Minnesota Real Estate Sale: Costs & Commission Explained

Three named factors decide the fee, a separate five-factor test covers the attorney, and a $310 filing fee sits underneath both.

Minn. Stat. §524.3-719, 525.515

Quick answer: the ordinary 5-6% realtor commission applies as usual. The personal representative's own pay is reasonable compensation, weighed against three named factors — commonly landing around 2%-4% of estate value in practice. See how this plays out for your own numbers in the Minnesota probate real estate sale calculator.

Three factors, named directly in the statute

Straight from §524.3-719: reasonable compensation is reviewed against the time and labor required, the complexity and novelty of the problems involved, and the extent of the responsibilities assumed and the results obtained. Unlike a percentage table, this ties the fee to the actual work — a straightforward sale in a simple estate supports less than a contested, complicated one.

Attorney fees run on a separate five-factor test

Under Minn. Stat. §525.515, attorney compensation is judged independently, and the court gives weight to any written fee agreement the decedent left. Most Minnesota probate attorneys charge $250-$500 per hour, with flat-fee packages available for simple, uncontested estates.

Bond: not automatic

Under §524.3-603, a bond generally isn't required without a court order — a default that keeps costs down for straightforward, uncontested estates, though an interested person can still demand one under a separate provision.

The filing fee, separate from either compensation

Minnesota charges a base district court filing fee of $310 (§357.021, subd. 2(1)) to open probate — a fixed cost distinct from whatever the PR or attorney ultimately earns.

Facing probate in Minnesota?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Minnesota attorney

The $310 filing fee and the three-factor reasonableness standard apply the same way in Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Anoka County.

Sale costs and commission — frequently asked questions

What factors set a Minnesota personal representative's reasonable fee?

The time and labor required, the complexity and novelty of the problems involved, and the extent of the responsibilities assumed and the results obtained — the three factors named directly in Minn. Stat. 524.3-719.

Are Minnesota attorney fees calculated the same way as PR compensation?

They follow their own separate five-factor test under Minn. Stat. 525.515, and the court gives weight to any written fee agreement the decedent left with the attorney, which isn't part of the personal representative's own compensation analysis.

Is a bond required for a Minnesota personal representative to sell the house?

Not automatically — under Minn. Stat. 524.3-603, a bond generally isn't required without a court order, though an interested person can demand one under a separate provision.

What is Minnesota's district court filing fee for opening probate?

A base fee of $310 under Minn. Stat. 357.021, subdivision 2(1), separate from any personal representative or attorney compensation.

What does it cost to sell real estate during probate in Minnesota?

The ordinary 5-6% realtor commission applies as usual. The personal representative's own pay is reasonable compensation, weighed against three named factors — commonly landing around 2%-4% of estate value in practice.

This page provides general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Based on Minn. Stat. §524.3-719, 525.515, 524.3-603, 357.021. Confirm current figures with the District Court or a licensed Minnesota attorney before acting.