Joint tenancy needs express words, not the old unities
Under Minn. Stat. § 500.19, a grant or devise of land to two or more people is construed as a tenancy in common — no survivorship — unless it's expressly declared to be a joint tenancy. Minnesota also explicitly abolished the old common-law "four unities" requirement, a simpler standard than states like Colorado, which reinstated that stricter test in 2008. See our full breakdown of Minnesota joint tenancy rules.
A TODD that can actually override joint tenancy
Minnesota's transfer on death deed (TODD), enacted in 2008 under § 507.071, works differently from some other states' versions. By default, a TODD doesn't sever an existing joint tenancy — a surviving joint tenant's right of survivorship still wins over the named beneficiary. But unlike Colorado's version, Minnesota's statute lets the deed itself specifically state that it severs the joint tenancy, giving owners a way to override that default if they actually intend to. See our full guide to the Minnesota TODD.
Bank accounts default to survivorship
Under § 524.6-204, sums remaining on deposit in a joint account at a party's death belong to the surviving party or parties by default, unless there's clear and convincing evidence the account holders intended something different. Minnesota also offers specific statutory account-form language that makes survivorship intent conclusive. See our guide to Minnesota beneficiary and P.O.D. accounts.
Where this feeds into other Minnesota calculators
The probate-estate total from this tool is the starting point for Minnesota's probate cost and executor fee calculators, and for checking Minnesota's small estate affidavit. Minnesota does have a state estate tax on larger estates — see our Minnesota Estate Tax Calculator for that separate calculation.