Michigan Form PC 51 is the Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate), the single document a family member, nominee, or creditor files with a Michigan probate court to open an estate, admit a will (if any), and ask the judge or register to appoint a personal representative under the Estates and Protected Individuals Code. Filing this form correctly is the first and most important step in moving a deceased person’s assets through probate, and a single missed checkbox can delay appointment by weeks.
PC 51 is approved by the State Court Administrative Office, used in all 83 Michigan probate courts, and current as of the (3/24) revision date printed in the lower-left corner of the official PC 51 PDF. According to the Michigan Probate Judges Association, more than 45,000 estates are opened in Michigan each year, and probate registers report that roughly 1 in 5 PC 51 filings are bounced back for missing heir lists, missing acceptance forms, or unchecked priority boxes.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📜 What PC 51 does, who must file it, and which statute requires it
- 🗂️ Every document, ID number, and date you must gather before opening the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line, box-by-box walkthrough with sample entries and edge cases
- 👨👩👧 Three full filled-out scenarios for a surviving spouse, an adult child, and a creditor nominee
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes, the consequences each one triggers, and 12+ field-level FAQs
What Form PC 51 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 51 is the umbrella petition that opens a decedent’s estate in a Michigan probate court. The petitioner uses it to ask the court to either admit a will to probate, declare the decedent died intestate (without a will), and appoint a personal representative (PR) to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute what remains. The form is governed by MCL 700.3301 for informal proceedings and MCL 700.3402 for formal proceedings, and the Michigan Court Rules MCR 5.302 controls the procedure.
Anyone with priority to serve under MCL 700.3203 can file PC 51. That priority list runs in this order: the person named in the will, the surviving spouse if a devisee, other devisees, the surviving spouse if not a devisee, other heirs, and finally any creditor 42 days after death. A creditor cannot leapfrog a willing spouse or heir, and the register will reject a creditor’s PC 51 filed before the 42-day waiting period.
Filing PC 51 is the legal trigger for the letters of authority that banks, the Secretary of State, and the IRS require before they will release accounts, retitle vehicles, or accept a final return. Without an appointed PR, no one has authority to act for the estate, and statutes of limitation on creditor claims keep running. The consequence of waiting too long is that heirs can lose vehicles to repossession, homes to tax foreclosure, and life insurance disputes to default judgments.
A common misconception is that small estates skip PC 51 entirely. They do not always. Estates under the small-estate threshold (currently $28,000 for 2026 under the SCAO inflation table) can use PC 556 instead, but anything above that floor — or any estate with real estate, lawsuits, or contested heirs — must use PC 51.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling these items together before you open the PDF will save you a return trip to the courthouse. The probate register checks each one against the petition and rejects packets with missing pieces. Build the stack first, then start typing.
- Certified death certificate — required to confirm the decedent’s date and place of death; without it the court cannot establish jurisdiction.
- Original will and any codicils — the original (not a copy) must be deposited with the court under MCL 700.2516; a missing original triggers a lost-will hearing.
- Decedent’s full legal name, last address, date of birth, and Social Security number — the SSN ensures the IRS, SSA, and credit bureaus link the estate to the right person.
- Names, addresses, and ages of every heir or devisee — heirs under 18 require a guardian ad litem, and missing addresses block the 14-day notice required by MCR 5.125.
- Estimated value of real and personal property — drives the inventory fee and tells the court whether bond is needed.
- Petitioner’s mailing address, phone, and email — the court mails letters of authority to this address; a wrong ZIP code delays delivery by a full week.
- Names and addresses of any nominated co-personal representatives — each must sign an acceptance.
- Filing fee of $175 — set by MCL 600.880; without it the clerk will not stamp the petition.
- Bond amount estimate (if required) — equal to the value of personal property plus one year of estimated income.
- Attorney bar number — only if a lawyer is filing for you; pro se filers leave it blank.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable PDF lives on the SCAO forms library. Always pull the form fresh the day you file because SCAO updates revision dates without warning, and registers reject obsolete versions. Download the current PC 51 PDF directly from the Michigan courts website and confirm the (3/24) revision date in the lower-left footer.
