How much does probate add to the cost of a will in Minnesota?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Minnesota costs about $27,583 — roughly 6% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 (small estate: entire probate estate ≤ $75,000 / 30-day wait / personal property only), § 524.3-803 & § 524.3-801 (4-mo creditor claims, 1-yr absolute bar; publication once weekly for two weeks), § 524.3-603 (bond), § 524.3-706 & § 524.3-707 (PR-valued inventory; appraiser permissive), § 524.3-719 (PR compensation), § 525.515 (attorney fees), § 524.3-301 & § 524.3-302 (informal probate via registrar), § 524.3-704 (unsupervised administration), § 357.021 subd. 2(1) ($310 filing fee)). These costs are paid by the estate before assets transfer to beneficiaries, reducing the total inheritance.

How Much Does a Will Cost in Minnesota?

Compare will costs across providers in Minnesota. Includes document purchase, annual subscriptions, life event fees, and probate costs your heirs will pay.

State

Document Type

Estate Value

Used to calculate probate costs when your estate is distributed

Plan Type

IndividualCouple

Life Events (next 5 years)

Select events that might happen. These affect costs on some platforms.

Get marriedHave a baby

Cost estimates based on published pricing. Actual costs may vary.Pricing verified June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Will costs in Minnesota depend on the provider. Online services range from $30-$300 upfront. Attorneys in Minnesota charge around $345/hour for wills and estates, putting a simple will between $1,035 and $2,070. The document is only part of the cost: probate on a $500,000 estate in Minnesota adds about $27,583 in fees that heirs pay later.

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Minnesota costs about $27,583 — roughly 6% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. These costs are paid by the estate before assets transfer to beneficiaries, reducing the total inheritance. Estimate the full cost with the Minnesota probate calculator.

A will does not avoid probate in Minnesota — probate is the court-supervised process that validates the will, pays debts, and distributes assets. Estates under $75,000 may qualify for a simplified small-estate procedure instead of full probate. A revocable living trust transfers assets to beneficiaries without probate at any estate size.

Online will services cost $30-$300 upfront compared to $1,035-$2,070 for an attorney in Minnesota. Either way, the will goes through the same probate process. Total cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and the eventual probate expenses heirs will pay.

Life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child require updating your will. Some online providers require purchasing a new document. Attorney amendments in Minnesota cost $353 to $706 for minor changes and $1,412 to $2,824 for major restructuring.

Minnesota has specific requirements for executing a valid will, including witness and notary rules. A will that does not meet these requirements may not be accepted during probate. See the full requirements with the Minnesota signing requirements tool.

Will Costs in Minnesota

A will in Minnesota costs $1,035 to $2,070 through an attorney, or $30-$300 through an online service. However, the document cost is only the beginning. The will still goes through probate, adding about $27,583 on a $500,000 estate in court costs, attorney fees, and executor compensation that heirs must pay.

Probate in Minnesota lasts 4 months to 6 months for straightforward cases, with attorney fees that are reasonable compensation. Small estates under $75,000 may use abbreviated procedures. For a detailed fee estimate, use the probate calculator.

For a will to be accepted during Minnesota probate, it must meet the state's execution requirements, including witness and notary rules. Failing to meet these requirements can invalidate the document entirely. Check what Minnesota requires with the signing requirements tool.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Minnesota statutes and official state code. How we research.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption

Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.

Learn more

Divorce

What divorce does and does not undo: beneficiary designations, your will, powers of attorney, and the one account your ex stays on until you change it.

Learn more