Minnesota · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Minnesota: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Minnesota, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Minnesota

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for: $20,000
Court: Conciliation Court
Filing fee: $65
Lawyers: Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Minnesota

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit: 21 days (5 if condemned)
Security deposit limit: No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent: 14 days
Notice before the landlord enters: 24 hours

Cities with their own rules: Minneapolis · St. Paul

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Minnesota

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Minimum wage (2026): $11.41
Final paycheck if fired: See the rules
Deadline to file a wage claim: 2 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Minnesota

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period: 24 months
What makes it a lemon: 4 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 business days
Covers used cars: Yes
Before you sue: Required

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Minnesota

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal: Apr 30 (Tax Court); boards Apr–Jun
Where you appeal first: Local or County Board of Appeal and Equalization
Median effective tax rate: 1.02%
Median yearly tax on a home: $3,357

VariesThe local and county board window for the 2026 assessment closed in June 2026. You can still file a Minnesota Tax Court petition for that assessment (taxes payable in 2027) until April 30, 2027. The next board window opens April 1, 2027, for values set as of January 2, 2027. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Minnesota

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption: $38,000
Homestead deadline: December 31
Senior break: Yes
Disabled veterans: $300,000

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Minnesota

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search: Minnesota Unclaimed Property
Held by the state: See the guide
Cost to search and claim: Free
On MissingMoney.com: Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Minnesota

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file: 180 days
Waiting period: No set waiting period
Filing fee: $340

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Minnesota

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Minnesota
Topic	Deadline or time limit	Rule	Guide
Small claims court	Deadline to sue: written contract	6 years	Small Claims Map
Small claims court	Deadline to sue: verbal agreement	6 years	Small Claims Map
Small claims court	Deadline to sue: property damage	6 years	Small Claims Map
Renters' rights	Deadline to return a deposit	21 days (5 if condemned)	Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rights	Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent	14 days	Tenant Rights Map
Unpaid wages	Deadline to file a wage claim	2 years	Wage Claim Map
Unpaid wages	Final paycheck if fired	See the rules	Wage Claim Map
Lemon law	Lemon law period	24 months	Lemon Car Map
Lemon law	Deadline	You must sue within 3 years of original delivery; if you applied to the manufacturer's arbitration program within those 3 years and are unhappy with the decision, you must sue within 6 months after the final arbitration decision (Minn. Stat. § 325F.665, subd. 10).	Lemon Car Map
Property tax appeals	Deadline to appeal	Apr 30 (Tax Court); boards Apr–Jun	Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptions	Homestead deadline	December 31	Exemption Map
Unclaimed money	Deadline to claim	See the guide	Owed Map
Divorce	Residency before you can file	180 days	Divorce Law Map
Divorce	Waiting period	No set waiting period	Divorce Law Map

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Legal help in Minnesota: get back what you're owed

Small claims court in Minnesota

Renters' rights in Minnesota

Unpaid wages in Minnesota

Lemon law in Minnesota

Property tax appeals in Minnesota

Property tax exemptions in Minnesota

Unclaimed money in Minnesota

Divorce in Minnesota

Deadlines at a glance in Minnesota

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