Will
A legal document that states how a person wants their property and assets distributed after they die.
A will is a written document where you state who should receive your property after you die, who should be the guardian of your minor children, and who should handle the distribution of your estate (the executor or personal representative). In Minnesota, a valid will must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and signed by two witnesses.
If you die without a will (called dying “intestate”), Minnesota law decides who inherits your property based on a set formula that prioritizes your closest relatives. Having a will lets you make those choices yourself. A will takes effect only after death and must go through probate, which is the court-supervised process of distributing the estate.
Why it matters: A will is one of the most important legal documents you can create. Without one, your assets may go to people you would not have chosen, and your family may face unnecessary costs and delays in probate court.
Example: A single parent writes a will naming their sibling as the guardian of their minor children and leaving their savings account and home to the children in equal shares, with the sibling managing the assets until the children turn 18.
Estate planning, probate court, after someone passes away