Most Michigan probate courts now require electronic filing through MiFILE, the statewide e-filing portal operated by Tyler Technologies. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, and Genesee counties have mandatory e-filing for probate; smaller counties still accept paper. Confirm your county’s status on the MiFILE court list before you drive downtown.
Paper filers can pick up a blank form at the probate court counter or print the SCAO PDF on plain white paper. The form must be printed single-sided, stapled in the upper-left corner, and submitted with the original will (if any) and a certified death certificate. Faxed petitions are not accepted in any Michigan probate court.
A common misconception is that the probate register can hand you a “filled-in template.” Registers are forbidden from giving legal advice under MCR 8.123. They will tell you which boxes are blank but will not tell you which boxes to check.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC 51 Line by Line
The form is a single double-sided page with a caption block at the top, ten numbered items in the body, two signature blocks, and a verification. Work top to bottom, fill every applicable item, and strike a single line through any item that does not apply. Never leave a numbered item blank without a strike-through, because the register reads blanks as oversights.
Caption: Court, County, and File Number
The caption sits at the top of page one and identifies the court that will hold the case. Enter the county name in the box labeled STATE OF MICHIGAN, PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF.
Type the county in all caps (for example, WAYNE). Leave the FILE NO. box blank — the register assigns it when you file. The court’s address goes in the COURT ADDRESS line; pull it from the Michigan court directory.
For example, Maria Lopez opens an estate in Oakland County and writes OAKLAND in the county box and 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341 in the court address line. A nuance: if the decedent owned real estate in more than one county, jurisdiction lies where the decedent was domiciled, not where the property sits. The most common mistake is writing the petitioner’s home county instead of the decedent’s domicile, which forces a venue transfer and resets the 42-day priority clock. A misconception is that “domicile” equals “where they lived last.” It actually means the place the decedent intended as a permanent home, even if they died in a hospital or nursing facility in another county.
Item: Decedent Information Block
The block under the caption asks for the decedent’s full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and last four of the SSN. Enter the name exactly as it appears on the death certificate, including middle names and suffixes.
Use MM/DD/YYYY format for both dates. Write the last four of the SSN as four digits with no dashes. If the decedent used an alias, list it on the a/k/a line.
For example, Marcus J. Whitfield Jr., DOB 04/12/1948, DOD 02/03/2026, SSN xxxx-xx-1234 is the correct format. A nuance: if the death certificate spells the name differently than the will, use the death certificate spelling and attach a sworn statement explaining the discrepancy. The most common mistake is writing the full nine-digit SSN, which violates MCR 1.109(D)(9) and forces the clerk to reject the filing for a privacy violation. A misconception is that the SSN is optional; it is required so the court can match the decedent to SSA death records.
Item 1: Petitioner Identity and Interest
Item 1 asks who you are and why you have standing to file. Check the box that matches your relationship — spouse, child, devisee, creditor, nominee, or other interested person.
Print your full legal name on the Name line, your street address on Address, and your phone on Telephone. If you are filing as a nominee under a will, attach the nomination.
For example, Aisha Whitfield, daughter of decedent, 4521 Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48235, (313) 555-0144. A nuance: a nominated PR who is not also an heir must still check other and write nominee under will dated 06/15/2019 on the blank line. The most common mistake is checking creditor when you are actually a family member who paid the funeral bill, which puts you at the bottom of priority and lets any heir bump you. A misconception is that adult stepchildren count as child; they do not unless they were legally adopted.
Item 2: Decedent’s Date of Death and Domicile
Item 2 confirms the decedent’s date of death and the county of domicile at the time of death. The 42-day priority clock for creditors runs from this date.
Enter the date of death in MM/DD/YYYY format. Then check resident if the decedent lived in the filing county or nonresident if not, and list the county and state of domicile.
For example, 02/03/2026, resident of Oakland County, Michigan. A nuance: if the decedent died in a Florida snowbird condo but kept a Michigan driver’s license, voter registration, and homestead exemption, Michigan is still domicile. The most common mistake is listing the place of death instead of domicile, which sends the case to the wrong court. A misconception is that domicile follows the address on the death certificate; the death certificate often lists the place of death, not domicile.
