What if Dad has dementia and never signed a power of attorney?
There's still a road — it's just longer and runs through a courtroom. Without a valid POA, no one can sign for him, and Minnesota's answer is a court-appointed conservatorship: a judge names someone (often an adult child) to manage his affairs, and selling the home typically requires the court's involvement. It works, but plan on months rather than weeks, real legal costs, and a process nobody describes as gentle.
One thing worth checking immediately: capacity isn't always all-or-nothing. If your dad has clearer moments and a doctor will support that he understands what he's signing, an elder-law attorney may still be able to put a POA in place — but that window only closes, never reopens. Get the legal consult this week, not this quarter. I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice; this part belongs to one.
The house can wait while you do that. When the paperwork has a path, I'm ready. Just call me.
I wrote this answer, and I stand behind it. I'm Chris Deutsch, a Minneapolis Realtor (MN #20382264). Twenty-five years of walking these neighborhoods, checking basements, and sitting across kitchen tables from people making exactly this call. I re-check every answer and date it — this one was last verified .
If your situation is more specific than the market, that's the one worth talking through. Email me at chris@lakesarearealty.com.