Minnesota lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Minnesota has small claims cases up to $20,000, a 6-year personal injury filing deadline. Clio does not publish a Minnesota rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Minnesota legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $20,000[1][2][3] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | Base fee $65 plus a county law library fee. Examples: Marshall County $75 ($65 + $10); Hennepin County $70. (varies by county)[1][2][3] |
| District Court civil filing fee | Base $310 plus county law library fee (Marshall County $320; Hennepin County $322) for the first paper filed[2] |
| Divorce filing fee | Varies by county: base $340 + $50 other fee + law library fee (Marshall County $400; Hennepin County $402)[2] |
| Personal injury deadline | 6 years for general negligence (Minn. Stat. 541.05 subd.1(5)); intentional torts such as battery have shorter periods under 541.07[4] |
| Attorney fee caps | Workers' compensation, Minn. Stat. 176.081 subd.1: 20% of the first $275,000 of compensation awarded; total fees for the same injury may not exceed $55,000.[5] |
| Average lawyer rate | No Minnesota figure published; national average $349/hour[6] |
What lawyers charge in Minnesota
Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and Minnesota is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[6]. We do not publish an invented Minnesota figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.
Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Minnesota
Small claims cases are heard in the Conciliation Court (District Court). You can ask for up to $20,000[1][2][3]. The limit is $4,000 for claims involving a consumer credit transaction, and other exceptions apply (Minn. Stat. 491A.01).
- Filing fee: Base fee $65 plus a county law library fee. Examples: Marshall County $75 ($65 + $10); Hennepin County $70. Fees vary by county, so confirm with your local clerk.
- Serving the other side: The court administrator mails the summons. Certified mail is required for claims over $2,500 (491A.01 subd.3a). In Hennepin County, eFile & eServe adds a $5 processing fee.
- Court self-help: Minnesota court self-help resources
See how Minnesota compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
District Court: Base $310 plus county law library fee (Marshall County $320; Hennepin County $322) for the first paper filed[2]
Divorce: Varies by county: base $340 + $50 other fee + law library fee (Marshall County $400; Hennepin County $402)[2] Same fee with or without children; summary dissolution is the same in Hennepin County.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 6 years for general negligence (Minn. Stat. 541.05 subd.1(5)); intentional torts such as battery have shorter periods under 541.07[4]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: Workers' compensation, Minn. Stat. 176.081 subd.1: 20% of the first $275,000 of compensation awarded; total fees for the same injury may not exceed $55,000.[5]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for Minnesota; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.
Free and low-cost legal help in Minnesota
- Legal aid: LawHelpMN (Minnesota Legal Services Coalition). Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[7].
- Lawyer referral: MN Find a Lawyer (MSBA directory) and Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service — The referral service is run by the Hennepin and Ramsey County Bars..
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Minnesota?
$20,000, in the Conciliation Court (District Court). The limit is $4,000 for claims involving a consumer credit transaction, and other exceptions apply (Minn. Stat. 491A.01).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Minnesota?
Base fee $65 plus a county law library fee. Examples: Marshall County $75 ($65 + $10); Hennepin County $70. Fees vary by county. Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Minnesota?
Generally 6 years for general negligence (Minn. Stat. 541.05 subd.1(5)); intentional torts such as battery have shorter periods under 541.07. Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Minnesota?
Varies by county: base $340 + $50 other fee + law library fee (Marshall County $400; Hennepin County $402). Same fee with or without children; summary dissolution is the same in Hennepin County. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
Sources
- Minn. Stat. 491A.01 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Minnesota Judicial Branch, Marshall County Fees (checked October 11, 2026)
- Minnesota Judicial Branch, Hennepin County Fees (checked October 11, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 541.05 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 176.081 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)