MN HF3970

Allows unmarried victims of domestic abuse, criminal sexual assault, sexual extortion, or harassment to petition a court to extinguish their abuser's joint interest in a contract for deed for residential property

Requires the petitioner to serve notice on both the respondent (perpetrator) and the property vendor, who then have 90 days to contest the petition

Court must grant the petition if uncontested, or if the petitioner proves by preponderance of evidence: (1) they were subjected to abuse by the respondent, (2) the respondent has not physically occupied the property for six consecutive months, and (3) the respondent made no payments during that six-month period

Qualifying documentation includes valid orders for protection, no-contact orders, writings from court or law enforcement officials, or statements from licensed health care professionals, domestic abuse advocates, or sexual assault counselors

Effective August 1, 2027, for petitions filed on or after that date, applying to all contracts for deed regardless of when entered into