Ramsey County, MN Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for Ramsey County, MN Consumers

Minnesota Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Minnesota PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Ramsey County: Key information about your local probate court (Probate Court in Minnesota) for Ramsey County.
• How Probate Works in Minnesota: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Ramsey County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Minnesota Probate Forms and the
    • Minnesota State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Minnesota: Learn how to use Minnesota's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Minnesota, you can use an Affidavit if the entire probate estate is less than $75,000, including the contents of any safe deposit box, less liens and encumbrances. (This excludes the value of all joint tenancy property and other assets that pass by beneficiary designation, such as life insurance and transfer on death accounts.) There is a 30-day waiting period.

    Minn. Stat. 5243-1201.

    The court can order an estate closed without further proceedings if it determines that no property is subject to creditor's claims (because it has already been set aside as exempt or for the spouse and children).

    Minn. Stat. 5243-1203.

     

• Minnesota Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Massachusetts imposes an estate tax on property owned in Massachusetts. If you are inheriting property from the state of Massachusetts, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $3,000,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Minnesota. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Minnesota Wage & Hour Law

• Minnesota Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Minnesota is $10.85 an hour; for employers with annual sales volume of less than $500,000, the state minimum wage is $8.85 an hour. Because both of these rates are higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Minnesota must be paid at least $10.85 or $8.85 an hour, depending on their employer's sales. 

    Ramsey County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Ramsey County is $10.85 an hour, the state minimum wage. To find out if Ramsey County has passed its own minimum wage law, visit https://www.ramseycounty.us/.

    Saint Paul Minimum Wage

    The current minimum wage in Saint Paul is $15.57 an hour for those who work for an employer with more than 10,000 employees; $15 an hour for those who work for an employer with 101 to 10,000 employees; $13 for those who work for an employer with 6 to 100 employees; and $11.50 for those who work for the smallest businesses (those with five or fewer employees).

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Minnesota and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Minnesota. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Minnesota.

  • The tipped minimum wage in Minnesota is the same as the regular minimum wage: $10.85 an hour. Tips don't count against the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage. 

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Ramsey County, Minnesota (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Minnesota BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Minnesota law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Minnesota?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions are available.

  • Minnesota Homestead Exemption

    • Home and land on which it is situated to $480,000; if homestead is used for agricultural purposes, $1,120,000; cannot exceed 1/2 acre in city, 160 acres elsewhere (husband & wife may not double)

  • Minnesota Vehicle Exemption

    • $5,200 (up to $52,000 if vehicle has been modified for disability) (adjusted for inflation July 1, 2022)

• Minnesota BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Minnesota Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Minnesota: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $31 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $820 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Minnesota, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Minnesota.
  • Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Unemployment Insurance Program 
    • 877-898-9090
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In Minnesota, Ramsey County, Saint Paul 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Ramsey County, MN.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Minnesota Voter Registration Status: https://mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/voterstatuscheck/index
• Gerrymandering in Minnesota: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in Ramsey County, MN

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • LawHelpMN.org 

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