Detailed answer — step‑by‑step under Minnesota law

Below are practical steps to take when you believe a spouse’s estate has no probate assets and you want the court to formally close the estate. This guide assumes you start with little or no legal knowledge. These are general steps consistent with Minnesota probate law and court practice; requirements vary by county and by whether an estate has already been opened.

1. Decide whether probate is required.

   Not all property goes through probate. Assets that usually avoid probate include property held in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, bank or brokerage accounts with payable‑on‑death (POD) or transfer‑on‑death (TOD) beneficiaries, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, and life insurance proceeds paid to a named beneficiary. If all estate property passed by these methods and nothing remains titled solely in the decedent’s name, you may not need a formal probate administration. For an overview of Minnesota probate law, see Minnesota Statutes chapter 524: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524.

2. Gather documents to prove zero balance or non‑probate transfer.

   Collect:

   • Death certificate (several certified copies).
   • Bank, investment, and retirement account statements showing final balances or beneficiary designations.
   • Insurance policies and beneficiary forms.
   • Deeds and vehicle titles showing joint ownership or transfer language.
   • An original will (if any) and any letters testamentary or letters of administration, if probate was opened.
   • Billing statements or creditor communications showing zero balance or that obligations were paid or do not exist.

   These documents are the evidence the court or third parties (banks, title companies) will want to see to confirm there are no probate assets.

3. Identify and handle debts and creditor claims.

   Even if assets are zero, you should check for outstanding debts. If a probate case is opened, Minnesota law includes procedures for creditor notice and claims. If no probate administration exists but you know of creditors, contact them with proof that there are no assets to satisfy claims, and keep records. For court procedures and forms, check the Minnesota Judicial Branch probate pages: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.aspx.

4. If probate was never opened and no probate assets exist, consider an affidavit or direct transfers.

   Some Minnesota banks and institutions accept a certified death certificate plus the account’s beneficiary designation or an affidavit from the surviving spouse to release funds or close a zero‑balance account. Procedures vary by institution. Contact the financial institution or title holder to learn their requirements.

5. If probate was opened, file the appropriate closing papers with the court.

   Where a formal or informal administration has already been opened, the personal representative (or whoever filed the probate) will typically file a final accounting or a petition for discharge and an order closing the estate. Your filing should include:

   • A final accounting or affidavit stating there are no estate assets or that all assets passed outside probate and no distribution is necessary.
   • Receipts and records showing final payment (or no payment owed) of debts and expenses, if any.
   • Copies of documents proving beneficiary transfers or zero balances (bank statements, beneficiary forms, deeds).
   • A proposed order for the judge to sign closing the estate and discharging the personal representative.

   Local courts use different forms and caption formats. Use your county probate court clerk and the Minnesota Judicial Branch forms as a guide: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.aspx. For statutory authority on probate procedure and closing administrations, see Minnesota’s probate statutes at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524.

6. Serve required notices and follow local rules.

   Even when you assert a zero balance, the court may require notice to interested persons, beneficiaries, and certain creditors before entering a closing order. Check local court rules or ask the probate clerk which notices are required in your county. The clerk can point you to required forms and filing fees.

7. Get the court’s written order closing the estate.

   After filing the final papers and providing required notices, the court will review the submission. If the judge is satisfied, the court will sign an order closing and discharging the estate administration. Keep certified copies of that order—banks, title companies, and other third parties may request them.

8. Keep thorough records for tax and future questions.

   Keep all paperwork—death certificates, bank statements, affidavits, filings, the court’s closing order, and correspondence with creditors—for at least a few years. You may need them for final tax filings or to resolve later disputes.

When to contact an attorney or the court clerk

Contact the probate court clerk in the county where the decedent lived for procedural questions and local forms. Consider consulting a Minnesota probate attorney if:

• There is a will contest, creditor dispute, or contested ownership of property.
• Title to real estate remains solely in the decedent’s name.
• Multiple heirs disagree about distributions or debts.
• You’re unsure if beneficiary designations are valid or current.

Helpful Hints

• Start by obtaining several certified copies of the death certificate; many institutions require them.
• Look for beneficiary designations on accounts and retirement plans—these often resolve the matter without probate.
• Call the county probate clerk before you file. They can tell you what forms and fees the court requires in your county.
• If a bank account shows a $0 balance, ask the bank for a written statement or final account ledger showing the zero balance and why (closed, transferred, paid out to beneficiary).
• When in doubt about creditor notice requirements or tax consequences, seek legal advice to avoid future liability.
• Keep a simple chronology (who you called, what you filed, and when) and save copies of everything you file with the court.
• Use Minnesota Judicial Branch probate pages and county court resources for local forms and instructions: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.aspx.