MINNESOTA COURT RULES

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Rule 25.Substitution of Parties

25.01Death

(a) If a party dies and the claim is not extinguished or barred, the court may order substitution of the proper parties. The motion for substitution may be made by the successors or representatives of the deceased party or by any party and, together with the notice of hearing, shall be served on the parties as provided in Rule 5 and upon persons not parties in the manner provided in Rule 4 for the service of process.

(b) In the event of the death of one or more of the plaintiffs or of one or more of the defendants in an action in which the right sought to be enforced survives only to the surviving plaintiffs or only against the surviving defendants, the action does not abate. The death shall be indicated upon the record and the action shall proceed in favor of or against the surviving parties.

25.02Incompetency

If a party becomes incompetent, the action shall not abate because of the disability, and the court upon motion served as provided in Rule 25.01 may allow it to be continued by or against the party's representative.

25.03Transfer of Interest

In case of any transfer of interest, the action may be continued by or against the original party, unless the court upon motion directs the person to whom the interest is transferred to be substituted in the action or joined with the original party. Service of this motion shall be made as provided in Rule 25.01.

25.04Public Officers; Death or Separation from Office

When any public officer is a party to an action and during its pendency dies, resigns, or otherwise ceases to hold office, the action may be continued and maintained by or against the officer's successor if it is satisfactorily shown to the court that there is a substantial need for so continuing and maintaining it. Substitution pursuant to this rule may be made when it is shown by supplemental pleading that the successor of any officer adopts or continues or threatens to adopt or continue the action of the officer's predecessor. Before a substitution is made, the party or officer to be affected, unless expressly assenting thereto, shall be given reasonable notice of the application therefor and accorded an opportunity to object.