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If a person nominated to administer an estate refuses to provide you with asset details or copies of estate records, Minnesota law gives interested persons several practical and court-based ways to get the information needed. This article explains what an “interested person” can request, practical steps to try first, and the court remedies available under Minnesota probate law (Minn. Stat. ch. 524). This is educational information only and not legal advice.

Who counts as an “interested person”?

Typically, interested persons include heirs at law, beneficiaries named in a will, creditors, and others with a property or inheritance stake in the estate. If you expect to inherit, are named in the will, or are otherwise financially affected by the estate, you are likely an interested person and have rights to certain estate information.

What information and documents are you entitled to see?

Under Minnesota’s probate framework, a personal representative must locate estate assets, protect them, and account for their administration. While exact document lists vary by case, interested persons commonly have the right to request and receive copies of:

• The filed will (if any) and petition for probate
• Letters testamentary or letters of administration showing who is appointed
• Inventory or schedules of estate assets
• Accountings and financial statements showing receipts, expenses, and distributions
• Deeds, titles, bank statements, insurance policies, and bills of sale relevant to estate assets
• Any court filings related to the estate

For general background on the probate code, see Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 524: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524. For practical probate guides and how to look up filings, see the Minnesota Judicial Branch probate help pages: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.aspx.

Practical first steps (do these before going to court)

1. Ask informally and document the request. Call or email the proposed administrator and request the information. Follow up with a brief written request (email or letter). Keep copies and dates.
2. Request certified mail delivery. If you do not get a response, send a written demand for documents by certified mail (or other trackable delivery). State that you are an interested person and list the specific documents you want.
3. Check public court records. Many probate petitions, inventories, and letters of appointment are filed with the county probate court and are public. You can inspect filings at the courthouse or through the court’s online docket.
4. Gather your proof of interest. Collect copies of the will (if you have one), correspondence, family tree evidence, or other documents showing your stake. Courts will usually require proof that you are an interested person before ordering disclosures.

Court remedies when informal efforts fail

If the proposed administrator still refuses to produce documents, Minnesota probate courts can compel disclosure and provide other remedies. Common court actions include:

• Motion or petition to compel an accounting or production of records. A beneficiary or interested person can ask the probate court to order the personal representative to provide a formal accounting, inventory, or copies of estate documents.
• Petition to compel discovery or inspection. The court can order the representative to let interested persons inspect or copy relevant estate books and records.
• Petition for temporary or emergency relief. If assets are at risk of loss or dissipation, you can ask the court for expedited relief—such as an order freezing certain assets or requiring immediate disclosure.
• Petition to remove or surcharge the personal representative. If the representative is neglecting duties, hiding assets, or acting improperly, the court can remove them and hold them financially liable (surcharge) for losses caused by misconduct.
• Contempt sanctions. If the court orders disclosure and the administrator disobeys, the court can impose sanctions, including contempt.

The probate code contains the court’s authority to supervise and control administration of estates. See Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 524: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524.

What a court petition usually asks for

A petition to compel disclosure should state who you are, explain your interest in the estate, list the documents you seek, describe your attempts to obtain them informally, and ask the court to order production or an accounting. The court may require notice to the administrator and other interested persons and may hold a hearing.

When to hire a lawyer

Consider hiring an attorney if any of these apply:

• The administrator refuses repeated written demands.
• There is evidence assets are being hidden, sold, or squandered.
• The estate is large or an accounting will be complex.
• You may need to petition the court to compel disclosure, remove the administrator, or seek emergency relief.

Costs and timing

Court petitions can carry filing fees and may require formal service of process. Courts may also award costs against a representative who refuses to comply with disclosure rules. Timing varies: routine accountings and inventories often happen within months of appointment, but contested matters depend on scheduling and court backlog.

Sample short written request you can adapt

“I am an interested person in [Decedent’s] estate. Please provide copies of the following: the filed will, letters of administration/testamentary, the estate inventory, the most recent accountings, and records of bank accounts and real estate titled to the estate. Please respond or provide the documents by [date].” Send this by certified mail and keep proof of delivery.

Where to find more information and forms

Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch probate pages for basic guides and local court contact information: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Probate.aspx. For statutory authority and probate rules, consult Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 524: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524. If you plan to file a petition, contact the probate court clerk in the county where probate is pending for local forms and filing procedures.