What steps can be taken to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt? (MI)
Detailed Answer Short answer: When a creditor gives a payoff quote for a debt of a deceased person, you should (1) get the quote in writing and ask for a full, itemized account and proof the claimant has a valid claim or assignment; (2) compare the itemization to estate records and any contracts; and (3) […]
Read article →How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case — Michigan (MI)
How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case — Michigan This FAQ-style article explains, in plain language, how to prepare and submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a Michigan small estate case. It assumes no prior legal knowledge. This is educational only and is not legal advice; […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures (MI)
Detailed Answer Short answer: To show asset transfers under Michigan small‑estate procedures you will generally need: the decedent’s death certificate, a properly completed small‑estate affidavit (or other court paperwork if the estate is opened), documents proving ownership of each asset (bank and investment statements, vehicle titles, deeds, account beneficiary or joint‑owner records), records showing the […]
Read article →How do I value collectibles like Pokémon cards when preparing my estate paperwork in MI?
Detailed Answer When you prepare estate paperwork in Michigan and the estate includes collectibles such as Pokémon cards, you must determine a fair market value for each item so the personal representative can inventory the estate accurately and beneficiaries can receive their proper shares. Below is a clear, step‑by‑step approach you can follow even if […]
Read article →What are the legal requirements and process for transferring a decedent’s firearms during probate in Michigan (MI)
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Michigan, firearms that belong to a decedent are estate property and are handled through the probate process (or outside probate if the firearm passed by operation of law). The personal representative (executor/administrator) must secure and inventory the firearms, follow the decedent’s will or Michigan intestacy rules for distribution, and ensure […]
Read article →How to protect life insurance proceeds when there is no named beneficiary from creditor claims in estate administration (MI)
Detailed Answer: Protecting Life Insurance Proceeds When There Is No Named Beneficiary under Michigan Law Overview If a decedent owned a life insurance policy that has no valid named beneficiary, the insurer will typically pay the proceeds to the decedent’s estate. When proceeds become part of the probate estate, they can be subject to creditor […]
Read article →What should I do if an heir refuses to return estate property and the estate is still open — MI
Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a Michigan probate attorney. Detailed Answer — How to get estate property returned while a Michigan probate estate is still open If someone who is an heir, beneficiary, or third party is holding property that belongs to […]
Read article →What options do heirs have when an estate administrator becomes unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets? (MI)
Detailed Answer — What to do when an estate administrator is unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets under Michigan law Short answer: In Michigan, heirs can demand an accounting, ask the probate court to compel distribution, petition to remove or replace the personal representative, seek financial sanctions (surcharge), and request appointment of a special or […]
Read article →How do I apply to be appointed as the personal representative of a deceased relative’s estate in MI?
Overview: How to apply to be appointed as a personal representative under Michigan law Short answer: To be appointed as the personal representative (sometimes called an executor or administrator) of a deceased relative’s estate in Michigan you generally must file an application or petition with the probate court in the county where the decedent lived, […]
Read article →How can heirs petition the court to reopen a closed estate to claim unclaimed assets in Michigan?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Michigan law, heirs and other interested parties may ask a probate court to reopen a closed estate when unclaimed assets surface or an omission arises. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) provides a clear procedure for reopening […]
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