Legal Guides
Free step-by-step guides to Minnesota law: eviction, divorce, small claims, LLC formation, expungement, and more. Plain language, no login required.
Step-by-step guides to common legal issues in Minnesota. Each guide explains the law in plain language, walks you through the process, and points you to the forms, deadlines, and free legal help you need.
These guides are legal information, not legal advice. They explain how the law generally works — but every situation is different. If you’re unsure about your specific case, contact a legal aid organization for free help.
Family Law
Housing
Criminal & Court
Employment
Money & Debt
Business & Planning
Adoption in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to adoption in Minnesota, including stepparent, relative, agency, and direct placement adoption types, consent rules, and the legal process.
Child Custody in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to child custody in Minnesota. Learn about legal and physical custody, how courts decide, and how to file for custody.
Child Support in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to child support in Minnesota. Learn how support is calculated, how to file, and how to modify or enforce a child support order.
Commercial Lease Disputes in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding commercial lease issues in Minnesota, including lease terms, disputes with landlords, and legal options for business tenants.
Consumer Protection in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to consumer protection in Minnesota. Learn about scams, fraud, deceptive practices, debt collection limits, wage garnishment protections, and how to fight back.
Contract Disputes in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding and resolving contract disputes in Minnesota, including breach of contract, remedies, and the court process.
Criminal Defense in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to the criminal justice process in Minnesota. Learn about arrest, charges, court hearings, plea options, sentencing, and your rights at every stage.
Criminal Record Expungement in Minnesota
Learn how to seal or expunge a criminal record in Minnesota. Plain-language guide covering eligibility, the step-by-step process, costs, and where to get help.
Defending Against Debt Collection Lawsuits in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding your rights when you are sued for a debt in Minnesota, including common defenses and the court process.
Disability Rights in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to disability rights in Minnesota under the MN Human Rights Act and ADA. Covers employment, housing, public accommodations, reasonable accommodation, and how to file a complaint.
Driver's License and Traffic Tickets in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to traffic tickets, license suspension, revocation, and your rights as a driver in Minnesota.
DUI / DWI Charges in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding DUI and DWI charges in Minnesota, including penalties, license consequences, and the court process.
Filing for Bankruptcy in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding bankruptcy options in Minnesota, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, exemptions, and the filing process.
Foreclosure Defense in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to defending against foreclosure in Minnesota. Learn the process, your rights, redemption periods, and how to keep your home.
Getting a Public Defender in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding your right to a public defender in Minnesota, including eligibility, how to apply, and what to expect.
Getting Divorced in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to the divorce process in Minnesota. Learn the steps, costs, timelines, and where to get help with your divorce.
Getting Your Security Deposit Back in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to Minnesota security deposit law, including your landlord's obligations, deadlines, and how to take action if your deposit is not returned.
Guardianship and Conservatorship in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to guardianship and conservatorship in Minnesota. Learn the process, types, alternatives, annual reporting, and how to protect a loved one.
Harassment Restraining Orders in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to getting a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) in Minnesota. Learn who qualifies, the process, how HROs differ from OFPs, and your rights.
How to Start an LLC in Minnesota
A step-by-step guide to forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Minnesota. Learn the process, costs, and ongoing requirements.
I Was Served Papers — What to Do Next
Identify the type of legal papers you received and learn your deadline to respond, the consequences of not responding, and your first steps.
Immigration Rights and ICE Encounters in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to your rights during immigration enforcement encounters in Minnesota. Learn what to do if ICE comes to your door, stops you on the street, or arrests you or a family member.
Intellectual Property Protection in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to protecting your ideas, brand, and creative work in Minnesota, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and enforcement.
Landlord Duties and Obligations in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to what landlords must do under Minnesota law. Know your rights as a tenant and what your landlord owes you.
Legal Name Change in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to legally changing your name in Minnesota. Covers the court process, required forms, costs, and what to update after your name change.
Orders for Protection (OFP) in Minnesota
How to get an Order for Protection in Minnesota. A plain-language guide to the OFP process, requirements, and what to expect.
Personal Injury and Car Accidents in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to personal injury and car accident claims in Minnesota. Learn about no-fault insurance, PIP benefits, when you can sue, comparative fault, and what to do after an accident.
Probate and Estate Administration in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to the probate process in Minnesota. Learn when probate is needed, how it works step by step, key deadlines, costs, and where to get help.
Public Benefits in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to public benefits in Minnesota including SNAP food assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, MFIP, General Assistance, and SSI/SSDI.
School and Education Law in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to special education rights, IEPs, 504 plans, school discipline, bullying, and truancy in Minnesota.
Small Claims Court (Conciliation Court) in Minnesota
A step-by-step guide to filing and defending a case in Minnesota small claims court (conciliation court). Learn the process, costs, limits, and what to expect.
Tenant Eviction Defense in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to defending against eviction in Minnesota. Learn your rights, the court process, and how to fight back if your landlord tries to remove you.
Tenant Rights for Rental Problems in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to tenant rights when a rental property has serious problems, including repair obligations, rent escrow, and remedies under Minnesota law.
Unemployment Benefits in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to applying for and appealing unemployment benefits in Minnesota, including eligibility, the appeals process, and common issues.
Wage Theft and Unpaid Wages in Minnesota
What to do if your employer has not paid you. A plain-language guide to Minnesota wage theft laws, how to file a complaint, and your rights as a worker.
What to Do If You Missed a Court Date in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to handling a missed court appearance in Minnesota, including bench warrants, how to resolve them, and your legal options.
Wills and Estate Planning in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to making a will in Minnesota. Learn what you need, how to do it, and where to get help.
Workers' Compensation in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to workers' compensation in Minnesota, including how to report an injury, file a claim, and understand your benefits.
Workplace Harassment in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding workplace harassment laws in Minnesota, including sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and how to file a complaint.
Wrongful Termination in Minnesota
A plain-language guide to understanding wrongful termination claims in Minnesota, including at-will employment exceptions, discrimination, retaliation, and how to take action.