James Crist

Jim Crist tried contested probate cases for almost 40 years. As of 2025, he is retired from the day-to-day practice of law. While he is no longer a firm partner, he maintains his firm affiliation in an “of Counsel” role. In his retirement, Jim continues to mediate contested probate cases for other attorneys and is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Jim Crist is a practical, likeable, probate mediator.

Call Jim for help mediating your case at 612-554-9951.

Mediation Experience. Over the last 20 years, Jim Crist has been selected by more than 250 attorneys to mediate their contested probate matters including:

• Will Contests
• Estate Administration Disputes
• Trust Disputes
• Guardianship/Conservatorship Disputes
• Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directive Disputes
• Cabin ownership disputes
• Family Financial Squabbles

Jim mediates only probate law matters. After years of probate law practice and hundreds of contested cases, Jim understands the legal and practical issues often found in probate disputes. He has learned what motivates people to resolve these sensitive family matters and is committed to helping attorneys creatively explore all settlement possibilities. 

Probate Mediation offers attorneys and their clients the opportunity to:

• Reach a thoughtful binding end to expensive litigation
• Create unique settlement solutions not possible through a trial
• Craft a private resolution of disputes
• Frankly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case

Probate Law Litigation Experience. Probate litigation experience is essential for a probate mediator to understand your case. Jim has represented heirs, devisees, trust beneficiaries, guardians, conservators, trustees, and personal representatives in hundreds of probate matters. His probate litigation experience included:

• Challenges to wills or trusts based on diminished capacity and undue influence
• Representing trust beneficiaries asserting their rights under trust instruments
• Defending personal representatives, trustees, guardians, and conservators against fiduciary claims of others
• Disputes regarding whether a guardianship/conservatorship should be established, the powers granted, and who should serve as guardian/conservator
• Lawsuits to recover assets stolen from vulnerable adults
• Preventing murderers from financially benefitting from the death of their victims
• Bringing and defending claims against surety bonds
• Disputes involving alleged power of attorney abuse
• Life Insurance beneficiary disputes
• Family Squabbles

In addition, Jim appeared before the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals on over 25 occasions.