Short answer: In Minnesota you must confirm the estate qualifies for a simplified/small-estate procedure, file the proper petition or affidavit with the probate court in the county where the decedent lived, ask the court to appoint you with the specific limited powers you need (for example, to publish a notice to creditors and to sell a particular parcel of real property), provide required documents (death certificate, lists of heirs, proposed order), give required notice, and follow any court conditions (bond, hearings, and reporting). Selling real estate usually requires specific court authorization even in a small-estate context.

Detailed answer — step‑by‑step

Below is a practical roadmap of the typical steps you will take in Minnesota. This describes the usual process; courts can vary, and the exact filings and timelines depend on the county. For statutory background see Minnesota Probate Code, Chapter 524: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524. For practical court help pages and forms, see the Minnesota Judicial Branch probate pages: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate/Small-Estates.aspx.

1) Confirm the estate qualifies as a small or summary estate

• Determine whether the estate fits Minnesota’s simplified or summary procedures. Many simplified procedures apply mainly to small personal-property estates or where property passes by affidavit. Whether those procedures apply will affect what the court will allow without full administration. Check Chapter 524 for the specific rules that may apply in your situation: Minn. Stat. ch. 524.
• Note: real property often complicates small-estate procedures. If the decedent owned real property, courts commonly require a limited personal representative or full appointment plus a specific court order authorizing sale. Don’t assume you can sell real property just because the estate is “small.”

2) Decide what authority you need and whether a “limited” appointment will suffice

• A limited personal representative (LPR) can be appointed with narrowly defined powers (for example: publish a notice to creditors, collect certain assets, or seek court approval to sell a described parcel of real property).
• If you need to publish a notice to creditors and then sell real estate, you will typically request only the powers necessary: authority to give statutory creditor notice, to collect and manage designated assets, and to petition the court for authority to sell the identified real property (or ask the court to grant sale authority in the appointment order).

3) Prepare the required paperwork

• Common filings include: a Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative or Petition for Limited Appointment (wording and form vary by county), a proposed Order Appointing Limited Personal Representative, an Acceptance of Appointment and any oath, an inventory or list of estate assets you know of, and certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate.
• Identify heirs and interested persons (names and addresses). The court needs this to direct notices.
• If you ask for authority to sell real property, include a description of the property, proposed sale terms (if any), and the reasons sale is necessary.

4) File in the correct county probate court

• File the petition and supporting documents in the district court probate division of the county where the decedent was domiciled. Pay the filing fee unless fee waivers apply.
• The court will set the scope of the appointment and may schedule a hearing. Some counties provide local probate forms — check your county court’s probate division or the Minnesota Judicial Branch forms page: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate/Forms.aspx.

5) Notice to interested persons and publication to creditors

• If the court appoints you with authority to publish a statutory notice to creditors, you must follow the statutory procedure for creditor notice: prepare a notice in the form required by the court, publish it in the approved local newspaper and, when required, also mail notice to known creditors and interested persons. The exact publication and mailing requirements will come from the statute and the court’s order.
• Creditors must file claims within the statutory claim period (the statute and local rules set the period and whether publication starts the clock). Follow the court’s direction carefully so creditors’ claims are controlled.

6) Selling real property — what you must do

• Even with a small-estate or limited appointment, selling real estate nearly always requires explicit court authorization. The court must be satisfied that the sale is necessary and that interested persons have notice and an opportunity to object.
• Typical steps to sell: (a) petition the court for authority to sell the described real property (or include sale authority in your initial limited-appointment request); (b) provide a proposed order approving sale and describing sale terms; (c) give statutory notice to heirs and other interested parties; (d) if required, hold a confirmation hearing; and (e) obtain a court order authorizing sale and directing how proceeds will be handled.
• After court approval, execute documents as the court order directs and record the deed with the county recorder. Use proceeds according to the court order: pay liens, taxes, valid creditor claims, and distribute residuals to heirs as ordered.

7) Bond, accounting, and closing the estate

• The court may require a bond for the limited personal representative or may waive bond by agreement of interested persons. Follow the court’s requirement.
• Keep accurate records and receipts. You may need to file a final accounting or petition to close the estate showing distributions and payment of claims.

8) Practical timing and hearings

• Whether the court will appoint an LPR without an in‑court hearing depends on local practice and whether any interested person objects. Be prepared for a hearing, especially if you request sale authority for real property.
• Allow extra time for publication, creditor claim periods, and any confirmation hearings the court requires.

Helpful checklist — documents and practical items

• Certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate.
• Original will (if any) or statement that none was found.
• Proposed Petition for Appointment (or Affidavit/Small‑Estate form if available in your county).
• Proposed Order Appointing Limited Personal Representative that describes the exact powers requested.
• List of known creditors and addresses.
• List of heirs and their addresses (next of kin list).
• Property description for any real estate (legal description) plus any current mortgage or lien information.
• Proposed notice to creditors and plan for publication (name of newspaper, dates).
• Proof of filing fee or application to waive fees, if applicable.
• Contact information for the county probate clerk and local probate forms.

Practical tips and traps to avoid

• Don’t assume small-estate procedures allow sale of real property without court permission—ask the court to grant specific sale authority.
• Provide accurate addresses for heirs and creditors. Incorrect or missing notices can delay appointment or sale authority.
• Keep careful records of published notices and mailed notices — you will likely need proof for the court.
• Check whether a bond will be required and whether interested persons are willing to waive bond.
• If the decedent had a mortgage or tax liens, these must be addressed in the sale process; a court order does not automatically wipe out liens.

Where to find Minnesota forms and statutes

• Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 524 (Probate Code): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524
• Minnesota Judicial Branch — Small Estates and probate forms: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate/Small-Estates.aspx and https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate/Forms.aspx
• Contact the probate clerk of the district court in the county where the decedent was domiciled for local rules and filing requirements.

When to get legal help

If the estate has real property, potential creditor disputes, unclear heirs, multiple interested parties, tax issues, or claims you expect to be contested, consult a Minnesota attorney experienced in probate. An attorney can draft the petition and proposed orders, advise whether a limited appointment is appropriate, and represent you at any sale or confirmation hearing.