Item 3: Testate or Intestate Election
Item 3 is the single most important checkbox on the form. Check a if the decedent died with a will, or b if intestate. Sub-boxes under a ask whether the will is self-proved, requires testimony, or is a lost will.
Check only one main box. If checking a, also check the appropriate sub-box for self-proved (signed by two witnesses and a notary), unproved (requires PC 583 testimony), or lost (requires a formal proceeding under MCL 700.3402).
For example, Aisha checks 3a and 3a(i) self-proved because her father’s 2019 will has a notarized self-proving affidavit. A nuance: a will signed before 1979 may not qualify as self-proved even with witness signatures, because the self-proving statute did not yet exist. The most common mistake is checking both a and b, which the register reads as a contradictory petition and bounces. A misconception is that a holographic will (handwritten, unwitnessed) cannot be probated; under MCL 700.2502(2) it can, but it requires testimony and cannot be informally probated.
Item 4: Prior Filings and Other Proceedings
Item 4 asks whether any other probate, conservatorship, guardianship, or trust proceeding involving this decedent is pending or has been completed. Check yes or no.
If yes, list the court, file number, type of proceeding, and disposition on the lines provided. Pull file numbers from Michigan One Court of Justice case search if you do not remember.
For example, Yes — Oakland County Probate, File 2018-345678-CA, conservatorship, terminated 02/03/2026. A nuance: a prior conservator is not automatically the PR; the conservator must still petition under PC 51. The most common mistake is checking no when a prior guardianship existed, which the court catches on its internal docket and treats as a misrepresentation. A misconception is that a revocable living trust counts as a “proceeding”; it does not unless it is being administered by a court.
Item 5: Will and Codicils Filed
Item 5 lists every testamentary instrument being deposited with the petition. Enter the date of the original will and the dates of any codicils, plus the names of the witnesses.
Write each instrument on its own line. Attach the original to the petition; copies are not acceptable for admission to probate.
For example, Will dated 06/15/2019, witnessed by Janet Cole and David Park; codicil dated 11/02/2022, witnessed by same. A nuance: a self-proving affidavit attached to the will counts as part of the will, not a separate codicil. The most common mistake is filing a photocopy because the original cannot be located, which converts the case from informal to formal and adds 60 days. A misconception is that a will stored in a safe deposit box can be retrieved by the petitioner; under MCL 487.14154 only the bank, in the presence of a witness, may open the box to remove a will.
Item 6: Heirs and Devisees
Item 6 is the longest item and lists every heir under intestacy or every devisee under the will. Include name, relationship, age (if minor), and current mailing address.
Use the attachment page if you run out of room. Heirs under 18 must be flagged because they trigger appointment of a guardian ad litem.
For example, Aisha Whitfield, daughter, age 32, 4521 Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48235; Brandon Whitfield, son, age 28, 7700 Maple Rd., Lansing, MI 48910. A nuance: a child born out of wedlock inherits from the father only if paternity was established under MCL 700.2114. The most common mistake is omitting an estranged sibling because “they don’t talk to the family”; the register cross-checks against the death certificate’s informant and against obituary archives. A misconception is that disinherited children are not heirs; under intestacy they always are, and under a will they are still interested persons entitled to notice.
Item 7: Bond
Item 7 asks whether bond should be required, waived, or set in a specific amount. Check the box that matches the will’s bond clause or the heirs’ agreement.
Most wills waive bond. If intestate or if the will is silent, the court sets bond equal to the value of personal property plus one year’s estimated income unless all heirs sign a waiver on PC 570.
For example, Aisha checks “bond is not required by the will” and attaches the will’s Article VII bond waiver. A nuance: even when a will waives bond, the court can still require it if the PR lives out of state or has a felony record. The most common mistake is checking not required without attaching the waiver page, which forces the court to issue a deficiency notice. A misconception is that bond is the same as a homeowner’s insurance bond; it is a surety bond purchased from a bonding company, typically costing 0.5%–1% of the bond amount per year.
