How Much Does Probate Cost in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Ramsey County can expect.
What probate costs in Ramsey 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 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Room 170, St. Paul. The court is part of the Second Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through the Probate Court. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Minnesota charges $310Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); 2025 Minn. Laws c. 35, art. 1, § 20Verified May 31, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the District Court (https://www.mncourts.gov/file-a-case/file-in-a-district-trial-court.aspx). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Minnesota are negotiated, typically 2%Minn. Stat. § 524.3-720 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%Minn. Stat. § 524.3-720 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%Minn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%Minn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Minnesota requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Minnesota typically runs 6 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 (small estate $75Verified May 31, 2026 to 9 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 (small estate $75Verified May 31, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-803Verified May 31, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); 2025 Minn. Laws c. 35, art. 1, § 20
- Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 (small estate $75
- Minn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Minn. Stat. § 524.3-720 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Minn. Stat. § 524.3-803
Data sourced from Minnesota statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Ramsey County, that means filing fees ($310 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $310 in Ramsey County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Minnesota uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Minnesota allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Minnesota estates under $75,000 can use a Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property and avoid most probate costs. Check the Minnesota self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Ramsey County probate.
District Court
Ramsey County
15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Room 170
St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone:
651-266-8266Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed Legal Holidays)
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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