Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Minnesota

When planning your final arrangements, the best thing to do is write a letter to the executor of your estate and/or family members regarding your wishes for your funeral. Make sure they have read and understand the details. Do not put this information in your will because a will may not be read until it is too late.

A Health Care Directive is the proper form to complete in order to designate someone to make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. This person is called a "health care agent." They will decide what happens to you based upon your written wishes in the document. Look to Minnesota Statute 145C.16 for a form of this document, otherwise it may be helpful to retain an attorney to draft one for you and ensure all the proper steps are taken to validate the document.