Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 645.45 (2026)

Definitions, Continued

✓ current as of May 2026
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The following words and phrases, when used in any law enacted after the effective date of Laws 1941, chapter 492, section 45, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

(1) "abode" means domicile;

(2) "action" means any proceeding in any court of this state;

(3) "adult" means an individual 18 years of age or over;

(4) "as now provided by law" means a reference to the laws in force at the time the law containing the phrase was finally enacted;

(5) "as provided by law" means a reference to the laws in force at the particular time the law containing the phrase is applied;

(6) "attorney at law" means an individual admitted to practice law by a court of record of this state;

(7) "attorney of record" means an attorney at law who is entered on the docket or record of a court as appearing for or representing a party in a legal proceeding;

(8) "child" or "children" includes children by birth or adoption;

(9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

(10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

(11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

(12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

(13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

(14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

(15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

(16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

(17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

(18) "notary" means a notary public;

(19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

(20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 31 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1945–2023 · leading case: Lucas v. Am. Fam. Mut. Ins. Co., 403 N.W.2d 646 (Minn. 1987).
Lucas v. Am. Fam. Mut. Ins. Co., 403 N.W.2d 646 (Minn. 1987). · cites it 6× “1-201(1) (1986)) encompasses more than court proceedings; and (2) that although “verdict” inherently may connote court proceedings, “report” does not.”
Dahle v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Ins. Co., 352 N.W.2d 397 (Minn. 1984). · cites it 8× “6, and of “child” contained in Minn.Stat. § 645.45 (1982) unequivocally preclude recovery of basic economic loss benefits under the assigned claims plan by Bruce Dahle’s surviving child.”
Auto Owners Ins. Co. v. Perry, 749 N.W.2d 324 (Minn. 2008). · cites it 4× “We then considered the definition of "surviving dependent" in light of the definition of "child or children" found in Minn.Stat. § 645.45, subd. 8 (1982). Id. We concluded that "dependency is a question of fact in situations where dependency is not presumed," before holding that…”
Harrison Ex Rel. Harrison v. Harrison, 733 N.W.2d 451 (Minn. 2007). · cites it 4× “" Minn.Stat. § 645.45(2) (2006) (emphasis added).”
Poehler v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 899 N.W.2d 135 (Minn. 2017). · cites it 2× “” See Minn. Stat. § 645.45 (2) (2016) (defining “action” as “any proceeding in any court of this state”); see also Lucas v.”
Homart Dev. Co. v. Cnty. of Hennepin, 538 N.W.2d 907 (Minn. 1995). · cites it 2× “” Minn.Stat. § 645.45(9) (1994). We are unpersuaded that the context of the statute considered here warrants any departure from such clear legislative intent.”
Ellis v. Doe, 924 N.W.2d 258 (Minn. 2019). · cites it 8× “" Minn. Stat. § 645.45 (2). Because "proceeding" is not defined in the statute, Ellis looks to the third definition of "proceeding" in Black's Law Dictionary to assert that a defense can be an action in itself.”
Kersting v. Royal-Milbank Ins., 456 N.W.2d 270 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 4× ““[Ujnless the context clearly indicates otherwise,” Minn.Stat. § 645.45 (1988), an “ ‘action’ [is] any proceeding in any court of this state.”
Granville v. Minneapolis Pub. Schs., Special Sch. Dist. No. 1, 732 N.W.2d 201 (Minn. 2007). · cites it 2× “” Minn.Stat. § 645.45 (2006). Section 144.148 therefore expired at midnight as June 30 ended, and the expiration provision was repealed at the same instant as July 1 began.”
In Re the Est. of Jotham, 722 N.W.2d 447 (Minn. 2006). · cites it 2× “Minnesota Statutes § 645.45 (2004) provides that the word "action," when used in a statute, means "any proceeding in any court of this state.”
Kulinski v. Medtronic Bio-Medicus, Inc., 577 N.W.2d 499 (Minn. 1998). · cites it 2× “2d 751, 754 (1974) (quoting the common-law definition of "action” as “the prosecution in a court of justice of some demand or assertion of right by one person against another”); see also Minn.Stat. § 645.45(2) (1996) (defining "action” as "any proceeding in any court of this…”
Schoffman Ex Rel. Schoffman v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota, 557 N.W.2d 625 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 4× “§ 529.01(9), which defines "incapacitated" for purposes of the Uniform Custodial Trust Act; (2) Minn.”
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(14) — 1 case
Schoffman Ex Rel. Schoffman v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota, 557 N.W.2d 625 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997). “§ 529.01(9), which defines "incapacitated" for purposes of the Uniform Custodial Trust Act; (2) Minn.”
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(19) — 1 case
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(2) — 9 cases
Harrison Ex Rel. Harrison v. Harrison, 733 N.W.2d 451 (Minn. 2007). “" Minn.Stat. § 645.45(2) (2006) (emphasis added).”
Kulinski v. Medtronic Bio-Medicus, Inc., 577 N.W.2d 499 (Minn. 1998). “2d 751, 754 (1974) (quoting the common-law definition of "action” as “the prosecution in a court of justice of some demand or assertion of right by one person against another”); see also Minn.Stat. § 645.45(2) (1996) (defining "action” as "any proceeding in any court of this…”
Kersting v. Royal-Milbank Ins., 456 N.W.2d 270 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990). ““[Ujnless the context clearly indicates otherwise,” Minn.Stat. § 645.45 (1988), an “ ‘action’ [is] any proceeding in any court of this state.”
Bednarek v. Bednarek, 430 N.W.2d 9 (Minn. Ct. App. 1988).
In Re Wage & Hour Violations of Holly Inn, Inc., 386 N.W.2d 305 (Minn. Ct. App. 1986).
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(20) — 1 case
State Ex Rel. Khalifa v. Russell Dieter Enter., Inc., 418 N.W.2d 202 (Minn. Ct. App. 1988).
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(5) — 1 case
Burnquist v. Cook, 19 N.W.2d 394 (Minn. 1945).
— Minn. Stat. § 645.45(9) — 2 cases
Homart Dev. Co. v. Cnty. of Hennepin, 538 N.W.2d 907 (Minn. 1995). “” Minn.Stat. § 645.45(9) (1994). We are unpersuaded that the context of the statute considered here warrants any departure from such clear legislative intent.”
Boelter v. City of Coon Rapids, 67 F. Supp. 2d 1040 (D. Minnesota 1999).
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