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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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TIP THREE: FOR REALLY BAD FIDUCIARIES,<br />

HAVE COUNTY ATTORNEY PROSECUTE AND ASK FOR<br />

RESTITUTION<br />

A. Often clients whose family members misappropriate estate assets<br />

will say “Isn’t that illegal? Can’t we put the executor in jail?”<br />

B. As a general matter, the prosecuting authority will decline the case<br />

on the basis that the probate theft is “a civil matter.”<br />

C. However, if the theft is sufficiently serious or if the dissatisfied<br />

family member has the ear of the county attorney, a prosecution is<br />

possible.<br />

D. See State v. Schmitz, copy in Appendix.<br />

E. Victim (the estate by the personal representative or the special<br />

administrator) may request restitution from the district court<br />

handling the criminal case. Minn. Stat. § 611A.04.<br />

F. While we don’t have Debtor’s Prison anymore, revocation of stayed<br />

jail or prison time for unpaid restitution can be an extremely<br />

effective collection device.<br />

3

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