✍️ Sarah Mitchell
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⚖️ Legally reviewed by James Hartley
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Last reviewed: July 2026
Affiliate Disclosure: Law-Trust.com may earn a commission when you click links to Trust & Will on this page, at no extra cost to you. Rankings are editorially independent. This is not legal advice.
Minnesota has a modern, UPC-based will law that makes online estate planning straightforward for most residents. The state adopted the Uniform Probate Code in 1975, giving it one of the most streamlined and well-tested probate frameworks in the United States. Whether you're in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, or a rural county, making a legally valid will online is entirely achievable.
Minnesota imposes a state estate tax with a $3,000,000 per-person exemption — well below the federal threshold of $13.61 million. For Twin Cities homeowners with substantial retirement accounts or a family cabin, this threshold is more reachable than most people realize. Combined with UPC-based will execution and no inheritance tax, understanding Minnesota's estate landscape is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about making a will online in Minnesota in 2026.
Is an Online Will Legal in Minnesota?
Yes — online wills are fully legal in Minnesota when properly executed.
Under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502 (the Minnesota Uniform Probate Code), a valid Minnesota will must be: (1) in writing; (2) signed by the testator, or in the testator's name by some other person in the testator's conscious presence and at the testator's direction; and (3) signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after witnessing either the signing of the will or the testator's acknowledgment of that signature or acknowledgment of the will. The testator must be at least 18 years old (§ 524.2-501).
Notarization is not required for a valid Minnesota will. A self-proving affidavit under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-504 is strongly recommended — it allows the will to be admitted to probate without requiring the witnesses to testify in court. Most quality online services include this automatically.
Holographic Wills in Minnesota
Minnesota recognizes holographic wills under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502(b). A holographic will is valid if the signature and the material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses are required. However, holographic wills are more easily contested, harder to prove, and provide less legal certainty than a typed, witnessed will. A quality online service always produces a superior document.
Electronic Wills in Minnesota
Minnesota has not yet enacted the Uniform Electronic Wills Act as of 2026. Electronic or digital-only wills do not have a dedicated legal framework in Minnesota. Your online will should be printed and physically signed with two witnesses present. The online service is a drafting tool; physical execution is required.
Minnesota Will Requirements Checklist
✔ Minnesota Legal Will Requirements (Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502)
- You are at least 18 years old (§ 524.2-501) and of sound mind
- The will is in writing (typed or printed)
- You sign the will in the conscious presence of your witnesses
- At least two individuals sign within a reasonable time after witnessing your signing or acknowledgment
- Witnesses should be disinterested (not beneficiaries) — safest practice
- Self-proving affidavit under § 524.2-504 strongly recommended
- Holographic wills: signature and material portions in testator's handwriting
No Minnesota State Estate Tax
Minnesota does not have a state estate tax. Minnesota repealed its estate tax as part of broader state tax reform. This is a significant advantage for Minnesota estate planning — particularly compared to neighboring Wisconsin (which had one briefly) and states like Massachusetts ($2M threshold) and Oregon.
Only the federal estate tax applies to Minnesota residents, with a 2026 exemption of $13.61 million per individual. Minnesota also has no state inheritance tax. The vast majority of Minnesota residents will never owe any death tax beyond the federal level — and most will owe nothing.
Minnesota Probate: How It Works
Minnesota is a Uniform Probate Code (UPC) state, which provides for a streamlined probate process. Probate is handled by the District Court (Probate Division) in the county where the deceased resided.
Informal vs. Formal Probate
Minnesota's UPC framework offers:
- Informal probate — Most common. The personal representative is appointed and administers the estate with minimal court oversight. No court hearings required unless disputes arise.
- Formal probate — Required when there are disputes about will validity, unclear heirs, or other contested issues. Requires court hearings.
- Supervised administration — Court oversight throughout; rarely used except in contested estates.
Minnesota's Creditor Claim Period
Minnesota has a notable creditor claim period: creditors generally have one year from the date of death to file claims against the estate (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-803), regardless of whether notice was published. This one-year period is longer than many states' 3–6 month periods and means the estate may not be fully distributable for at least a year.
Small Estate Affidavit in Minnesota
Minnesota allows a small estate affidavit procedure for estates with personal property valued at $75,000 or less (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201). This simplified process allows heirs to collect personal property without going through full probate. Real property above this threshold generally requires probate unless it passes through other mechanisms.
Spousal Elective Share
Minnesota provides a surviving spouse's elective share under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-202. The elective share amount increases with the length of marriage, up to 50% of the decedent's augmented estate after 15+ years of marriage. This protects surviving spouses from disinheritance and is important to understand when planning for a blended family situation.
Best Online Will Services for Minnesota Residents
Best overall — Minnesota UPC compliant, all essential documents, living trust option
Will plan from
$199
Minnesota MUPC Compliant
Self-Proving Affidavit
Healthcare Directive
Durable POA
Free Updates
Trust & Will is our top pick for Minnesota residents. It generates Minn. Stat. § 524-compliant documents, includes a self-proving affidavit, and offers a living trust option — valuable for both avoiding probate's one-year creditor period AND for estate tax planning near Minnesota's $3M threshold. The guided questionnaire takes 20–30 minutes for most Minnesotans.
