Michigan — What Estate Property Expenses Can Be Tracked and Reimbursed Before Sale
What estate property expenses can I track and get reimbursed for before it’s sold? Short answer: Under Michigan law, a personal representative (executor/administrator) may pay and seek reimbursement from the estate for reasonable, necessary expenses incurred to preserve and manage estate property before sale. Typical reimbursable expenses include property insurance, utilities, ordinary repairs (to prevent […]
Read article →How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Michigan
How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Michigan Short answer (FAQ style): To be appointed as an estate administrator (often called a personal representative) or as a co-administrator in Michigan, you must petition the probate court in the decedent’s county, show you have standing under Michigan law, present the decedent’s will (if any), […]
Read article →Michigan: Using Wills, Beneficiary Designations, and Trusts to Avoid Probate
How to keep assets out of probate in Michigan: detailed answer and practical steps Disclaimer This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For tailored legal guidance about your situation, contact a licensed Michigan attorney. Detailed Answer In Michigan, whether an asset goes through probate after someone dies depends on […]
Read article →How to Submit an Original Will to a Michigan Probate Court When You Live Out of State
Detailed Answer — How to submit an original will to a Michigan probate court from out of state If the person who died (the decedent) was domiciled in Michigan when they died, the original will must be offered for probate in the Michigan probate court for the county where the decedent lived. If the decedent’s […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Shares of a Parent’s Michigan House: Process and Practical Steps
Detailed Answer If your goal is to keep your late parent’s Michigan house by buying your siblings’ shares rather than selling the home through probate, you need to follow a few clear steps. Whether you can avoid a full probate sale depends primarily on how the property is titled and whether a personal representative (executor) […]
Read article →Michigan: Can an Estate Recover Money an Heir Withdrew from a Deceased Parent’s Bank Account or Credit Cards?
Detailed Answer: Can the estate recover money withdrawn by an heir after a parent’s death? Short answer: Yes—often. Whether the estate can recover money an heir withdrew after a parent died depends on what kind of account or charge it was, whether the heir had legal authority to act, and whether the money passed to […]
Read article →Michigan: Appointing a Guardian ad Litem for Minor Heirs Before Selling Inherited Land
Do courts appoint a guardian ad litem to protect minor heirs’ interests when estate real property is sold? Short answer: Yes — Michigan courts can appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) or take other protective steps to represent minor heirs’ interests when an estate’s real property is sold. The probate (or sometimes circuit) court decides […]
Read article →Michigan: How to Get Court Approval to Sell an Inherited Home When Co-Owners Include Minors
Steps to Get Court Approval to Sell an Inherited Home When Minors Are Co‑Owners (Michigan) Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. Consult a licensed Michigan probate or real estate attorney and your local probate court about your specific situation. Detailed answer — what generally must happen under Michigan law Selling real property […]
Read article →What to include when filing a year’s allowance petition in Michigan
Filing a year’s allowance petition in Michigan: what to include Short answer: When you file a petition asking a probate court in Michigan for a year’s allowance (sometimes called a family allowance or year’s support), include clear identification of the estate and parties, a precise statement of who is seeking allowance and why, a specific […]
Read article →Michigan: Step-by-Step FAQ on Handling a Parent's Estate
Detailed Answer This section explains the typical steps people follow to settle a parent’s estate in Michigan. It describes common legal and practical actions, the probate process, and options for small estates. This is general information only and not legal advice. 1. Immediate practical steps Obtain certified death certificates. Funeral homes usually order these, but […]
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