What Happens to Mortgage Payments and Utilities During Probate in Michigan
Managing Mortgage Payments and Utilities During Probate in Michigan Quick answer: Mortgages and utilities do not pause automatically when someone dies. The property’s mortgage remains a secured debt and utility services can be shut off if bills are not paid. In Michigan, the personal representative (executor/administrator) is responsible for protecting estate property and generally must […]
Read article →Michigan: How to Decide Which Assets to List on a Small‑Estate Affidavit
Detailed Answer — Which assets to list on a Michigan small‑estate affidavit Under Michigan law, a small‑estate affidavit (sometimes used to collect personal property of a deceased person without a full probate) should accurately identify the assets you are trying to collect and the assets that are actually part of the decedent’s probate estate. The […]
Read article →How to find a missing parent as next-of-kin during probate in Michigan
Practical steps to locate a missing parent when you are next-of-kin during probate in Michigan Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. If you need legal advice about probate or serving notice, consult a licensed Michigan probate attorney. Detailed answer — what to do, […]
Read article →Michigan — Do I Need to Include Right-of-Survivorship Assets on a Probate Inventory?
Do I need to include assets that passed by right of survivorship to my mother on the inventory? Short answer: In Michigan, assets that pass automatically by right of survivorship (for example, joint tenancy or a beneficiary/transfer-on-death designation) generally pass outside probate and normally do not belong on the estate inventory filed for the probate […]
Read article →Michigan: How to Check If a Bank Account Falls Under the $20,000 Small‑Estate Limit
How to confirm whether a decedent’s bank account falls under Michigan’s $20,000 small‑estate limit This FAQ explains, in plain language, how to determine whether a deceased person’s bank account (and other personal property) is small enough to use Michigan’s affidavit (small estate) collection process. Short answer Look at the account balance(s) on the date of […]
Read article →How to Use a Small Estate Affidavit in Michigan to Claim a Deceased Parent’s Bank Account
Detailed Answer — Using Michigan’s small estate affidavit to claim a deceased parent’s bank account Disclaimer: This is educational information and not legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Michigan attorney or the local probate court. What a small estate affidavit is (in plain language) An affidavit for collection […]
Read article →Michigan: Do I Need to File a Federal Tax Return for an Estate if No Distributions Were Made?
Federal estate and fiduciary tax filing: key information for Michigan personal representatives Detailed Answer This section explains when a federal return is required for an estate, even if the estate made no distributions from its accounts. There are two different federal filings that commonly concern personal representatives: the federal estate (transfer) tax return (Form 706) […]
Read article →Michigan: How to Move Brokerage Assets into an Estate Checking Account
Detailed Answer — Moving Brokerage Assets into an Estate Checking Account in Michigan This article explains, step by step, how a personal representative (executor or administrator) in Michigan can transfer brokerage assets into an estate checking account so the estate can pay debts, taxes, and distribute assets. This is a general guide only; it is […]
Read article →Michigan: How to Sell a Co‑Owned Property to Cover Funeral and Property Tax Expenses
FAQ: Selling a Co‑Owned Property in Michigan to Pay Funeral and Property Taxes Short answer: First identify how the property is titled. If it’s joint tenancy with right of survivorship, the survivor(s) typically take full title and can sell. If it’s tenants in common or the deceased’s interest must pass through probate, you will usually […]
Read article →Michigan — How to Find Out Where Sale Proceeds from a Parent’s House Will Go
Detailed Answer — Where will the sale proceeds from my dad’s house go? Short answer: It depends on who legally owned the house and whether the house is being sold as part of your dad’s estate in probate, sold by a surviving joint owner, or passed outside probate via a beneficiary designation or transfer-on-death instrument. […]
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