Frequently Asked Questions

The length of a probate proceeding depends upon many variables, including how many issues are in dispute. Please discuss any questions or concerns you have at your consultation.

We ask that you complete a Probate Information Sheet and provide us with a certified copy of the Death Certificate. We can email, fax, or mail you the Probate Information Sheet, or you can stop in to pick it up at your convenience.

Estate planning is the general term for planning for what will happen to you and your property when you become incapacitated and pass away. It typically involves creating a will, making a healthcare directive, and may even involve granting a power-of-attorney, creating a trust, and strategically transferring your assets prior to your death. Planning for these events before you encounter health-related crises has the benefit of making sure your wishes are known and followed, preventing conflict among your heirs and family members, easing the burden on your heirs and family members of the formalities involved in your passing, as well as handling your assets in a more financially advantageous manner than would otherwise occur in the absence of estate planning.

We ask that you review and complete an Estate Planning Packet and book an appointment when you are ready.

We will generally ask you for the necessary information and documents after meeting with you; however, you can speed up the process by locating the most recent deed or deeds for the property, contact information for every person who has or will have an ownership interest in the property, as well as make us aware of any liens, easements, and other encumbrances on the property.

The Recorder’s Office can have your document for 10-14 days before returning it to our office by regular mail.

The real estate document recording system is formal and complex. There are many requirements for documents that are recorded. By mandating compliance with these requirements, many real estate problems are avoided later on, such as when you are trying to get a mortgage or sell your property. The Recorder may decline to record your deed because it is not legible, there are delinquent property taxes, you did not include enough payment for fees, or for several other reasons set forth by law. Please contact one of our real estate attorneys for assistance to re-submit your documents.

Please contact one of our real estate attorneys to discuss the specifics of your real estate closing needs to see if handling a closing at our firm is available. In general, most closings are handled at Carlton County Abstract & Title Company, which is next door to our office. Carlton County Abstract & Title Company charges their own set of fees for closings.

There is a wide variation in how long it can take to complete a real estate transaction. The timeline often depends on how complex the transaction is, how much additional information needs to be gathered, the number of parties, and whether statutes mandating specific time periods are involved.   

There are a number of ways to gift or sell real property to your child(ren). Each method may have different financial implications. Please call or stop in the office to book an appointment to meet with one of our real estate attorneys to discuss which option best fits your needs.

There are many conditions that your property must meet as required by the zoning authority to approve a lot line adjustment or lot split, including a survey of your property. Please call or stop in the office to book an appointment to meet with one of our real estate attorneys to discuss whether a lot line adjustment or lot split is appropriate. Our real estate attorneys will work with the surveyor and the zoning authority to facilitate a lot line adjustment or lot split.

We do not offer any free consultations for family law, either by phone or in person. Please contact our office for our attorneys’ hourly rates and to make arrangements for billing.

The length of a dissolution of marriage proceeding depends upon many variables, including how many issues are in dispute. Please discuss any questions or concerns you have at your consultation.

We ask that you provide us with any child support orders or any court orders as well as a copy of the Recognition of Parentage (ROP), if any.

We ask that you complete a Dissolution Questionnaire following your initial office conference and provide us with the documents requested in that packet.

Please contact Abagail M. Nouska to discuss your needs concerning your family law matter. If we are able to assist you, Ms. Nouska will require a retainer payment before she will begin working with you. Please call our office for further information on retainer amounts and availability for short notice hearings.