How to Prove the Value of Your Mother’s Vehicles in Michigan Probate

Disclaimer: This is educational information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For decisions that affect the estate, consult a licensed Michigan probate attorney or your local probate court.

Detailed Answer

When a person dies in Michigan and their estate goes through probate, the personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) must identify and account for the decedent’s assets. Vehicles are personal property that must be inventoried and assigned a value as of the date of death. The general legal framework for estates in Michigan is in the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq.; see the Michigan Legislature website for the statute text: MCL 700.1101 et seq.

Below are the practical steps you should follow to prove the fair market value (FMV) of your mother’s vehicles for probate:

1. Determine the valuation date

Use the date of death as the valuation point unless the estate or court directs otherwise. Fair market value means the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for the vehicle on that date.

2. Gather vehicle documents and facts

• Title(s) and registration(s).
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• Mileage reading as near to the date of death as possible (photos of odometer are useful).
• Maintenance records, recent repairs, or accident history (Carfax or similar report).
• Any recent sales offers, dealer appraisals, or listings.
• Loan or lien payoff statements (to show outstanding debt secured by the vehicle).

3. Use multiple valuation sources

Support the value with at least two reliable sources when possible:

• Online vehicle valuation guides: Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), NADA Guides (nadaguides.com), or Edmunds (edmunds.com).
• Comparable private-party listings or recent sale listings in your local market (print or screenshot comparable ads showing make/model/year/options/mileage).
• Dealer trade-in offers or written dealer appraisals dated close to the date of death.
• Independent written appraisals by a certified vehicle appraiser if the vehicle is rare, collectible, or if the estate is contested.

4. Create a valuation file

Assemble a packet for each vehicle that includes:

• Copy of the title and registration.
• VIN, mileage, photos (interior/exterior), and condition notes.
• Printed valuation reports from the sources above showing the inputs you used (mileage, condition, zip code).
• Comparable listings or dealer written offers.
• Any lien payoff information.

5. File the inventory with the probate court

The personal representative must disclose estate assets to the probate court. Michigan’s probate process and forms are handled by local probate courts and by state law (EPIC). Check your county probate court for the required inventory form and local filing procedures. Michigan Courts provides general information at courts.michigan.gov. If the court requires an appraised value or an affidavit, submit the documentation you assembled.

6. Address liens and loans

If a vehicle has a lien or an outstanding loan, the estate should report both the vehicle’s FMV and the payoff amount. The lienholder may have a secured claim against the vehicle and may need to be paid from the estate before title transfers or sale.

7. When to get a professional appraisal

Consider a formal appraisal if any of the following apply:

• The vehicle is high-value, collectible, or unusual.
• Family members disagree about value.
• The estate’s size or the vehicle’s value makes an appraisal cost-effective.

8. If someone contests the value

If heirs or beneficiaries dispute the reported value, the personal representative should be prepared to show the valuation packet and explain the methods used. The probate court can resolve valuation disputes; sometimes the court will order an independent appraisal.

9. Title transfer and sale after probate

After the probate court allows the personal representative to distribute or sell estate property, use the Michigan Secretary of State procedures for transferring a vehicle title from a deceased owner. See the Michigan Secretary of State for specific title transfer rules and forms: michigan.gov/sos. Keep records of any sale or transfer for the estate file and for final accounting to the court.

Helpful Hints

• Start early. Collecting mileage, records, and valuation evidence is easier when you act promptly after the date of death.
• Keep digital and paper copies of all valuation documents and communications with dealers or appraisers.
• Use date-stamped screenshots or printed pages from valuation websites that show the inputs used (zip code, mileage, condition) to justify the number you used.
• If a vehicle is not operable or requires major repair, document the condition thoroughly with photos and repair estimates; this lowers FMV.
• When in doubt, a written dealer offer or independent appraisal carries more weight than a single online estimate.
• Remember to subtract any valid secured debt attached to the vehicle when calculating net value to the estate.
• Check your county probate court’s local forms and deadlines—procedures vary by county. Contact the court clerk with questions about how to file your inventory.
• If you expect disputes, consult a Michigan probate attorney early to avoid costly litigation later.

Useful links:

• Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq.: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-700-1101
• Michigan Courts (probate information): https://www.courts.michigan.gov/
• Michigan Secretary of State (vehicle title transfer): https://www.michigan.gov/sos
• Valuation resources: Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com), NADA Guides (https://www.nadaguides.com), Edmunds (https://www.edmunds.com)

If you want, tell me the vehicle make, model, year, mileage, condition, and whether there’s a loan—I’ll suggest specific valuation steps and which documents to collect for your probate inventory.