Senate passes real property bill updating partition rules, eminent‑domain appeals and transfer‑on‑death deeds

The Minnesota Senate on Feb. 10 passed Senate File 202, a real‑property bill that updates the state’s partition rules, clarifies procedures for eminent‑domain appeals and makes limited retroactive adjustments to transfer‑on‑death deeds. The secretary recorded 62 ayes and 0 nays on third reading; the bill passed and its title was agreed to.

A senator presenting the bill told colleagues the last major revision to the partition statute dated to 1905 and described the changes as a modernization meant to make partition proceedings less costly and more efficient for property owners. The presenter said the bill, sponsored by the Minnesota State Bar Association’s real property section, would among other things allow courts to appoint a single referee instead of the current three and permit a realtor to serve as a referee and…