1Immediate Actions
The first days
First: Get Death Certificates
Required for everythingLenawee County Clerk - Vital Records
Office info
Secure the Property
- Lock the residence and secure valuable items
- Forward mail to a responsible family member
- Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)
Locate Important Documents
2Required by Law
Legal duties
Deposit the Will
A custodian or person having possession or care of a will or codicil must forward it to the court with reasonable promptness after the testator dies. (MCL 700.2516)
Creditor claim window
Creditors generally have 4 months from date of publication of notice to creditors to bring claims against the estate. (MCL 700.3801)
Notify Key Parties
- Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
- Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
- Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits
3Assess Your Situation
Before filing anything
Which probate type is right for you?
Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Michigan small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.
Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for testate probate. If no will exists, it's intestate administration.
Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require probate court administration.
Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.
Which applies to your situation?
Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.
Successor sworn statement route for collecting certain personal property after 28 days when no personal representative appointment is pending or granted.
- At least 28 days since death
- No Michigan real property in the estate
- No pending or granted personal representative appointment
- Successor identifies other persons entitled to estate shares
- Qualifies:
- No Michigan real property and estate value not exceeding $53,000 (2026 deaths), subject to statutory adjustment rules
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
- PC 598 Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent
- Certified death certificate or copy requested by the holder of the property
- Description and value of the property to be collected
- Successor and other entitled-person information requested by the form
- Confirmation that the estate has no Michigan real property and no pending or granted personal representative appointment
Summary administrative proceedings may be available when estate value is limited to priority allowances, costs, expenses, and charges described by statute.
- Open an estate and obtain court authority where required
- Confirm the estate meets Michigan summary administration criteria
- Pay or account for priority allowances, costs, expenses, and charges before closing
- Qualifies:
- Smaller estates that meet the state limit
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Court-supervised Michigan probate proceeding for estates requiring adjudication, formal appointment, or dispute resolution.
- File SCAO petition packet
- Provide certified death certificate and original will if applicable
- Serve interested persons under Michigan court rules
- Qualifies:
- Estate over thresholds or complex situations
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
- PC 559 Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative
- Certified death certificate
- Original will or codicil, if one exists
- Interested-person names and addresses
- Hearing notice, waiver, or proof-of-service materials required by the county probate court
Registrar-handled Michigan probate and appointment route when statutory requirements are met and no formal adjudication is required.
- File SCAO application packet
- Provide certified death certificate and original will if applicable
- Give required notices or waivers
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
- PC 558 Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative
- Certified death certificate
- Original will or codicil, if one exists
- Interested-person names and addresses
- Notice, waiver, or proof-of-service materials required by the county probate court
Small-estate court order route to assign estate property to a surviving spouse or heirs when the statutory value test is met.
- File petition/order packet with county probate court
- Show funeral and burial expense payment or unpaid expenses
- Show estate value within statutory limit
- Qualifies:
- $53,000 or less (2026 deaths) after funeral and burial expenses, subject to statutory adjustment rules
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
- PC 556 Petition and Order for Assignment
- Certified death certificate
- Funeral and burial expense information
- Estate asset and lien information
- Heir, surviving-spouse, or minor-child information requested by the form and county court
After 28 days, a successor may use a sworn statement to collect certain personal property when no probate appointment is pending or granted.
- At least 28 days have elapsed since death
- Estate does not include real property
- No application or petition for personal representative appointment is pending or granted in any jurisdiction
- Successor identifies other persons entitled to shares of the property
- Qualifies:
- No Michigan real property and entire estate value (net of liens and encumbrances) not exceeding $53,000 for 2026 deaths; the statutory base figure is adjusted annually for inflation under MCL 700.1210, so confirm the current amount for the date of death
- Attorney:
- not required by law, though many families use one
4File for Probate
Where to file, forms & fees
Where to File
Free Filing Help Available
Michigan Legal Help can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.
Visit Self-Help Center