Estate administration covers the legal and financial matters involved in settling an estate. Learn what the process can involve in Minnesota.
When someone passes away, there are often financial and legal matters that don’t simply end with them. Property may need to be accounted for, bills and other obligations may remain outstanding, and assets eventually need to make their way to the appropriate people.
The work involved in settling these affairs is known as estate administration.
It’s a term that often comes up alongside probate, and while the two are closely connected, they don’t mean exactly the same thing. Here’s a closer look at estate administration in Minnesota and what the process generally involves.
What Is Estate Administration?
Estate administration is the process of handling a person’s financial and property-related affairs after their death.
An estate can look very different from one person to the next. It might include a home or other real estate, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, personal belongings, business interests, and other assets.
The administration process brings those different pieces together so the person’s remaining affairs can be settled.
Where Does Probate Fit In?
Probate and estate administration are often talked about as though they’re the same thing, but there’s a distinction between them.
Estate administration is the broader process of settling an estate. Probate is a court proceeding that may be part of that process.
Some estates involve probate proceedings, while assets may also be handled in other ways depending on how they’re owned or structured. That’s one reason estate administration can look different from one situation to another.
Who Is a Personal Representative?
Another term that frequently comes up during estate administration in Minnesota is personal representative.
A personal representative is the person responsible for carrying out many of the tasks involved in administering an estate. The individual may be named in a will or appointed as part of a probate proceeding.
Depending on the estate, their responsibilities can involve identifying property, managing estate assets, addressing financial obligations, completing necessary documents, and overseeing the eventual distribution of remaining property.
What Happens to Estate Assets?
One of the bigger pieces of estate administration is identifying the property connected to the estate.
That property may include:
Not every asset necessarily follows the same path. How property is owned and whether other arrangements are associated with an asset can affect how it is handled after death.
For that reason, two estates with similar values can still involve very different administration processes.
What About Debts and Other Financial Matters?
Estate administration isn’t only about determining where property goes. An estate may also have outstanding financial obligations that remain after a person’s death.
Depending on the circumstances, those can include bills, creditor claims, administration expenses, and other financial matters connected to the estate.
Addressing those obligations is another part of settling the estate before the administration process reaches its conclusion.
How Long Does Estate Administration Take in Minnesota?
There isn’t a standard timeline that applies to every Minnesota estate administration.
Some estates are relatively straightforward. Others involve real estate, numerous financial accounts, creditor claims, probate proceedings, or disagreements that add additional steps to the process.
The property involved and the legal and financial matters surrounding the estate can all influence how long administration takes.
When Is an Estate Fully Administered?
Estate administration comes to an end once the matters associated with the estate have been completed.
Depending on the circumstances, that can involve addressing outstanding obligations, completing any required probate proceedings, handling estate property, and distributing the remaining assets.
Because every estate is different, the path from the beginning of administration to the final resolution can vary considerably.
Final Thoughts
Estate administration in Minnesota is the broader process of settling the legal, financial, and property matters that remain after someone passes away. Probate may be part of that process, but estate administration can involve much more, from identifying assets and addressing debts to ultimately distributing property.
While the details vary from one estate to another, the purpose of estate administration remains the same: bringing the person’s remaining financial and property affairs to a conclusion.
At Borden, Steinbauer, Krueger & Knudson, P.A., we assist families and personal representatives with probate and estate administration matters in the Brainerd Lakes Area and throughout Minnesota.
Born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Sam is thrilled to return to Central Minnesota after passing the bar exam in 2024. Sam's diverse experience spans roles with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office (Civil Division), a Nebraska lobbying firm, Hudl, and the University of Nebraska Civil Clinic. Through these positions, he gained valuable exposure to various areas of law, including civil litigation, policy advocacy, and client counseling. Early in his legal career, Sam is eager to leverage his skills and experiences to deliver effective and personalized legal solutions for BSKK’s clients.
Areas of Practice:
- Business Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Property Law & Real Estate
- Contract Disputes
- Personal Injury
- Probate/Trust Disputes
- Landlord/Tenant
- Family Law
Education:
- University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska, 2024, J.D.
