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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationMichigan

Probate in Michigan

What Michigan’s own law and courts say about probate, from how an estate comes before the court to when creditors must claim. Nothing on this page decides whether a particular estate needs probate. That question belongs to the court, or to an attorney in Michigan.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

The free first-week checklist

Pages taken from the planner, by email: who to phone first, and a blank records sheet.

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

The court’s exclusive jurisdiction over settling an estate, and the county it belongs in

The court has exclusive legal and equitable jurisdiction of all of the following:

(a) A matter that relates to the settlement of a deceased individual's estate, whether testate or intestate, who was at the time of death domiciled in the county

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.1302(a)

The published notice to creditors, and how long they have after it

upon appointment a personal representative shall publish, and a special personal representative may publish, a notice as provided by supreme court rule notifying estate creditors to present their claims within 4 months after the date of the notice's publication or be forever barred.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.3801(1)

The limit on claims when no notice to creditors was given

(c) If the notice requirements of section 3801 or 7608 have not been met, within 3 years after the decedent's death.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.3803(1)(c)

What the person holding the will must do, how to send it, and the liability for neglect

A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering it personally or by sending it properly addressed by registered mail. A person who neglects to perform this duty without reasonable cause is liable for damages that are sustained by the neglect.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2516

Depositing a will with the court during life: the sealed wrapper, and the certificate of deposit

(1) A will in writing that is enclosed in a sealed wrapper, on which is endorsed the testator's name, place of residence, … may be deposited by the individual making the will, or by a person for him or her, with the court in the county where the testator resides. The court shall receive and safely keep the will and give a certificate of the deposit of the will.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2515(1)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

The court has exclusive legal and equitable jurisdiction of all of the following:

(a) A matter that relates to the settlement of a deceased individual's estate, whether testate or intestate, who was at the time of death domiciled in the county

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.1302(a)

upon appointment a personal representative shall publish, and a special personal representative may publish, a notice as provided by supreme court rule notifying estate creditors to present their claims within 4 months after the date of the notice's publication or be forever barred.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.3801(1)

(c) If the notice requirements of section 3801 or 7608 have not been met, within 3 years after the decedent's death.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.3803(1)(c)

A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering it personally or by sending it properly addressed by registered mail. A person who neglects to perform this duty without reasonable cause is liable for damages that are sustained by the neglect.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2516

A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering it personally or by sending it properly addressed by registered mail. A person who neglects to perform this duty without reasonable cause is liable for damages that are sustained by the neglect.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2516

(1) A will in writing that is enclosed in a sealed wrapper, on which is endorsed the testator's name, place of residence, … may be deposited by the individual making the will, or by a person for him or her, with the court in the county where the testator resides. The court shall receive and safely keep the will and give a certificate of the deposit of the will.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2515(1)

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.

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