✅ Pros
- Minnesota MUPC-compliant documents
- Self-proving affidavit included
- Living trust helps with MN $3M estate tax planning
- Free lifetime updates
❌ Cons
- Higher price than budget options
- Complex blended family situations may need attorney
Start Your Minnesota Will at Trust & Will →
Good for Minnesota residents wanting attorney access
Will plan from
$99
MN-Compliant
Attorney Network
Business Docs
LegalZoom is a solid choice for Minnesota residents with business interests (common in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro) or blended family situations who want access to licensed Minnesota attorneys alongside their estate planning documents.
✅ Pros
- MN attorney access
- MN-compliant documents
- Business docs available
❌ Cons
- Upsells add cost
- Update fees extra
Visit LegalZoom →
Flexible subscription with Minnesota document access
From
$39.99/mo
MN Templates
Attorney Q&A
Cancel Anytime
Rocket Lawyer provides Minnesota-compliant will templates plus attorney Q&A. Useful for Minnesota residents needing multiple documents or ongoing legal questions about estate planning.
✅ Pros
- Unlimited docs
- Attorney Q&A
- Cancel anytime
❌ Cons
- Monthly subscription
- Less comprehensive guidance
Visit Rocket Lawyer →
One-time desktop purchase with strong Minnesota guidance
One-time
$99
MN-Specific
One-Time Purchase
Comprehensive
Nolo WillMaker is a reputable desktop software with strong Minnesota coverage. The one-time purchase model avoids ongoing subscriptions. Works well for tech-comfortable users who prefer desktop software over a web-based experience.
✅ Pros
- One-time purchase
- MN-specific guidance
- Strong legal explanations
❌ Cons
- Desktop software
- No cloud storage
Visit Nolo WillMaker →
Minnesota Service Comparison
| Service | Price | Best For | Minnesota Notes |
|---|
| Trust & Will (Will Plan) | $199 | Best overall | § 524.2-502 compliant, affidavit, healthcare directive |
| Trust & Will (Trust Plan) | $299 | Avoid probate | Living trust + bypass trust planning for MN $3M exemption |
| LegalZoom | $99+ | Attorney access | MN attorney for blended family/business Qs |
| Rocket Lawyer | $39.99/mo | Multiple docs | Unlimited MN templates + Q&A |
| Nolo WillMaker | $99 one-time | Desktop users | Strong MN guidance, one-time purchase |
| MN Attorney | $1,000–$2,200 | Complex estates | Elective share planning, trust creation |
Ready to Make Your Minnesota Will?
Trust & Will generates Minn. Stat. § 524-compliant documents with a living trust option — particularly valuable for Minnesota residents planning around the state's $3M estate tax threshold.
Start Your Minnesota Will at Trust & Will →
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online will legal in Minnesota?
Yes. Online wills are fully legal in Minnesota under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502 (MUPC) if they are in writing, signed by the testator (age 18+), and signed by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. A self-proving affidavit under § 524.2-504 is strongly recommended.
How many witnesses does a Minnesota will require?
Minnesota requires at least two witnesses who each sign within a reasonable time after witnessing the testator's signing or acknowledgment (§ 524.2-502). Disinterested witnesses (non-beneficiaries) are strongly recommended. The "conscious presence" standard applies.
Are holographic wills valid in Minnesota?
Yes, under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-502(b). A holographic will is valid if the signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses required. However, holographic wills are more easily contested — a typed, witnessed will is always the safer choice.
Does Minnesota have a state estate tax?
Yes. Minnesota imposes a state estate tax under Minn. Stat. § 291.03 with a $3,000,000 per-person exemption (§ 291.016, Subd. 3(b)(4), effective 2020+). Rates are 13%–16% on the taxable estate above $3M. There is no portability — married couples cannot combine exemptions without a bypass trust. There is no Minnesota inheritance tax.
What is Minnesota's small estate threshold?
Minnesota allows a small estate affidavit for personal property valued at $75,000 or less (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201). This simplified procedure allows heirs to collect personal property without full probate. Real property generally requires probate unless it passes through joint tenancy, beneficiary designations, or a trust.
What court handles probate in Minnesota?
Minnesota probate is handled by the District Court (Probate Division) in the county where the deceased resided. Minnesota is a UPC state with informal and formal probate options. Creditors have one year from the date of death to file claims — a longer period than most states.
Does Minnesota recognize remote online notarization?
Yes. Minnesota enacted permanent RON legislation, allowing notarizations via audiovisual technology. This can be used for the self-proving affidavit. Traditional will execution still requires witnesses in the testator's conscious presence for paper wills.
How much does an online will cost in Minnesota?
Online will services for Minnesota residents cost $89–$199 for a complete will package. Trust & Will's will plan is $199 and includes will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. Minnesota estate planning attorneys typically charge $1,000–$2,200.