James Crist

Jim Crist has been trying probate cases for over 38 years. His focus on probate litigation has allowed him to develop a practical understanding of how the courts in Minnesota apply the law in these difficult situations. In addition to numerous trials, he has appeared before the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals on over 25 occasions. Jim has represented heirs, devisees, trust beneficiaries, guardians, conservators, trustees, and personal representatives in hundreds of probate matters. He probate litigation experience includes:

• Challenging the validity of wills or trusts based on diminished capacity and undue influence
• Defending wills and trusts against claims of diminished capacity or 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 incolving alleged power of attorney abuse
• Life Insurance beneficiary disputes
• Family Squabbles

In recognition of his experience in the area of probate litigation, Jim has been selected by over 200 attorneys to mediate their contested probate claims.