What to Do When Someone Dies in Pine County, Minnesota

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

Probate Court Record

Pine County District Court

Pine County · Tenth Judicial District

Hours

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

Office

635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 320, Pine City, MN 55063

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

  • Pine County Courthouse, at the Court Administration window1-763-760-6699 · 10courthelp@courts.state.mn.us · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PMThe Tenth District Self-Help Center takes walk-ins here on the second Wednesday of the month, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., first come, first served; staffing can change the days, so call ahead. It also helps by phone, by email and by Zoom appointment on weekdays.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Pine 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 Pine County, probate runs through the District Court at 635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 320, Pine City. The court sits in the Tenth 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 Pine County

What probate costs in Pine 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 635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 320, Pine City. The court is part of the Tenth 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 Pine County, Minnesota are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the Tenth Judicial District.

The Tenth District Self-Help Center takes walk-ins here on the second Wednesday of the month, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., first come, first served; staffing can change the days, so call ahead. It also helps by phone, by email and by Zoom appointment on weekdays.

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 Pine County Self-Filing Assessment.

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 Pine County

In Minnesota a death is registered locally, and in Pine County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Pine County Recorder's Office as well as by Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

County Vital Records Office

Pine County · Pine County Recorder's Office

Hours

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

Office

635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 250, Pine City, MN 55063

Certified copies

At the counter

Local rule

  • Applications are not taken online or by fax, and only an original state application is accepted. The office holds county deaths from 1871.

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

District Medical Examiner

Pine County · Midwest Medical Examiner's Office

Hours

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

Office

14341 Rhinestone Street Northwest, Ramsey, MN 55303

Serves this county

Midwest Medical Examiner's Office

Release of remains

1-651-642-3159 · After-hours alternate line

Mail and offices

Fax

1-763-324-1042

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Pine 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 Pine County are recorded with the County Recorder at 635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 250, Pine City, MN 55063. Phone: 1-320-591-1642. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

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

Pine County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Pine County

Hours

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

Office

635 Northridge Drive Northwest, Suite 250, Pine City, MN 55063

Fees

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$46
Well Disclosure CertificateNot required for a TOD deed$54
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

Minn. Stat. 357.18 (Abstract); Minn. Stat. 508.82 (Torrens)

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Pine County

Minnesota allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Pine 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 Pine 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.

Solo PracticePine City, MN

Cabak Law LLC

Since 2012 · Serves 1 county

Serves Pine City and the surrounding Pine County area from a Main Street office. Handles both informal and formal probate for personal representatives after a death, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Attorney John M. Cabak formed the firm in 2012 and bills some services hourly and others on a flat fee.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
243 Main St SPine City, MN 55063

FirmCambridge, MN

Parker Satrom Law, P.A.

Since 1950 · Serves 5 counties

Serves Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec, Pine and Anoka counties from Cambridge. Opens estates, inventories assets, manages creditor claims and prepares estate and fiduciary tax returns for personal representatives and trustees, and handles guardianships, conservatorships and Medical Assistance planning. Founded in 1950 by Robert S. Parker, a former Isanti County Attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 9 more

Office
123 South Ashland StreetCambridge, MN 55008

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

Solo PracticeAnoka, MN

Field Law, P.A.

Serves the whole state

Serves Anoka County and the north metro, including Elk River and Cambridge, from its Anoka office. Attorney Joseph Field guides executors and administrators through probate, from filing the will to paying creditors, transferring assets and resolving will challenges. He meets clients at home or in senior living, and the first half hour is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTax Planning

Office
2006 First Ave N, Suite 206Anoka, MN 55303
Free consultation

FirmWorthington, MN

Hedeen Hughes & Wetering

Since 1923 · Serves the whole state

Serves Nobles County from Worthington, and its lawyers practice in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa. Sees families through probate and estate administration after a death and works to resolve estate disputes without lengthy proceedings. Its estate planning emphasizes minimizing state and federal tax, and the practice dates to 1923.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax Planning

Office
1206 Oxford StreetWorthington, MN 56187

Solo PracticeSouth St. Paul, MN

Hoene & Worrell

Since 1978 · Serves the whole state

Serves the Twin Cities from an office on Hardman Court in South St. Paul. Attorney John P. Worrell represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in uncontested estates and trusts and in contested probate and trust disputes, and advises families on guardianship and conservatorship. Robert C. Hoene founded the practice in 1978.

PracticesTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more

Office
105 Hardman Court, Suite 110South St. Paul, MN 55075
See all 11 firms serving Pine 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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