Informal Estate
Informal Estate Proceedings
Informal Estate proceedings are commenced by filing PC558 Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate) and other necessary documents. To complete the Petition form MC97 Personal Identifying Information will also need to be filed. This document is confidential and for court use only. The Application is for the Probate Register to admit the original will, if any, to probate and/or appoint a personal representative. If the Application is granted, the Register will sign a form called Register's Statement PC568 admitting the will and/or appointing a personal representative. An appointed personal representative becomes qualified to act by filing an Acceptance of Appointment PC571 and any required bond. To complete the Acceptance of Appointment the MC97A Addendum to Personal Identifying Information will also need to be filed. The personal representative will proceed with unsupervised administration until the estate is closed (unless the judge orders that the estate becomes "supervised" following a petition requesting supervised administration).
INITIALLY: $175.00 FILING FEE
Forms needed to open file
PC558 Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative
MC97 Personal Identifying Information will also need to be filed to complete the Application. This document is confidential and for court use only.
Copy of death certificate
PC565 Testimony to identify Heirs – Must be notarized or signed in front of a deputy register at the court.
PC566 Supplemental Testimony to Identify Heirs (if a devisee is not an Heir) - Must be notarized or signed in front of a deputy register at the court.
PC567 Renunciation of Right to Appointment, Nomination of Personal Representative and Waiver of Notice (if needed)
PC568 Register’s Statement
Original Last Will and Testament (if the decedent had one)
PC571 Acceptance of Appointment and PC570 Bond if required by the Will
MC97A Addendum to Personal Identifying Information is needed to complete the Acceptance of Appointment
PC572 Letters of Authority - $12 for each certified copy
DURING ADMINISTRATION
PC574 Notice to Creditors, Decedent’s Estate, if applicable. This form to be filed with the local newspaper. (Copy of affidavit of publication to be sent to the court.)
Claims period is 4 months
PC577E Inventory - to be filed within 91 days. Inventory fee paid (based on the value of the inventory)
PC573 Notice of Appointment of Duties
PC576 Notice regarding Attorney Fees (if an attorney has been retained)
PC618 Personal Representative Notice to Friend of the Court
Address for Friend of the Court is: 100 East State Street, Ste 4100, St. Johns, MI 48879
PC587 Notice of Continued Administration – due annually if the estate is open for more than 1 year
Inventory fee is due prior to Sworn Statement to Close or at the time of filing your Notice of Continued Administration
TO CLOSE THE ESTATE – submit the following documents together
PC591 Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration – this form must be notarized. There is a 28 day grace period for objections.
PC592 Certification of Completion – to be submitted with Sworn Statement to Close
NOTE: The sworn statement to close unsupervised administration will not be accepted until all of the above forms have been filed with the court and fees paid.
Please note that Clinton County Probate Court is prohibited by law from giving legal advice on any of the above proceedings other than to answer your specific questions regarding filing requirements. You should consult with an attorney if you have specific legal questions regarding which method of administration to use given your specific circumstances. MCL 700.1211