Overview
Ramsey County is located in Minnesota with a population of approximately 542,000. The Ramsey County Probate Court (Second Judicial District) handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Minnesota probate is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 524 (Uniform Probate Code). The process begins with filing a Petition for Formal or Informal Probate to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of General Administration for intestate estates.
Minnesota offers a simplified process for small estates. If the value of the probate estate (personal property) does not exceed $75,000, you may be able to use an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property to transfer assets without a court hearing.
Minnesota does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or executors based on a percentage of the estate; fees must be "reasonable" based on the services provided.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Ramsey County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Ramsey County Probate Court
Probate matters in Ramsey County are handled at the Ramsey County Courthouse (City Hall).
Address: 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Room 170, St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-8266 (Probate Division)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Probate Court is part of the Civil Division of the Second Judicial District. It is located in downtown St. Paul in the historic Art Deco City Hall/Courthouse building.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available in several nearby ramps, including the Victory Parking Ramp (344 Wabasha St N) and the Lawson Parking Ramp (11 5th St W). Limited metered street parking is available but strictly enforced. The courthouse is also accessible via the METRO Green Line (Central Station stop) and various Metro Transit bus routes.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property: If the estate's personal property is valued at $75,000 or less, you may wait 30 days after death and present this affidavit to holders of property to transfer assets without court involvement.
- Transfer on Death Deeds: Real estate with a recorded Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) passes directly to beneficiaries.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal or informal probate is needed, file a Petition for Formal Probate (Form PRO1202) or Application for Informal Probate (Form PRO802) with the Ramsey County Probate Court. Include:
- Petition for Probate (Formal or Informal)
- Original Last Will and Testament (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $325)
- Certificate of Representation (if represented by an attorney)
Attorneys are required to e-file documents via the Minnesota eFile & eServe (eFS) system. Pro se litigants (representing themselves) may file in paper or choose to e-file.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing (or notice of informal probate) to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 14 days before the hearing.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Ramsey County (typically the St. Paul Legal Ledger) for two consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
For formal probate, the court will schedule a hearing on the petition. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of General Administration. For informal probate, the Probate Registrar may approve the application without a hearing if there are no objections.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors (creditors have 4 months from the date of notice to file claims).
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 6 months of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate taxes.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Unsupervised Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate (or similar closing petition) to conclude the matter.
Local Requirements
Ramsey County-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: Electronic filing is mandatory for attorneys in Ramsey County. Self-represented litigants are encouraged but not currently required to e-file.
- Remote Hearings: Many probate hearings in Ramsey County are currently held remotely via Zoom. Check your hearing notice carefully for login instructions.
- Publication: The St. Paul Legal Ledger is the designated newspaper for most legal notices in Ramsey County.
- Will Deposit: The court accepts original wills for safekeeping for a fee of $27.
Always check the Second Judicial District website for the most current standing orders and local rules.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Ramsey County)
- Probate Petition (Formal or Informal): approximately $325 (includes base fee + law library fees)
- Will Deposit (Safekeeping): $27
- Certified copies of Letters: $14 per certified copy
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$150 (payable directly to the newspaper)
- Claims: $0 (filing a claim against an estate usually requires a fee if filed with the court, approx. $70, or can be presented to the Personal Representative)
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). A convenience fee applies to credit card transactions.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Informal): 6-12 months
- Average estates: 12-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
The creditor claim period in Minnesota is 4 months from the date of publication, which sets a minimum duration for the estate administration.
Local Resources
Ramsey County Court Resources
- Court Website: mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Ramsey
- Probate Self-Help: mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate-Wills-and-Estates
- Minnesota Probate Forms: mncourts.gov/GetForms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Ramsey County Bar Association: (651) 222-0846 — Attorney referral service
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS): (651) 222-4731 — Legal aid for low-income residents
- MN Unbundled Law Project: mnunbundled.org
Publication
- St. Paul Legal Ledger: 612-584-1563 — minnlawyer.com
- St. Paul Pioneer Press: (651) 222-1111 — twincities.com