In Minnesota, there is a form called an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (Form PRO202). It lets a person’s heir collect things like bank accounts, vehicles and other personal items from the person’s estate after they die without having to go to probate court- but only if certain rules are followed.

When You Can Use the Affidavit:

You can use the affidavit only if all of these are true:

The total value of the person’s probate estate is less than $75,000.
The probate estate does not include any real estate like houses, land or other buildings.
You are someone who is legally allowed to use the affidavit:
- If there is a will: you are named in it as someone who gets the person’s property
- If there is no will: you are an heir who gets the person’s property under Minnesota intestate law
There is no court case (probate) started for the estate.

How To Use the Affidavit:

You have to wait 30 days after the person dies before you can use the affidavit.
Get the affidavit form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website or the county probate court.
Fill out the affidavit with information about the person who died, their property, and yourself.
Get a certified copy of the person’s death certificate and other needed documents for the property involved, like a vehicle title or account information.
Sign the affidavit in front of a notary and have them notarize- it.
Bring the affidavit and other needed documents to the person or place that has the property- like a bank.

Can I Use the Affidavit to Transfer a Vehicle Title?

Yes, you can transfer ownership of a vehicle this way when the estate does not otherwise have to go through probate. Go to a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office and bring:

A copy of the vehicle title
The certified death certificate
The Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property

If you are the person’s surviving spouse, you can use a different form called the Assignment of a Vehicle to a Surviving Spouse (Form PS2071-10) instead of the affidavit.

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