Item 8: Priority for Appointment
Item 8 is where you state your priority under MCL 700.3203. Check the single box that matches your status, and list any persons with equal or higher priority who have signed a renunciation on PC 578.
If higher-priority people exist and have not renounced, the petition will be denied. Attach all renunciations to the petition.
For example, Aisha checks “person nominated as personal representative by the will” and attaches her brother Brandon’s PC 578 renunciation. A nuance: a surviving spouse who is also a devisee has the highest non-nominated priority, but the spouse can renounce in favor of an adult child. The most common mistake is filing without renunciations from equal-priority siblings, which the register catches and bounces within 24 hours. A misconception is that “priority” means seniority by age; it is set by statute, not birth order.
Item 9: Supervised vs. Unsupervised Administration
Item 9 asks whether the petitioner wants the estate administered with court supervision (formal) or without (informal). Check one.
Informal administration is faster and cheaper but cannot resolve will contests, lost wills, or disputed heir lists. Formal administration is required when any of those issues exist.
For example, Aisha checks “unsupervised administration” because the will is self-proved and all heirs agree. A nuance: an estate can start informal and convert to formal mid-stream by filing PC 559. The most common mistake is checking supervised by default “to be safe,” which adds court hearings, attorney fees, and 90+ days. A misconception is that supervised administration protects the PR from liability; it does not — the PR is still personally liable for breaches of fiduciary duty under MCL 700.3712.
Item 10: Special Requests
Item 10 is the catch-all for special relief — appointment of a special PR, restricted letters, real estate authority limits, or any other tailored order. Write each request on its own numbered line.
Leave blank if no special relief is needed, but draw a single line through the empty space so the register knows you reviewed it.
For example, Aisha writes “Petitioner requests authority to sell decedent’s residence at 14210 Lasher Rd., Southfield, MI without further court order.” A nuance: requesting unrestricted real estate sale authority in the petition is faster than filing a separate PC 681 later. The most common mistake is asking for relief here that requires its own form, like a determination of heirs (PC 565). A misconception is that the judge will grant whatever you write here; relief outside the statute will be denied even if unopposed.
Signature, Verification, and Attorney Block
The bottom of page two has a verification under MCL 600.1701, the petitioner’s signature, date, and printed name, and an attorney block. Sign in blue or black ink (or apply an electronic signature meeting MCR 1.109(E)).
The verification language states that the petitioner declares under penalty of perjury that the petition is true to the best of their knowledge. The attorney block stays blank for pro se filers.
For example, Aisha signs, dates 05/21/2026, and prints “Aisha N. Whitfield”; the attorney block is left blank with a single diagonal line. A nuance: an electronic signature in MiFILE must use the /s/ Name convention. The most common mistake is signing without dating, which forces a re-file. A misconception is that the verification needs a notary; it does not — the perjury declaration replaces notarization under MCR 1.109(D)(3).
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named filers walk the form end to end. Each table shows what the filer enters in the most consequential sections.
