Michigan Informal Estate Proceedings

Today I was opening an Oakland county probate estate, more specifically an informal unsupervised estate.  Informal unsupervised proceedings are generally the norm when opening a probate estate.  This type of estate is generally handled by the probate register with little to no time in front of an actual probate judge.

An informal proceeding is started by a Michigan Probate lawyer filing an Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative, along with the other introductory papers on behalf of the person to be appointed personal representative.  The purpose of the application is to admit the will and appoint a personal representative.

If the application is granted the probate register will sign a form called a Register’s Statement showing formal admitance of the will and appointment of the personal representative.

The appointed personal representative then becomes qualified to act once they have accepted appointment and provided any required bond.  The personal representative then continues along handling and administering the estate along with the aid of a Michigan probate lawyer until the estate is closed.

-Christopher J. Berry, Esq.
Michigan Probate Lawyer