How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Minnesota?
Minnesota pays executors reasonable compensationMinn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
Minnesota law says only that compensation must be reasonable; it names no percentage, so no exact figure exists to look up. The estimate is built from the 16 states whose legislatures set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the middle half of those results is the range, 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of a $500,000 estate. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Minnesota law; the probate court has the final say.
Minnesota statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.Minn. Stat. § 524.3-719Verified Jul 25, 2026View source
Minnesota does not require a bond of the personal representative by defaultMinn. Stat. § 524.3-603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. A court can still order one. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Minnesota probate: attorney fees of typically 1.9%Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, and executor compensation is set separatelyMinn. Stat. § 524.3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. Estimate the attorney fee with the Minnesota probate attorney fee calculator.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Minnesota
Free forms for settling an estate in Minnesota: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Minnesota, the notice to creditors is published for 2Minn. Stat. §§ 524.3-801, 524.3-803, 524.3-805, 524.3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Minnesota, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $75,000Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Minnesota, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsMinn. Stat. §§ 524.3-1003(b), 524.3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 inheritance taxes.
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Minnesota, the District Court appoints the personal representative and the Probate Registrar in informal proceedings issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of General Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableMinn. Stat. § 524.3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Minnesota, creditors have 4 monthsMinn. Stat. § 524.3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Minnesota pays the claims in 7Minn. Stat. § 524.3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Minnesota costs an estimated $26,108Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.9%Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Minn. Stat. § 525.515 (just and reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; review under § 524.3-721)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire a Minnesota Probate Attorney
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Minnesota Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Minnesota probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.