The powers of a personal representative in Minnesota are quite broad. The probate code delineates a host of these powers in Minn. Stat. 524.3-715. It is worth taking some time to read through that statute since, if you haven’t, you may discover powers you didn’t know the personal representative had.
Here’s a selection of powers that you may have forgotten about (or ones you didn’t know were permitted):
Satisfaction of Charitable Pledges
(4) satisfy written charitable pledges of the decedent irrespective of whether the pledges constituted binding obligations of the decedent or were properly presented as claims, if in the judgment of the personal representative the decedent would have wanted the pledges completed under the circumstances
Abandon Property
(11) abandon property when, in the opinion of the personal representative, it is valueless, or is so encumbered, or is in condition that it is of no benefit to the estate
Vote Stock
(12) vote stocks or other securities in person or by general or limited proxy
Borrow Money
(16) borrow money with or without security to be repaid from the estate assets or otherwise; and advance money for the protection of the estate
Incorporate a Business
(25) incorporate any business or venture in which the decedent was engaged at the time of death
Exonerate the Personal Representative
(26) provide for exoneration of the personal representative from personal liability in any contract entered into on behalf of the estate
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