September 2008

TODD: Forms

by Boyd Johnson on September 30, 2008

Several new Transfer on Death Deed UCB forms are now available on practicelaw.org for Minnesota attorneys.

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Nonexoneration

by Boyd Johnson on September 15, 2008

What happens when a Will specifically devises real property to a person but the real property is mortgaged?

Under Minnesota statutes, the devise passes subject to the mortgage interest existing at the date of death.

What if the Will has a clause that says something like, “I direct that my just debts allowed in the course of administration of my estate be paid by the Personal Representative from the residue of the estate”? Would the Personal Representative then be required to pay off the mortgage from the residue and deliver the real property to the devisee free from the mortgage?

No, the devise passes subject to the mortgage regardless of a general directive in the Will to pay debts.

See Minn. Stat. 524.2-607.

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Presumption of Death

September 7, 2008

Controversy continues to swirl regarding whether adventurer and billionaire Steve Fossett really died when the plane he was piloting went missing one year ago yesterday. Conspiracy buffs and some rescue searchers speculate that he may have faked his own death. Regardless, an Illinois court declared him presumed dead in February this year, even though no [...]

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Abandoned Ashes

September 4, 2008

A recent AP story details a growing national problem: unclaimed cremation ashes. The article indicates that there is no consensus among the states on how to deal with this issue. How has Minnesota dealt with this problem? Generally, the crematory or funeral establishment is required to give written notice by certified mail to appropriate persons [...]

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TODD: Grantee’s Address

September 2, 2008

Until you hear differently, be sure to include the current address of each grantee you include on a Transfer on Death Deed (TODD). Multiple attorneys in the Twin Cities are reporting that metro counties are making this a requirement, even though Minnesota Statutes are silent regarding the matter.

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