Scenario 1: Aisha, Adult Child Filing Testate (Self-Proved Will)
Aisha Whitfield’s father Marcus died in Oakland County leaving a self-proved 2019 will that names her PR. Her brother Brandon signs PC 578 to renounce.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County | OAKLAND |
| Decedent | Marcus J. Whitfield Jr., DOB 04/12/1948, DOD 02/03/2026 |
| Item 1 (Petitioner) | Aisha N. Whitfield, daughter, 4521 Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48235 |
| Item 2 (Domicile) | Resident of Oakland County |
| Item 3 (Testate) | 3a checked; 3a(i) self-proved checked |
| Item 5 (Will) | Will dated 06/15/2019, witnesses Cole and Park |
| Item 6 (Heirs) | Aisha (32) and Brandon (28), both adult children |
| Item 7 (Bond) | Not required — will waives bond |
| Item 8 (Priority) | Nominated PR; Brandon’s PC 578 attached |
| Item 9 (Admin) | Unsupervised |
| Signature | /s/ Aisha N. Whitfield, 05/21/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet, Surviving Spouse Filing Intestate
Janet Cole’s husband Roy died without a will in Kent County, leaving a house, two cars, and a 401(k). Janet has highest priority as the surviving spouse.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | KENT |
| Decedent | Roy A. Cole, DOB 09/22/1955, DOD 04/15/2026 |
| Item 1 (Petitioner) | Janet M. Cole, spouse, 880 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 |
| Item 2 (Domicile) | Resident of Kent County |
| Item 3 (Intestate) | 3b checked |
| Item 5 (Will) | Struck through — none |
| Item 6 (Heirs) | Janet (spouse) and two adult sons, Eric and Tyler Cole |
| Item 7 (Bond) | Waived — heirs sign PC 570 |
| Item 8 (Priority) | Surviving spouse |
| Item 9 (Admin) | Unsupervised |
| Signature | /s/ Janet M. Cole, 05/21/2026 |
Scenario 3: Carlos, Creditor Nominee After 42-Day Wait
Carlos Mendoza is owed $14,800 by decedent Helen Park. Helen’s only heir, an estranged niece, refuses to file. Carlos waits 43 days and files PC 51 in Wayne County.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| County | WAYNE |
| Decedent | Helen S. Park, DOB 07/30/1942, DOD 04/01/2026 |
| Item 1 (Petitioner) | Carlos R. Mendoza, creditor, 22019 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48124 |
| Item 2 (Domicile) | Resident of Wayne County |
| Item 3 (Intestate) | 3b checked |
| Item 4 (Prior) | None |
| Item 6 (Heirs) | Linda Park-Reyes, niece, address unknown — diligent search attached |
| Item 7 (Bond) | Required, $25,000 |
| Item 8 (Priority) | Creditor under MCL 700.3203(1)(g) — 42 days elapsed |
| Item 9 (Admin) | Supervised |
| Signature | /s/ Carlos R. Mendoza, 05/21/2026 |
Beyond these three, the article references Maria Lopez (Oakland County widow with a small estate), Marcus the bank trustee (corporate fiduciary nominee), and Ravi Patel (out-of-state son filing for an estranged Michigan father) to round out the named-filer set.
How to File the Completed Form
You can file PC 51 online, by mail, or in person. Choose the channel your county allows, gather your packet, and pay the fee at filing.
Online via MiFILE. Upload the signed PDF, the original will (scanned), the certified death certificate, PC 565 (testimony to identify heirs), PC 571 (acceptance), and any renunciations to the MiFILE portal. Pay the $175 filing fee plus a 3% Tyler convenience fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, or e-check. Processing takes 2–5 business days, and your proof of filing is the MiFILE-stamped envelope receipt emailed to you within an hour.
By mail. Send the original signed petition, original will, certified death certificate, $175 check payable to your county probate court (for example, Oakland County Probate Court), and self-addressed stamped envelope to the court’s mailing address listed in the Michigan probate court directory. Processing takes 5–10 business days, and your proof of filing is the date-stamped copy returned in your SASE.
In person. Walk the packet to the probate court counter during business hours (most counties 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed for lunch in smaller counties). Pay by cash, check, or card (a few counties charge a $3 card fee). Processing is same-day for informal petitions, and your proof of filing is the file-stamped copy handed back across the counter.
Fax filings are not accepted. No Michigan probate court will take PC 51 by fax under MCR 1.109(G).
What Happens After You File
Once the register accepts the petition, one of two paths begins. In informal proceedings, the register reviews the packet on the desk, signs the Statement of Informal Probate (PC 569), and issues Letters of Authority for Personal Representative (PC 572) within five business days. You then mail Notice of Appointment and Duties (PC 573) to every heir and devisee within 14 days.
In formal proceedings, the court schedules a hearing 28–42 days out and you publish notice in a county-approved newspaper. At the hearing, the judge takes testimony, resolves objections, and signs the order admitting the will and appointing the PR. Letters of authority issue from the bench that day.
After appointment, the PR has 91 days from the mailing of notice to file the Inventory (PC 577) and pay the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. Creditors then have four months from publication to present claims under MCL 700.3801. The estate must remain open at least five months and typically closes within 7–13 months with a Sworn Statement to Close (PC 591).
