Free Michigan Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Michigan: petition the Probate Court and request Letters of Authority for Personal Representative. MCL 700.3301-700.3311.

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You & the Will

Michigan provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Probate Petitions

In Michigan, you file a petition with Probate Court to open probate. Probate register issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Michigan.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Michigan.

Yes. Michigan publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Probate Court.

Michigan offers probate e-filing. MiFILE statewide e-filing is rolled out court-by-court; probate e-filing availability and any local mandate vary by county. Once a court is live, attorneys must e-file; a self-represented filer is not required to e-file unless that particular court mandates it, so paper filing generally remains open to a pro se petitioner. Check the specific probate court.

Along with the petition, Michigan typically requires: Certified copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils, if testate; Testimony to Identify Heirs; Acceptance of Appointment; Notice of Appointment and Duties of Personal Representative.

Opening Probate in Michigan

To settle an estate in Michigan, the court must first appoint a personal representative — an executor when there is a will, an administrator when there is none — and issue Letters. You apply by filing a petition with Probate Court; Probate register (informal appointment) or probate judge (formal appointment); the court issues Letters of Authority (PC 572) after the representative accepts and qualifies issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative once the court grants it.

Michigan publishes an official statewide petition form. This tool completes that form for you from a few questions about the decedent, the estate, and the heirs or beneficiaries. After downloading, you sign it and file it with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Michigan does not require a bond by default before Letters issue. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Probate Petitions

Yes. Michigan publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Probate Court.

Opening Probate in Michigan

Free Michigan Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Probate Petitions