- Concentration in Real Estate and Business Transactions
- North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, 2019, B.S.
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Majors: Political Science and Management Communication
Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota 2024
Professional Memberships:
- Minnesota State Bar Association
David V. Hurt is a seasoned litigator who has been advocating for individuals, families, and businesses across Minnesota since 2012. His practice is rooted in a practical, results-driven approach that blends strategic litigation with thoughtful dispute resolution. David's clients trust him to navigate complex legal issues with clarity, efficiency, and unwavering commitment.
He began his legal career clerking for the Honorable John G. Melbye in the Ninth Judicial District of Minnesota, where he gained invaluable perspective on trial practice and judicial reasoning. Since then, he has built a diverse portfolio of experience at firms in Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania—litigating matters ranging from corporate and construction disputes to aviation claims.
David’s practice spans a wide range of civil matters, including business formation and litigation, real estate and land use disputes, probate and trust litigation, and family law. He is particularly experienced in resolving high-conflict disputes and routinely employs alternative dispute resolution strategies to secure favorable outcomes for his clients while minimizing cost and disruption.
Areas of Practice:
Education:
Bar Admissions:
Professional Affiliations:
Virginia "Ginny" Knudson represents individuals and businesses in various areas of law, including, estate planning and probate, business and corporate, real estate, and governmental relations. Ginny provides mediation services in divorce and custody, especially for business owners and high wage-earners, as well as for real estate, probate and business disputes. Ginny has been selected as a top attorney by Minnesota Super Lawyer Magazine from for 13 years.
Areas of Practice:
– Estate planning
– Business and corporate
– Real estate and landlord representation
– Probate disputes, guardianships and conservatorships
– Municipal and governmental relations
-- Mediation
Education:
– University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1994, J.D.
– Honors: Cum Laude
– University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1991, B.A.
– Honors: Summa Cum Laude
– Honors: Aquinas Scholar
– Major: Economics, Spanish, Minor: Business
Bar Admissions:
– Minnesota, 1994
– U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1994
– U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1996
Professional Memberships:
– St. Francis Church Finance Council, 2004–present, Chair and Trustee
- Essentia-St. Joseph's Medical Center, Directors Council, 2020-present
- Lakes Area Music Festival Board, Board Member 2022-present
– Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce, 2016-2022, Board Member and Chair
– Mount Ski Gull, Board Member, 2014-2019
– Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Brainerd Lodge #615
– Zonta International, 1999–2018
– Jaycees, Brainerd, 1998–1999
– Aitkin/Crow Wing County Bar Association, 2000–2001, President
– Aitkin/Crow Wing County Bar Association, 1999–2000, Vice-President
Patrick has been practicing law since 1980, dedicating over 90% of his career to representing personal injury victims and their families, as well as handling a wide range of civil litigation matters. He is a Certified Trial Specialist recognized by the Minnesota Bar Association and was named a leading American attorney in personal injury law by the American Research Corporation. His professional excellence also earned him recognition as a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law & Politics, placing him among the top six percent of attorneys in Minnesota.
Pat is enjoying a well-deserved retirement after 40+ years of practice. We thank Pat for his years of dedication to the firm and his service to the Brainerd Lakes Area. His legacy is marked by a deep commitment to justice, compassion for clients, and significant contributions to the legal profession.
Areas of Practice (during his active years):
Plaintiff’s Personal Injury
Civil Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Construction Litigation
Contract Litigation
Mediation and Arbitration
Education:
– University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, ND – J.D., 1980
- Honors: Graduate of the Year, Bruce Inn
- North Dakota Law Review, 1979–1980
– Concordia College, Moorhead, MN – B.A., 1974
- Major: Business Administration / Hospital Administration
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1980
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1981
Professional Memberships:
American Bar Association, Member
Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
American Association for Justice, Member
Minnesota Association for Justice, Member
Crow Wing-Aitkin County Bar Association, Past President
Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member
Brainerd Jaycees, Past President (1981–1982)
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Brainerd Lodge #615, Past Exalted Ruler
P.O.R.T. Group Home, Past Member, Board of Directors
