Serves the Twin Cities from an office on Hardman Court in South St. Paul. Attorney John P. Worrell represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in uncontested estates and trusts and in contested probate and trust disputes, and advises families on guardianship and conservatorship. Robert C. Hoene founded the practice in 1978.
Probate in Watonwan County
Probate Court Record
Watonwan County District Court
Watonwan County · Fifth Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
710 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Watonwan County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Watonwan County? →Settling an estate in Watonwan County →
Trust Litigation Firms Serving Watonwan County
Serves Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes Area from Brainerd, with appointment offices in Crosslake and Crosby. Guides personal representatives through probate, assists trustees with distributions and fiduciary duties, and resolves will, trust and inheritance disputes. Partners Mark A. Severson and Kurt W. Porter are MSBA Board Certified Real Property Law Specialists.
Serves Clay County and the Fargo-Moorhead metro from Moorhead, with offices in Fargo and Bismarck. Commences probate, prepares estate inventories, accountings, estate tax returns and deeds, and prosecutes and defends will contests, trust administration and fiduciary claims and disputed estate tax matters. Founded in 1880; in Moorhead since its 2004 merger with the Gunhus Law Firm.
All 4 Minnesota trust litigation firms serving Watonwan County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free Minnesota forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Minnesota.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Minnesota: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Minnesota.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Minnesota happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMinn. Stat. § 501C.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Minnesota, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Minn. Stat. § 501C.0708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Calculate the Fee
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Minnesota: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-706, 524.3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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