In Michigan, you may have to probate a loved one’s estate when they owned more than $50,000 or real property and did not distribute it through trusts, beneficiary designations, or other estate planning tools aside from a will. The probate process may seem cumbersome and complex to someone who has never managed an estate. When your loved one’s will appoints you as the executor of their estate, or you need to petition to probate their intestate estate, turn to a probate attorney in Michigan from Alward Fisher. Our experienced professionals are here to walk you through each step and help you fulfill your duties.
The Probate Process in Michigan
You may wonder, “How does probate work in Michigan?” The Michigan probate process involves several stages before a personal representative can distribute inheritances to a decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries and close out the estate.
The steps in the probate process in Michigan include the following:
- Filing a petition with the probate court to admit a decedent’s will to probate or to open an intestate estate (if a decedent did not leave a will)
- Obtaining appointment as the personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) of the estate
- Conducting an inventory of the decedent’s assets in the estate and paying the inventory fee
- Sending notice of probate to potential creditors of the estate, evaluating and paying the decedent’s final debts, and paying estate administration expenses and estate taxes
- Keeping an accounting of the estate to document all transactions taken by the personal representative
- Distributing remaining estate assets to beneficiaries and heirs per the terms of the decedent’s will or state intestacy law
In some cases, probate litigation may be necessary if parties cannot agree on the process. Our firm can also guide you through questions that may arise during the probate process, such as identifying assets exempt from probate and estimating administrative costs.
How Does a Probate Attorney Simplify the Process?
Probate lawyers in Michigan can help smooth out the legal process and reduce the stress of managing a loved one’s estate by:
- Helping you locate a loved one’s will, such as by conducting will searches in safety deposit boxes
- Assisting you with filing the probate petition to admit your loved one’s will to probate or seek appointment as the executor or administrator of their estate
- Explaining your duties as personal representative under Michigan law
- Working with you to inventory estate assets, including obtaining appraisals of complex assets like real estate or business interests
- Advising you with evaluating and paying creditor claims
- Walking you through estate plan provisions to help you distribute the remaining assets to beneficiaries and heirs
- Assisting you with preparing an accounting of the estate to file with beneficiaries/heirs and the court before closing the estate
- Staying abreast of Michigan probate laws to determine whether any changes could affect your matter
Our Michigan Probate Attorneys Are Here for You
When a loved one has passed away, and you need to administer their estate through probate, let the legal team at Alward Fisher guide you through each step and help you understand your rights and obligations as a personal representative of an estate.
Our team of accomplished probate lawyers has over a century of combined legal experience and has earned a reputation for providing families with high-quality legal representation and personalized attention through the complicated process of administering a loved one’s estate.
Contact our law firm today for an initial consultation with a probate attorney in Michigan to learn more about what to expect when pursuing probate.
