Free Michigan Petition for Probate

In Michigan, the petition asks the Probate Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Authority for Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is available.

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You & the Will

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

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*

Email Address*

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Yes. Michigan publishes Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate) (PC 559), filed with the Probate Court. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

The petition. Letters are issued, never filled out: Probate register issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative after the court grants the petition. The petition asks the Probate Court to admit the will where there is one and to appoint you, and it states who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth.

Beside the petition, the Michigan packet carries: TWO copies of the death certificate (or of alternative documentation of death if no certificate), one of them redacted of protected personal identifying information (MCR 5.302(A)(1); MCL 700.3301, 700.3402); Original will and any codicils, if testate (MCL 700.3301(1)(b)(i), 700.3402(1)(c); MCR 5.302(A)(3)); Testimony to Identify Heirs (PC 565) — mandatory with the commencing application or petition (MCR 5.302(B)). The court's own checklist runs longer for particular cases.

Michigan's court filing fee is $175, paid to the Probate Court when the petition is filed. Publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. The Michigan probate cost calculator sets the fee beside attorney and executor fees.

The Probate Court reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it. Michigan does not require a bond by default, though the court can order one. Probate register then issues the Letters. With Letters in hand the representative opens the estate account, gives creditor notice and collects the assets; the Michigan estate settlement plan carries each step in order.

Opening Probate in Michigan

To settle an estate in Michigan, a personal representative is appointed first, an executor where there is a will and an administrator where there is none, and Letters issue to that person. The application is a petition filed with the Probate Court. The Probate register issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative after the court grants the petition.

Michigan publishes Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate) (PC 559) as the statewide petition; the document is that form, completed from the facts of the decedent, the estate and the heirs or beneficiaries. Signed, it is filed with the Probate Court. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

In Michigan, filed with the petition: TWO copies of the death certificate (or of alternative documentation of death if no certificate), one of them redacted of protected personal identifying information (MCR 5.302(A)(1); MCL 700.3301, 700.3402); Original will and any codicils, if testate (MCL 700.3301(1)(b)(i), 700.3402(1)(c); MCR 5.302(A)(3)); Testimony to Identify Heirs (PC 565) — mandatory with the commencing application or petition (MCR 5.302(B)).

The court filing fee is $175, paid to the Probate Court when the petition is filed; publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. A bond is not required by default; the court can order one. The Probate Court reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it; the Probate register then issues the Letters.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Michigan statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Michigan pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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In Michigan, informal probate is available, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.

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In Michigan, the Probate Court appoints the personal representative and the Probate register issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is available.

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When an estate owes more than it holds, Michigan pays the claims in 9 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.

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Free Michigan Petition for Probate

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Opening Probate in Michigan

Free Michigan Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Michigan

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Small Estate Affidavit

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

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Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Hire a Michigan Probate Attorney

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Michigan Estate Settlement Resources

Free Michigan Petition for Probate

You & the Will