Probate cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, estates up to $75,000 can often skip full probate. For a $300,000 estate, the court fee is set by each county.
Minnesota's small estate limit is $75,000. Above it, the estate usually goes through probate.
- Court fee to open probatevaries by county
- Attorney feeNo legal schedule: set by agreement or the courtset by agreement
- Executor fee sourceNo legal schedule: set by agreement or the courtset by agreement
Probate total$0+
The total leaves out the costs shown without a number.
- Quicken WillMaker & Trust Plus sourceOne-time price for one person$149
- Yearly feeoptional yearly renewal$40
- Moving a home into the trustSet by your county recordercounty recording fee
Trust total$149+
Assets left outside the trust can still need probate.
Probate cost by estate size
| Estate value | Court fee | Attorney (law) | Executor (law) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | not set by law | not set by law | not set by law | $0+ |
| $250,000 | not set by law | not set by law | not set by law | $0+ |
| $500,000 | not set by law | not set by law | not set by law | $0+ |
| $1,000,000 | not set by law | not set by law | not set by law | $0+ |
"Not set by law" means the fee is agreed with the lawyer or set by the court, so it is not in the total. Use your own numbers.
The rules in Minnesota
- Small estate limit: $75,000 (Affidavit for collection of personal property, Minn. Stat. 524.3-1201). Does not cover real estate. Heirs wait 30 days after the death. Value of the entire probate estate less liens. Personal property only. 2025 Minnesota Statutes. Not re-read in the v3 pass. Source
- Simplified probate: Summary closing of small estates, Minn. Stat. 524.3-1203 subd. 5, up to $150,000. Source
- Court fee: Set by each county. Minnesota Judicial Branch fee chart, Probate: 'Estates, Trusts, Guardianships, Conservatorships - First Paper Filed' has a $310 state base fee (Minn. Stat. 357.021 subd. 2(1)). Counties may add a law library fee, so the total varies by county. Example: Hennepin County $322 ($310 base + $12 law library fee). Read 2026-10-10 in the browser. Source
- Attorney fee: No legal schedule: set by agreement or the court. No statutory schedule known. Not verified from statute text.
- Executor fee: No legal schedule: set by agreement or the court. Reasonable compensation, based on time and labor, complexity, and responsibilities and results. Source
Some Minnesota rules could not be checked on a current official page. Each rule links to the source we used. Confirm with the court or a lawyer before you rely on it.
General information from official state sources, not legal advice.