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.
Probate in Dakota County
Probate Court Record
Dakota County District Court
Dakota County · First Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1560 West Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033
Website
E-filing
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 →
Trust Litigation Firms Serving Dakota County
Serves southern Minnesota from offices in Mankato and Madelia, and states that its lawyers serve the entire state. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, affidavits of collection, guardianship and conservatorship, and estate litigation including will contests and probate and trust disputes. The firm traces its origin to a Mankato law practice opened on July 1, 1893.
Serves Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes Area from Brainerd, with appointment offices in Crosslake and Crosby. Guides personal representatives through probate, assists trustees with distributions and fiduciary duties, and resolves will, trust and inheritance disputes. Partners Mark A. Severson and Kurt W. Porter are MSBA Board Certified Real Property Law Specialists.
Serves Clay County and the Fargo-Moorhead metro from Moorhead, with offices in Fargo and Bismarck. Commences probate, prepares estate inventories, accountings, estate tax returns and deeds, and prosecutes and defends will contests, trust administration and fiduciary claims and disputed estate tax matters. Founded in 1880; in Moorhead since its 2004 merger with the Gunhus Law Firm.
All 5 Minnesota trust litigation firms serving Dakota County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free Minnesota forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Minnesota.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Minnesota: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Minnesota.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Minnesota happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMinn. Stat. § 501C.0101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Minnesota, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Minn. Stat. § 501C.0708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Calculate the Fee
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Minnesota: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-706, 524.3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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