Estate • Document Preparation
Michigan Probate Document Preparation
Filing support for Michigan personal representatives and heirs handling informal probate, small estates, and supervised administration paperwork.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Most opening packets prepared in 5–7 business days
- Michigan court-ready formatting
- Step-by-step filing instructions
How Michigan Probate Document Assistance works in Michigan
Michigan probate is administered by the county Probate Court. Informal and formal proceedings use statewide PC-series forms; the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney can explain which procedure applies.
- 1
Estate intake
We collect information about the decedent, will (if any), assets, and proposed personal representative.
- 2
Application or petition
We prepare PC 558 (informal) or PC 559 (formal) plus supporting documents.
- 3
Notice packet
Applicable notices are prepared at your direction, and service is documented on PC 564 Proof of Service.
- 4
Inventory & accounting
PC 577 Inventory and PC 583 Account templates with line-by-line guidance.
- 5
Closing documents
Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration (PC 591) prepared at your direction.
Common forms used for michigan probate document assistance
Michigan probate uses the PC-series of forms maintained by the State Court Administrative Office.
| Form # | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| PC 558 | Application for Informal Probate | Initiates informal probate. |
| PC 559 | Petition for Formal Probate | Used for formal/supervised probate. |
| PC 564 | Proof of Service | Documents how papers were served or mailed. |
| PC 571 | Acceptance of Appointment/Designation | Records a fiduciary's acceptance of the appointment. |
| PC 572 | Letters of Authority for Personal Representative | Court-issued proof of the personal representative's authority. |
| PC 573 | Notice of Appointment and Duties of Personal Representative | Provides notice of the appointment and required duties. |
| PC 577 | Inventory | Lists estate assets within 91 days of appointment. |
| PC 591 | Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration | Used to close an unsupervised estate after required administration. |
| PC 598 | Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets | Presented to an asset holder when every statement on the affidavit is true. |
Form numbers and revisions change. Always confirm with your local court before filing. We help organize and complete the right packet based on the information you provide.
Where to file
File in the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at death.
Typical filing fee
$175 estate opening fee plus inventory fee that scales with the value of the estate (separate from the opening fee).
Service of process basics
Notice to interested persons must be served by mail or personal service within 14 days of appointment (informal) or before the hearing (formal).
What trips people up
- Filing in the wrong county.
- Missing the 91-day inventory deadline.
- Forgetting to publish notice to creditors.
- Not paying the inventory fee separately from the opening fee.
- Distributing assets before the 4-month creditor claim period closes.
What to expect, week by week
- Days 1–7
Open the estate
File application and supporting documents.
- Days 7–14
Letters of Authority issued
Personal Representative appointed and given Letters.
- Within 91 days
Inventory filed
PC 577 Inventory submitted to court.
- Months 4+
Creditor period closes
Four-month creditor claim window expires.
- Months 5–12
Distribute & close
After completing the required administration, PC 591 may be used to close an unsupervised estate.
How Michigan Probate Document Preparation Works in Michigan
Each Michigan county has its own Probate Court that handles decedent estates, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust matters.
Typical filing fees: $175 opening + inventory fee (set by the court, not by us)
- • MCL 700.1101 et seq. is the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC).
- • Small-estate limits are indexed annually; PC 556 and PC 598 have distinct requirements that should be confirmed with the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney.
- • St. Clair County: file at the courthouse in Port Huron; small clerk staff means going early in the day usually means shorter waits.
- • Macomb County: filings are processed at the county complex in Mount Clemens; many local district courts also accept walk-ins.
- • Oakland County: the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac handles most civil and family matters; e-filing through MiFILE is required for many filings.
- • Wayne County: the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit and the 36th District Court each have separate filing windows and rules — confirm before you go.
Procedures and fees vary by county and may change. We prepare documents based on the information you provide; final filing acceptance is determined by the court.
Understanding michigan probate document assistance in Michigan
Most Michigan estates can be handled informally without a judge ever holding a hearing. The work is paperwork: opening, notifying, inventorying, paying claims, and distributing.
Small estate affidavit
PC 598 is presented to an asset holder when every statement on the affidavit is true; PC 556 is the separate court-filed assignment petition. Ask the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney which procedure applies.
Informal vs. formal
Informal and formal probate follow different procedures. Clear Path prepares the procedure the customer requests; the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney should answer which procedure applies.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Statutes, procedures, and court rules change. Clear Path Document Services prepares documents based on the information you provide and is not a law firm.
What's included in your document preparation package
Turnaround: Most opening packets prepared in 5–7 business days • Pricing: $199-$1,295 (court filing fees not included)
- Application or Petition packet
- Notice to Interested Persons templates
- Inventory worksheet and PC 577
- Creditor notice and publication instructions
- Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration (PC 591)
- Distribution worksheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to open probate?+
That depends on the assets, ownership, beneficiary designations, and other facts. Ask the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney; Clear Path does not decide the legal procedure.
How long does Michigan probate take?+
Typically 5–12 months for an uncomplicated informal estate.
Where do I file?+
In the Probate Court of the county where the decedent lived.
What if there's no will?+
Michigan's intestacy statute (MCL 700.2101) controls who inherits.
Can I be the personal representative?+
The court decides appointment under Michigan law. Ask the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney about priority or qualification.
What's the inventory fee?+
A separate fee that scales with estate value, paid when the inventory is filed.
Can I sell the house during probate?+
Authority and required approvals depend on the Letters, the type of administration, and the case. Ask a licensed Michigan attorney before acting; Clear Path can prepare customer-directed paperwork.
What about creditor claims?+
Creditors have 4 months from publication to file claims; you should not distribute before that closes.
Do all heirs have to agree?+
Not in informal probate; if disputes arise the case may be moved to formal.
What about a trust?+
Trust assets pass outside probate. We offer separate trust administration document packages.
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