Michigan Letters Of Authority

It is not legal advice. Verify current requirements with the county probate court, relevant agency, or qualified Michigan counsel before acting.

Michigan letters of authority are the court document a personal representative uses to show authority after appointment. Other states may call similar documents letters testamentary or letters of administration. In Michigan probate, families often see PC 572.

This guide provides general Michigan letters of authority information. Confirm current form, appointment status, and restrictions with the county probate court.

What Letters Of Authority Do

Letters of authority show that the probate court appointed a personal representative. Banks, title companies, vehicle offices, insurers, and other custodians may ask for certified letters before releasing information or property.

Letters do not make every act proper. The personal representative must still follow Michigan law, court limits, the will, creditor rules, and fiduciary duties.

How A Personal Representative Gets Letters

The estate usually needs an application or petition first. Informal probate often uses PC 558. Formal probate often uses PC 559. After appointment, the court can issue letters of authority, commonly PC 572.

The filing path depends on whether the estate is informal, formal, supervised, contested, or limited by a court order. Read Michigan probate court forms before filing.

What Letters May Be Used For

Letters may help the personal representative:

Open an estate bank account
Request account balances
Transfer or sell estate property
Work with title companies
Handle vehicle title issues
Pay valid claims and expenses
Sign estate tax or information documents
Communicate with creditors and beneficiaries

For the broader duty list, read Michigan executor duties.

Restrictions And Expiration Questions

Letters may have restrictions. A court order, supervised administration, bond issue, or limited appointment can affect what the personal representative may do.

Some recipients ask for recently certified letters. If a bank or title company rejects an older copy, ask the probate court how to obtain a fresh certified copy.

Foreign Personal Representatives

If the decedent lived outside Michigan but owned Michigan property, the home-state fiduciary may need to prove authority in Michigan or open a Michigan proceeding. Read Michigan ancillary probate before relying on out-of-state letters.

Records To Keep With Letters

Keep these records together:

Certified death certificate
Original or court-filed will
Appointment order
Letters of authority
Bond information, if required
Inventory and account records
Deeds, titles, and account statements
Receipts and closing documents

For recordkeeping after appointment, use Michigan probate accounting.

Sources:

Title: Letters of Authority for Personal Representative, PC 572. Publisher: Michigan Courts, SCAO. Publication Date: not listed on extracted form text. URL: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/pc572.pdf
Title: Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment, PC 558. Publisher: Michigan Courts, SCAO. Publication Date: not listed on extracted form text. URL: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/pc558.pdf
Title: Petition for Probate and/or Appointment, PC 559. Publisher: Michigan Courts, SCAO. Publication Date: not listed on extracted form text. URL: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/pc559.pdf
Title: MCL 700.3301, Informal probate or appointment proceedings; application. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 14 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-700-3301
Title: MCL 700.3701, Time of accrual of duties and powers of personal representative. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 14 of 2026. URL: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-700-3701

This guide provides general Michigan letters of authority information. Verify appointment terms, certified-copy needs, and court restrictions with the county probate court or Michigan counsel.