Probate Court Records in Swift County

Swift County probate court records are held at the Swift County Courthouse in Benson, Minnesota. The county is part of the Eighth Judicial District. The district court in Benson processes all estate filings, will probate, guardianship cases, and conservatorship documents for Swift County. This page covers how to find those records online, get copies, and understand the basic filing process.

Swift County District Court Probate Division

The Swift County District Court is at 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215. The court's phone number is (320) 843-2744. Court Administrator Lindsay Listul manages court operations. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the courthouse. Swift County is in the Eighth Judicial District.

The court handles all civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, and traffic cases. For probate matters, this means estate filings, will admissions, guardianship appointments, and conservatorship cases all go through the same district court. The clerk's office at the Benson courthouse accepts filings and processes copy requests.

The Swift County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides the court address, phone number, and hours for probate filings in Benson.

Check this page before visiting the Benson courthouse to confirm current hours and any changes to court operations.

Probate Filing Fees in Swift County

Filing the first paper in a Swift County estate, trust, guardianship, or conservatorship case costs $320. This consists of the $310 base fee plus a $10 law library surcharge. Depositing a will for safekeeping before death is $27. Certified copies of probate documents cost $14 each, and uncertified copies are free.

The $10 law library surcharge in Swift County is at the lower end of the range seen across Minnesota counties. Some counties charge $15 for the same surcharge, so Swift County's fees are relatively modest for this type of filing. Bring payment in cash, check, or money order when you visit the courthouse in Benson.

The full fee breakdown is on the Swift County court fee schedule page from the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Review the fee schedule before you file to make sure you have the right amount ready for your probate petition.

How to Search Swift County Probate Records

The best online tool for Swift County probate court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Search by name or case number to find estate cases, guardianship filings, and conservatorship records. The system is free and does not require a login. It shows case status, filing dates, parties, and some documents. MCRO is available at any time and covers cases from recent years.

For older historical records, two paths are available. You can contact the Swift County courthouse directly at (320) 843-2744 and ask the clerk to look up older case files. Alternatively, check the Minnesota Historical Society. MNHS holds probate records from many Minnesota counties including will books and estate case files going back into the 1800s.

If the record you need isn't available online, call ahead before visiting the courthouse. Some older files may need to be pulled from storage and may not be immediately available at the counter.

Types of Probate Cases in Swift County

Estate cases are the most common type of probate matter in Swift County. When someone dies with property to distribute, their estate may need to go through the court process. The clerk's office opens the case, assigns a case number, and files all subsequent documents including the inventory of assets, creditor notices, and the final distribution order. All of these records are part of the public file.

Will records are public once admitted to probate. Anyone can ask for a copy of a will that has been filed and admitted by the court. Guardianship cases involve court orders placing someone under the care of a guardian. This may apply to minors or to adults who can no longer manage their own personal decisions. Conservatorship cases are similar but focus on managing a person's finances. Both require ongoing court involvement, and all filings are part of the public court record in Swift County.

Note: Swift County is one of several western Minnesota counties in the Eighth District. The Willmar Regional Legal Advice Clinic at (320) 403-1051 may be able to help financially eligible clients with probate questions in this area.

Minnesota Probate Statutes and Swift County Cases

Probate in Swift County follows Minnesota Statutes Chapter 524, the same law that applies in every other Minnesota county. The statute covers all phases of estate administration, from the initial petition to the final order. It also governs how guardianships and conservatorships are established and supervised.

Creditor claims are subject to the deadline in section 524.3-803. Creditors have one year from the date of death to file a claim against an estate. After that window closes, most creditor claims are barred. The section 524.3-108 limit on opening a formal probate proceeding runs three years from death. Both timelines matter for heirs, creditors, and anyone involved in a Swift County estate.

The court's probate help page explains the process in simple terms. The Minnesota State Law Library is also available for anyone who needs to look up the full text of a statute or find additional legal information. Both are free public resources.

Filing and Getting Copies of Swift County Probate Documents

To file a probate case in Swift County, bring your completed forms to the courthouse at 301 14th Street N in Benson. Download forms from the Minnesota probate forms page ahead of time. The forms include petitions for informal and formal probate, notice to creditors, asset inventory sheets, and closing documents. Have your filing fee ready when you submit.

To request certified copies, contact the clerk's office at (320) 843-2744. Certified copies cost $14 each. Uncertified copies are free. If you need to request copies by mail, call first to confirm what information to include and how to submit payment. Processing times may vary depending on how many records are needed and whether older files must be retrieved.

Cities in Swift County

Benson is the county seat of Swift County. No cities in Swift County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Swift County is in west-central Minnesota and is surrounded by other Eighth District counties with their own probate courts.