What To Do When Someone Dies, Part 4: Should You Choose an Informal or Formal Probate Proceeding?

A Minnesota Probate Attorney Explains the Difference Between Informal and Formal Probate

As stated in my prior posts, there are many different paths to choose when an estate needs to go through probate in Minnesota.  One key decision is whether to take the formal or informal path. The terms informal and formal refer to the type of procedure used to appoint a personal representative to handle the decedent’s affairs and to accept a Will for probate.

Informal probate is the most commonly used form and is easiest for parties to use when the assets are straightforward and when everyone involved gets along.

You should consider filing for a formal probate proceeding if any of the following apply:

  • problems with the will
  • unknown heirs
  • missing will
  • minor heirs
  • high probability for dispute between heirs
  • when there are expected to be problems with the administration.
  • if the estate is insolvent (meaning there is more debt than assets)
  • no one is trustworthy enough to handle matters

The informal probate process

The informal probate process commences when an applicant presents an application to a registrar instead of a judge. The application asks the registrar to appoint the personal representative and accept the will, if there is one. The registrar then approves the estate to proceed informally and makes sure the paperwork (e.g the will, petition for informal probate, affidavit of acceptance by personal representative, list of interested persons) is complete. The registrar is not involved between when the estate is approved and when the final accounting is due. This process has less oversight by the court and additional costs from hearings are not incurred.

The formal probate process

The formal process starts with a probate attorney filing a petition with the court on behalf of a petitioner asking a judge to: 1) determine the heirs of the deceased; 2) verify the validity of the will; and 3) appoint a personal representative.  Counties differ on whether the petitioner and attorney in a formal probate must appear in front of a district court judge so check with a probate attorney to verify the requirements in your county. After deciding to file for formal probate, a petitioner must also determine whether the estate should be supervised, meaning the court must sign off on any distributions to heirs before they are made, or unsupervised, meaning the personal representative does not need the court to approve anything before closing the estate.

Upon receipt of the petition for formal probate, the court reviews the paperwork and approves the Personal Representative. At that point, the personal representative is able to work to resolve all outstanding issues in the estate. Keep in mind that commencing a formal probate proceeding provides the petitioner with access to the judge later on if a judge’s signature is required on matters subsequent to the appointment of a personal representative. The formal process is generally more expensive due to consistent attorney intervention in obtaining the court’s approval and signature and in attending any required hearings.

The probate process can be complicated and confusing so it is a good idea for family members to meet with an experienced probate attorney to assist with