What to Do When Someone Dies in Dakota County, Minnesota

How probate works in Dakota County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

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

E-filing

Required for attorneysFiling fees paid through eFile and eServe take Visa, Mastercard or Discover; American Express is not accepted. On paper: Self-represented litigants are exempt from mandatory e-filing and may file on paper at the courthouse or by mail; they may also choose to e-file (once a self-represented filer e-files into a case, they must continue to e-file for the rest of that case).

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes statewide probate forms for starting and closing informal and formal probate, collecting a small estate by affidavit, and determining descent.

Self-help center

  • Self-help service1-651-435-6535 · Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PMThe Statewide Self-Help Center answers questions by phone and through an online contact form. Staff give legal information and court forms, not legal advice. Every county courthouse except Hennepin has a Self-Help workstation with a computer, phone and printer.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Dakota County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Dakota County, probate runs through the District Court at 1560 West Highway 55, Hastings. The court sits in the First Judicial District.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Minnesota intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Minnesota estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Dakota County

What probate costs in Dakota County, Minnesota comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 1560 West Highway 55, Hastings. The court is part of the First Judicial District.

The District Court charges $310Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); 2025 Minn. Laws c. 35, art. 1, § 20Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Minnesota are negotiated, 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Minnesota allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payMinn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Minnesota requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

Probate in Minnesota typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the District Court

Probate cases in Dakota County, Minnesota are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the First Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Probate.

The Statewide Self-Help Center answers questions by phone and through an online contact form. Staff give legal information and court forms, not legal advice. Every county courthouse except Hennepin has a Self-Help workstation with a computer, phone and printer.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Minnesota has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableMinn. Stat. § 524.3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Dakota County Self-Filing Assessment.

Dakota County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Document Requirements

Exhibits must be submitted via the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES), effective January 1, 2025.

Source

Court Appearances

Continuance policy (effective September 22, 2022) requires use of the court's dedicated continuance request form.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the District Court: Death certificate of the decedent, and of any heirs or devisees who died before the decedent; Original will and any codicils (for testate estates) (Minn. Stat. § 524.2-516 custodian's duty to deliver / § 524.3-301(2)(i) filing); Acceptance of Appointment of Personal Representative and Oath by Individual (PRO902); Nomination of Personal Representative and/or Renunciation of Priority for Appointment, and Bond (PRO901) where applicable; Affidavit of Mailing of Notice to interested persons (PRO703/PRO803 informal; PRO1103/PRO1203 formal) / Notice and Order for Hearing in formal casesMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-301 to 524.3-311 (informal appointment); §§ 524.3-401 to 524.3-414 (formal testacy & appointment)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Dakota County

In Minnesota a death is registered locally, and in Dakota County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Dakota County Administration Center, Vitals as well as by Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

County Vital Records Office

Dakota County · Dakota County Administration Center, Vitals

Hours

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

Office

1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

Certified copies

At the counter

Local rule

  • The Northern Service Center and the Burnsville, Lakeville and Robert Trail license centers also issue death certificates. Walk-ins are taken and appointments are encouraged.

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Medical Examiner

Dakota County · Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office

Hours

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

Office

14250 County Road 62, Minnetonka, MN 55345

Serves this county

Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office

Cremation authorization

Signed by this office

Mail and offices

Fax

1-612-466-9980

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Dakota County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Dakota County are recorded with the County Recorder at 1590 Highway 55, Administration Center, Hastings, MN 55033. Phone: 1-651-438-4597. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to Dakota County Property Taxation & Records, Attn: Document Recording, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033.

The County Recorder charges $46 flat, regardless of page count.

Dakota County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Dakota County · Property Taxation & Records

Hours

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

Office

1590 Highway 55, Administration Center, Hastings, MN 55033

Mail

Dakota County Property Taxation & Records Attn: Document Recording 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Dakota County

Minnesota allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Dakota County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.

Probate attorney fees in Minnesota are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Dakota County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmMinneapolis, MN

Burns & Hansen, P.A.

Serves Minneapolis and the Twin Cities from an office on Wayzata Boulevard. Advises executors and personal representatives through estate administration or handles it for them, and represents heirs and beneficiaries in will contests and distribution disputes. Also petitions for guardianships and conservatorships, and offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipand 4 more

Office
8401 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 300Minneapolis, MN 55426
Free consultation

FirmWoodbury, MN

Chandler and Brown, Ltd.

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
3020 Woodbury DriveWoodbury, MN 55129
Free consultation

Solo PracticeBloomington, MN

Law Office of Amy Kuronen, PLLC

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
9733 Russell Avenue SouthBloomington, MN 55431
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeFaribault, MN

Hoffman & Associates, PLLC

Since 2005 · Serves 7 counties

Serves Faribault, Northfield, Le Center, Waseca and Owatonna from Faribault, with regional offices in Red Wing, Rochester and Apple Valley. Handles probate and the distribution of an estate's assets to beneficiaries, whether or not the person left a will, alongside estate planning. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate

Office
118 1st Ave NEFaribault, MN 55021

Solo PracticeHutchinson, MN

Law Offices of Troy A. Scotting

Serves 10 counties

Serves Brown, Carver, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Sibley, Stearns and Wright counties from offices in Hutchinson and Waconia. Prepares last wills, revocable living trusts, health care directives and financial and medical powers of attorney, alongside a family law, criminal defense and personal injury practice. Saturday appointments are available.

PracticesEstate PlanningCriminal DefenseFamily LawPersonal Injury

Office
95 Second Avenue S.E.Hutchinson, MN 55350

FirmMankato, MN

Farrish Johnson Law Office

Since 1893 · Serves the whole state

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more

Office
1907 Excel DriveMankato, MN 56001
Free consultation
See all 14 firms serving Dakota County →

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Minnesota statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Minnesota

Free tools for settling an estate in Minnesota: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Minnesota.

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.

See the Steps

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.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Minnesota has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableMinn. Stat. § 524.3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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