate be distributed to heirs?
- What taxes must be paid?
- What is a trust?
- What are the basic types of trusts?
- What are the pros and cons of a revocable living trust?
- How do I establish a trust?
- What is the role of the trustee?
- What is guardianship and conservatorship?
- What is the difference between a conservatorship and a guardianship?
- What are the duties of a guardian?
- What are the duties of a conservator?
- Does a guardian or conservator have absolute power and authority?
- Why might I need a conservator or guardian?
- How do I establish a conservatorship?
- What are the advantages of a conservatorship?
- What are the disadvantages of a conservatorship?
- What are the alternatives to a conservatorship or guardianship?
- What is a power of attorney?
- What is a durable power of attorney?
- When should I use a power of attorney?
- How much power does a power of attorney have?
- How do I create a power of attorney?
- What happens if I don't have a durable power of attorney for finances?
- When does a power of attorney end?
- What is a health care directive?
- What might I need a health care directive for?
- How do I prepare a health care directive?
- What should I include in my health care directive?
- What are the limits on my health care directive?
- How do I change my health care directive?
- How should I plan my funeral?
- How should I pay for my funeral?
- What safeguards exist for consumers who pay in advance?
Sample Forms