Minnesota court upholds son's 300-acre farm claim despite father's later will

A Minnesota appeals court reversed a ruling reopening a dispute over a farm of about 300 acres in Red Lake County. Clarence Vatthauer’s son, David, obtained a 2017 decree recognising his interest under his father’s 1982 will. Years later, Clarence’s daughter, Julie Ford, found a 1989 will leaving the farmland to his wife, Fern.

According to a Minnesota Court of Appeals opinion filed on September 8, 2026, the decree could not be cancelled as void for lack of jurisdiction.The court said the district court erred by issuing it without the required medical-assistance-claim clearance, but the mistake did not remove its authority. It reversed the decision to vacate the decree and ordered recognition of its finality because no appeal was filed against it.How 300-acre farm becomes the centre of a dispute between siblingsClarence owned and farmed the Home Parcel, about 300 acres of farmland and cattle pasture in Red Lake County. His 1982 will gave Fern a life estate in the property, with the remainder passing to David.

Clarence and Fern made new wills in 1989.