Minnesota Probate Cost: Court Fees and County Checks
Minnesota uses a flat base court filing fee that does not scale with estate value. Start with the $310 first-paper fee, add the county law library fee, then plan for publication, copies, and any professional help.
Minnesota probate cost planning is simpler than in percentage-fee states because the court filing fee does not scale with estate value. The Minnesota Judicial Branch lists a $310 base fee for the first paper filed in an estate, and counties add a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the published total usually runs $310 to $325.
Beyond the filing fee, plan separately for publication of the notice to creditors, certified copies, any bond, real estate work, and professional help. The affidavit for collection of personal property avoids the court filing fee entirely because it does not open a court case. Confirm the current amount with the county district court before filing.
Quick Summary
The $310 base filing fee is statewide, but each county adds a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the amount due at the counter differs by county. Confirm the current total, payment methods, and local filing instructions with the county district court before filing.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property | $75,000 or less in personal property; no real property | $0 (no court filing) | 30+ days after death | No | Small personal-property estates that avoid opening a court case |
| Informal Probate | No small-estate dollar cap; uncontested estates | $310 base ($310-$325 with county law library fee) | Often several months | No statewide requirement; often useful | Uncontested estates handled by the probate registrar |
| Formal Probate | No small-estate dollar cap; disputes or judge-needed issues | $310 base ($310-$325 with county law library fee) | Often several months or longer | Recommended for contested matters | Will contests, unclear heirs, or matters needing a judge |
| Supervised Administration | No small-estate dollar cap; full court supervision | $310 base ($310-$325 with county law library fee) | Often the longest path, with oversight through closing | Recommended | Estates that need ongoing court oversight of the personal representative |
Additional Costs to Expect
County Law Library Fee
On top of the $310 base fee, counties add a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the published total for the first paper filed in an estate usually runs $310-$325. Confirm the current county amount.
Personal Representative Compensation
Minnesota does not use a statutory percentage schedule. Under Minn. Stat. 524.3-719, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation, and the court can review it for time, complexity, responsibility, and results.
Publication / Notice to Creditors
When a probate estate is opened, notice to creditors is typically published in a qualified newspaper. The cost depends on the newspaper and the county.
Certified Copies and Court Documents
Families often need certified copies of letters, orders, or the will for banks, title work, and transfer agents. County district courts set per-copy and per-page charges.
Bond Premium
A fiduciary bond may be required depending on the will, the personal representative, the heirs, and the estate value. Separate bond quotes from court filing fees.
Attorney, Real Estate, and Tax Help
Legal, real estate recording, title, appraisal, accounting, and tax costs depend on the estate facts and the service agreement, and can exceed the court filing fee on larger or complex estates.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- Minnesota Uniform Probate Code (Minn. Stat. ch. 524) and Minn. Stat. 357.021
- Fee Source
- Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Fees and Minn. Stat. 357.021, subd. 2
- Last Verified
- June 2026
- Notes
- The $310 base fee is statewide under Minn. Stat. 357.021, but counties add a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the published total typically runs $310-$325. Minnesota does not use a statutory percentage fee schedule for probate.
Sources
- District Court FeesMinnesota Judicial Branch. Current official fee schedule, accessed June 2026.
- Sec. 357.021, Court Administrator of District Court; FeesMinnesota Revisor's Office. Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
- Sec. 524.3-719, Compensation of Personal RepresentativeMinnesota Revisor's Office. Current official statute text, accessed June 2026.
- Estate TaxMinnesota Department of Revenue. Current official tax-type page, accessed June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does probate cost in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Judicial Branch lists a $310 base fee for the first paper filed in an estate. Counties add a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the published total usually runs $310 to $325. The filing fee does not scale with estate value, but publication, copies, bond, real estate work, and professional help can add to the total.
Does the Minnesota probate filing fee depend on estate value?
No. Minnesota charges a flat base fee of $310 for the first paper filed in an estate regardless of the estate size, plus the county law library fee. There is no statutory percentage fee and no separate probate tax tied to estate value.
What is the cheapest way to settle an estate in Minnesota?
For a qualifying small estate, the affidavit for collection of personal property avoids the court filing fee because it does not open a court case. It works for $75,000 or less in personal property after 30 days and does not transfer real estate. If the estate needs a personal representative or includes real property, informal or formal probate is the usual starting point.
How are personal representatives paid in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not set a statutory percentage. Under Minn. Stat. 524.3-719, a personal representative is entitled to reasonable compensation, and the court can review that amount based on factors such as the time and labor required, the complexity of the work, and the results obtained.
Does Minnesota have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
Minnesota has a state estate tax with a $3,000,000 exemption and rates of 13 to 16 percent, but it has no inheritance tax. The estate tax is separate from probate court fees, and most estates do not owe it. Settled has a separate Minnesota estate-tax tool if you need to check whether an estate may be affected.
Are Minnesota probate fees the same in every county?
The $310 base fee is statewide, but counties add a law library fee under chapter 134A, so the amount due at the counter differs by county. Publication rates, copy charges, and other costs also vary, so confirm current amounts with the county district court.
Estimate Your Minnesota Probate Path
Use the Minnesota assessment and calculator tools to see which probate process may apply and what it may cost.