Minneapolis Estate Planning And Probate Lawyers

An estate plan is a set of legal documents that protects your interests and your loved ones in the event of your death or incapacitation. Without at least a basic will, your family members may face stressful decisions — and the state of Minnesota could determine who inherits your property. That’s why working with trusted probate estate lawyers is essential.

At Burns & Hansen, P.A., our experienced Minneapolis estate planning and probate lawyers provide individualized services designed to clearly express your wishes, secure your future care, and help your loved ones avoid unnecessary legal disputes or probate delays. We also assist with estate administration and probate matters throughout Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and beyond. Contact us today at for a free initial consultation.

Why Everyone Should Have an Estate Plan

Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy or elderly. Our clients include individuals and families from all walks of life. Whether you’re getting married, divorced, welcoming a child, purchasing a new home, or preparing for retirement, creating or updating your estate plan is critical. Our family estate lawyers help ensure that your plan reflects life’s changes and prepares you for the unexpected.

If you own a small business, our team can align your succession plan with your personal estate goals. As lawyers for probate estate and planning matters, we’re here to guide you through every step.

Comprehensive Estate Planning and Probate Services

Our firm provides a full range of services to help you plan ahead and protect what matters most:

• Wills and trusts – Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Certain trusts may help your family avoid probate or reduce estate taxes.

• Power of attorney – Appoint someone you trust to handle financial or business matters if you become unable to manage them yourself.
• Health care directives – Designate someone to make medical and end-of-life decisions if you’re incapacitated.
• Guardianships – Secure care and oversight for a loved one unable to care for themselves.
• Conservatorships – Assign a conservator to manage a loved one’s finances or medical needs.

• Estate administration and probate– Work with experienced probate law attorneys to resolve outstanding issues and administer your loved one’s estate efficiently.

Our estate probate lawyers take the time to listen and ask thoughtful questions: Who should inherit your assets? Who would care for your children if something happened to you? Who do you trust to manage your affairs? Would you want life-sustaining treatments?

Estate Administration and Probate Disputes

If you’ve been named the executor or personal representative of a loved one’s estate, we offer practical legal support at reasonable rates. As experienced lawyer probate professionals, we can advise you through the process or handle administration duties on your behalf. Our firm has managed everything from complex, high-value estates to modest estates that don’t require formal probate.

We also represent heirs and beneficiaries in probate litigation, including will contests and disputes over asset distribution. Our probate estate lawyers understand that these conflicts can strain family relationships. While we strive for peaceful resolutions, our skilled litigators are prepared to protect your rights in court when necessary.

Work With Trusted Lawyer Estate Planning Professionals

Whether you’re planning ahead or facing probate after a loved one’s passing, our lawyer estate planning team is here to provide the clarity and confidence you need. Let Burns & Hansen, P.A. help you prepare for the future and support your family when it matters most.

Common Estate Planning Questions

At Burns & Hansen, P.A., we provide a spectrum of legal services to clients from throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Many people do not consider drafting a will or trust until later in life. But developing an estate plan is an important step for anyone, regardless of their age. Often, our lawyers will hear the following questions related to estate plans:

When should I update my will?

Many things happen throughout our lives that will make us second-guess our estate plan. Whether you update your will depends on your current wishes for your assets. Relationships change over time, for instance, and you may no longer trust a person who is on your will. You may also want to change your will after a major life event like a death or a divorce.

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process that occurs after a person’s death. The will of the deceased must be proven, and the estate settled before inheritances may be distributed to heirs; this occurs through probate.

Why should I have a power of attorney?

A power of attorney will give you a say in who controls your assets in the event of your death or incapacitation. Because these events are often unpredictable, having a power of attorney may give you peace of mind regarding the future. Essentially, a power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person authorization to control your financial matters.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

Perhaps the biggest difference between a will and a trust is that a will goes into effect after a person dies. But a trust may have a trustee appointed to certain assets or property once the trust has been made official. There are different types of trusts, and how you and your attorney draft your trust will differ case by case. Trusts may also help heirs avoid the probate process.

How can a lawyer help me with my estate plan?

An experienced lawyer understands the process for all elements of your estate plan. He or she can walk you through your options, give you the pros and cons of each approach and help you decide what is best for your assets and your loved ones going forward.

To learn more about how we may help you, reach out to our office for some insight or schedule a free initial consultation. Call us in Minneapolis at 952-219-7897.