Michigan Small Estate Affidavit Preparation
Michigan offers a non-court affidavit (PC 598) and a separate court assignment petition (PC 556) for qualifying small estates. We prepare the form you request after you confirm the procedure.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer
Quick Answer
Michigan has two distinct small-estate procedures. PC 598 is an affidavit presented to an asset holder after the statutory waiting period; it is not filed as an assignment petition. PC 556 is the Petition and Order for Assignment filed with the probate court. The customer, probate register, or licensed attorney must identify which procedure applies before Clear Path prepares the requested form.
Who qualifies for this service?
This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.
- The statements on the current PC 598 or PC 556 accurately describe the estate.
- For PC 598, more than 28 days have passed and no Michigan real property is included in the estate.
- For PC 598, no personal representative has been appointed and no appointment or assignment request is pending.
- The probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney has answered any question about the applicable procedure, threshold, successors, or shares.
How the process works
Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.
Procedure Identified
You tell us whether you are requesting PC 598 or PC 556 after checking the current requirements with the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney.
Intake
Send us the death certificate, funeral receipt, and asset list.
Document Preparation
At your direction, we prepare either PC 598 or the PC 556 Petition and Order for Assignment.
Review & Sign
You review, sign, and have the affidavit notarized.
Delivery or Filing
PC 598 is presented to the asset holder; PC 556 is filed with the probate court. We provide administrative instructions for the form you requested.
Paperwork we organize for you
Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.
Documents and information you'll need
- Certified death certificate
- Funeral and burial expense receipts
- List of all assets with values (bank, vehicles, personal property)
- Will, if any
- Names and addresses of all heirs
- Your government-issued photo ID
Common mistakes to avoid
Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.
- Filing too soon — wait at least 28 days after death.
- Including real estate in the affidavit — real property requires full probate or a deed-based transfer.
- Applying the wrong statutory calculation or annual threshold to the requested form.
- Trying to determine successors or shares without legal guidance when inheritance rights are unclear.
What you can expect to pay
Michigan probate court filing fee for small estates is typically $25; certified copies are extra and paid directly to the court.
Affidavit Only
$199
PC 598 affidavit preparation and notarization checklist.
Affidavit + Assignment
$349
PC 598 plus PC 556 when the customer has confirmed both are requested.
Complete Small Estate
$495
All forms plus heir worksheet, asset collection letters, and county filing instructions.
Court filing fees, recording fees, publication costs, and government charges are separate and paid directly to the court or agency.
Nothing is purchased online. We review every matter first, then send you a written quote — you decide whether to proceed before any payment is due.
Local Michigan considerations
Michigan's small-estate thresholds are adjusted annually. The applicable statute and calculation differ between PC 556 and PC 598. Clear Path does not determine qualification; confirm the current requirements with the probate register or a licensed Michigan attorney before directing us to prepare a form.
Key Terms
- PC 598
- Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent — Michigan's small-estate form for collecting personal property without probate.
- PC 556
- Petition and Order for Assignment — the court-filed small-estate assignment form.
- Intestate Succession
- Michigan inheritance rules that may apply when there is no valid will. Clear Path does not determine heirs or shares.
People Also Ask
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Ready to get your paperwork started?
Start the guided intake, or call or text us — we review every matter before quoting a price, and nothing is purchased online.