Q: Guidance on probate process and tax issue for mother's property in MN
I am the only child of my mother, who was a firefighter and passed away at the age of 53. I recently discovered that her property in Minneapolis, MN, has a tax issue this year. I was not informed about her business going through probate, as my grandmother handled it without my knowledge. After the funeral, while visiting a bed and breakfast, I was simply told that everything had been taken care of. It seems like names have been changed, and I suspect there's been fraudulent activity, as I've not been told anything honest by my grandmother. With my life being quite unsettled, I need guidance on what steps I can take regarding the probate process, potential fraud, and the tax issue on my mother's property.
A:
A couple of recommendations:
1. Ask your grandmother, in writing, whether your mom had a will and if so, ask to see it.
2. Search MN court records to see if a probate was ever opened for your mom, it should be searchable by her name.
3. If your mom owned any real estate when she passed, research property tax records for ownership information. I also recommend requesting an "Owners & Encumbrances Report" for the property.
This should get you more information, but you'll likely need an attorney because this sounds like a complicated situation.
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