About Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative
To initiate formal probate proceedings and request the court to appoint a personal representative to administer the decedent's estate.
When you'd use it: When a decedent dies with a valid will and a petition must be filed with the district court to formalize probate and secure appointment of a personal representative.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative is published as a PDF by the Minnesota courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Verified official PDF
Source: mncourts.gov
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative in Minnesota
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative (PRO1202) when when a decedent dies with a valid will and a petition must be filed with the district court to formalize probate and secure appointment of a personal representative. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Minnesota probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Petition for Formal Probate of Will and for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Minnesota county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).