During the 2025 legislative session, Minnesota passed a law that provides a new tool to combat financial exploitation with a Vulnerable Adult (VA) Order For Protection (OFP) for Financial Exploitation which took effect on January 1, 2026.
This new tool can provide immediate relief from financial exploitation for vulnerable adults who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing financial exploitation. The victim or their trusted support person can file a protection order that could freeze accounts to keep funds secure as well as prohibit contact from the offending party. This VA OFP expands who is eligible to file for a protection order and provides a more efficient route to protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.
Who can file:
- A vulnerable adult.
- An agent serving in an official capacity such as guardian, conservator, or power of attorney.
- A person acting on behalf of the victim with their consent.
Indicators to support a petition:
- A report of maltreatment is required.
- Existence of financial exploitation, or the imminent danger of financial exploitation.
- No other adequate legal remedy is available.
Filing process:
- A petition is filed in the jurisdiction of the petitioner or the respondent and all filing fees are waived.
- If granted by the court, a temporary order is in place for 14 days.
- A full hearing must be held before the expiration of the temporary order.
Options for relief with the order:
- No contact of respondent with the vulnerable adult.
- Freeze assets and lines of credit, but maintain payment of living expenses.
- Exclude the respondent from any residence shared with the vulnerable adult.
In August 2025, Jill Sauber of Sauber Legal Services provided an overview of the law and you can watch that here to get a more in-depth review of this order for protection. In addition, the Minnesota Bar Association has a summary from Jill Sauber that you can read here.