A meaningful new tool to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation

As of January 1, 2026, Minn. Stat. § 609.2334 is now in effect, creating a new civil remedy that allows a petitioner to seek a court order granting protection against financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

This statute fills a critical gap we often see in practice—situations where exploitation is occurring now, criminal prosecution may be uncertain or delayed, and families, fiduciaries, and advocates need immediate, court-ordered relief to stop ongoing harm.

The law authorizes the court to issue injunctive and other equitable relief, including temporary ex parte orders, allowing protections to be tailored to the vulnerable adult’s circumstances. Importantly, this is a civil—not criminal—process, designed to focus on stopping harm and protecting assets rather than punishing conduct.

This remedy may be especially appropriate when there is credible evidence of ongoing or imminent financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and immediate, court-ordered civil relief—such as temporary ex parte protections or tailored injunctive measures—is needed to stop the harm while longer-term solutions are evaluated.

For elder law and estate practitioners, fiduciaries, and advocates, this statute provides:

• a faster path to intervention

• a client-centered remedy focused on prevention

• an additional option alongside reporting, guardianship, conservatorship, or other civil actions.

As with any new statute, implementation will continue to evolve. Still, this law represents a meaningful step forward in Minnesota’s efforts to protect vulnerable adults while preserving dignity, autonomy, and safety.  The court forms that have been developed are available here: https://mncourts.gov/getforms/civil/forms-packet-petition-for-protection-order-against-financial-exploitation-against-a-vulnerable-adult-coming-1126.

Sharing in the spirit of collective learning as we incorporate this important new tool into our advocacy work.