Probate in Dakota County

Probate Court Record

Dakota County District Court

Dakota County · First Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

1560 West Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

How to file probate in Dakota County →

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Dakota County? →Settling an estate in Dakota County →

Asset Protection Firms Serving Dakota County

Serves clients in the east metro, Greater Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Guides personal representatives through every probate step from submitting the will to the final accounting, advises successor trustees, and litigates will contests, fiduciary removals, creditor claims, and trustee disputes. Offers a free initial consultation and often travels to meet clients.

Free consultationEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+3

Works from Bloomington and meets virtually with long-standing clients in the Duluth area and the Northland. Represents personal representatives through probate from the initial paperwork to closing the estate, billed hourly, and advises trustees on trust administration. Amy Kuronen is also a Certified Financial Planner; the free initial consultation covers estate planning.

Solo PracticeVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning+2

All 3 Minnesota asset protection firms serving Dakota County →

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Minnesota

Free forms for planning your estate in Minnesota: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Minnesota.

$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Free

Pour-Over Will

In Minnesota, a pour-over will is signed before 2Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.

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Free

Transfer on Death Deed

In Minnesota, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryMinn. Stat. 507.071Verified Oct 18, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathMinn. Stat. 507.071Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. Minnesota does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.

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Last Will and Testament

In Minnesota, a will is signed before 2Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyMinn. Stat. § 524.2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.

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All Minnesota forms

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Minnesota

Free tools for planning your estate in Minnesota: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Minnesota.

Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?

In Minnesota, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.9%Modeled estimate under Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Modeled estimate under Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Minnesota runs $3,530Estimate: 10 hours at $353, Clio's Minnesota Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,295Estimate: 15 hours at $353, Clio's Minnesota Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Minnesota authorizes transfer on death deedsMinn. Stat. 507.071Verified Oct 17, 2026View source: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

Minnesota automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceMinn. Stat. § 524.2-804Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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All Minnesota tools