How to Validate and Certify a Small Estate Affidavit to Collect Personal Property in Michigan
Disclaimer: This article offers general information and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer In Michigan, you can collect a decedent’s personal property without formal probate if the estate’s total value does not exceed $40,000. You do this by executing an Affidavit of Entitlement to Distribution (commonly called a small estate affidavit). Follow these key […]
Read article →How to Manage and Prioritize Creditor Claims During Estate Administration in Michigan
Detailed Answer When you serve as a personal representative (executor) in a Michigan probate estate, you must identify, notify, and pay creditors before distributing assets to heirs. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) sets strict notice requirements and deadlines. 1. Identify Creditor Claims Within 10 days of appointment, publish a notice to creditors in […]
Read article →How to Initiate the Sale of Estate Property to Satisfy Creditor Claims in Michigan
Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. Detailed Answer When someone dies in Michigan, the personal representative (also known as the executor) must pay valid creditor claims before distributing assets. If the estate lacks sufficient liquid assets, the representative […]
Read article →What options exist for selling or auctioning personal property in Michigan to reimburse estate expenses and equalize distributions among heirs?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney. Detailed Answer Under Michigan’s Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), the personal representative of an estate has authority to sell or auction estate personal property to pay administration expenses and to […]
Read article →What Procedures Ensure Estate Expenses and Creditor Claims Are Addressed Before Distributing Assets to Heirs in MI?
Detailed Answer When administering an estate in Michigan, the personal representative must follow clear procedures to ensure estate expenses and creditor claims are fully addressed before distributing assets to heirs. The Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq., provides the framework. 1. Appointment of a Personal Representative Under MCL 700.3401, the […]
Read article →How is the fair market value of personal property calculated in a probate case in Michigan?
Detailed Answer When a person dies in Michigan, the probate court requires all personal property to be appraised at its fair market value (FMV) as of the date of death. FMV is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree upon, with neither under undue pressure and both having reasonable knowledge […]
Read article →How to Determine Ownership When My Deceased Parent Is the Only Name on the Deed in Michigan
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Michigan attorney for personalized guidance. Detailed Answer When a deed lists only your deceased parent as the owner, the property passed into their estate upon death. You must determine whether your parent left a valid will or died […]
Read article →How Can an Administrator in Michigan Locate and Verify Potential Heirs with Limited Information?
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Michigan for advice on your specific situation. Detailed Answer When a personal representative (administrator) has limited information about potential heirs in Michigan, state law guides the process of locating and verifying beneficiaries. Under […]
Read article →What notice requirements and procedures apply for notifying creditors, including medical debt collectors, in Michigan probate?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Michigan attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer Overview of Creditor Notice in Michigan Probate Under Michigan’s Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), the personal representative (formerly known as executor or administrator) must notify creditors of a […]
Read article →What Documentation Is Needed to Freeze or Secure a Decedent’s Bank Accounts in Michigan When Co-heirs Refuse to Cooperate?
Detailed Answer When a person dies owning funds in a bank account, Michigan law generally requires a court order or official letters to restrict access. If co-heirs refuse to cooperate, you must obtain documentation from the probate court to freeze or secure the decedent’s bank accounts. 1. File a Petition for Probate. Under Michigan Compiled […]
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