A common misconception is that letters of authority never expire. They are valid for one year and must be recertified at the counter for $12 if a bank or title company asks for current letters.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of these errors triggers a specific consequence. Read this list before you sign.
- Checking both 3a (testate) and 3b (intestate) — register rejects the petition as internally contradictory.
- Writing the full nine-digit SSN — clerk redacts and re-files, delaying the case 3–5 days.
- Listing the place of death instead of domicile in Item 2 — case transfers to the correct county and priority clock resets.
- Filing as a creditor before the 42-day wait under MCL 700.3203(1)(g) — petition is dismissed without prejudice, refile required.
- Omitting a known heir from Item 6 — bond is forfeited and the PR can be removed for breach of fiduciary duty.
- Filing a photocopy of the will because the original was lost — case converts to formal lost-will proceeding adding 60+ days.
- Leaving Item 7 blank instead of checking not required with the will attached — register issues deficiency notice.
- Skipping renunciations from equal-priority siblings — petition is denied at the counter.
- Forgetting to attach the certified death certificate — packet bounces; uncertified copies and “informational” copies are not accepted.
- Signing without dating — verification is invalid and the petition must be re-signed.
- Asking for relief in Item 10 that requires its own form (like determination of heirs) — the request is struck without ruling.
- Using an outdated revision of the form — registers compare the footer revision date and reject anything older than the current SCAO version.
Do’s and Don’ts
The shortcuts experienced filers swear by, and the traps that bite first-timers.
Do’s
- Do download a fresh copy of PC 51 the morning you file because SCAO updates revisions silently.
- Do print the death certificate’s exact spelling for the decedent’s name to avoid SSA mismatches.
- Do attach renunciations and acceptance forms in the same packet to avoid deficiency notices.
- Do request unrestricted real estate sale authority in Item 10 when you know the house will sell.
- Do call the probate register the morning of filing to confirm the current filing fee, since counties sometimes add local surcharges.
- Do keep a complete file-stamped copy in a separate folder for banks, the SOS, and the IRS.
Don’ts
- Don’t guess at heir addresses; missing or wrong addresses void the 14-day notice.
- Don’t check supervised administration “to be safe” — it adds months and thousands in fees.
- Don’t hand the original will to a relative for “safekeeping” before filing; deposit it with the court.
- Don’t mail cash for the filing fee; only checks, money orders, or in-person card payments are accepted.
- Don’t use white-out or correction tape on a printed petition; line through and initial instead.
- Don’t sign on behalf of another adult heir; each interested person signs their own renunciation.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
PC 51 is one of the more accessible Michigan probate forms for pro se filers, but the choice depends on your estate’s complexity.
Pros of Filing Pro Se
- Saves $1,500–$5,000 in attorney flat fees for a routine informal estate.
- Keeps you in direct contact with the register, which speeds responses to deficiencies.
- Forces you to read the will and inventory carefully, reducing later disputes.
- Lets you control timing — you file when your packet is ready, not when an attorney’s calendar opens.
- Builds working knowledge for future filings (inventories, accountings, closing statements).
Cons of Filing Pro Se
- A single mis-checked box in Item 3 or 8 can delay appointment by weeks.
- Registers cannot give legal advice under MCR 8.123, so you are on your own for judgment calls.
- Contested heirs, lost wills, or out-of-state real estate quickly outrun a pro se filer’s skill.
- Personal liability for fiduciary breaches under MCL 700.3712 is the same whether or not you have counsel.
- Banks and title companies sometimes drag their feet for unrepresented PRs, slowing asset collection.
FAQs
Do I file PC 51 in the county where the decedent died or where they lived?
No. File in the county of the decedent’s domicile at death, even if death occurred in a hospital or nursing home in another county or state.
Can I file PC 51 before I have the original death certificate?
No. The probate register requires a certified death certificate at filing; an uncertified or “informational” copy will not be accepted.
Is the $175 filing fee waivable for low-income filers?
Yes. Submit MC 20 fee waiver showing income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, and the court may waive or suspend the fee.
Do I write my full SSN in the decedent information block?
No. Enter only the last four digits of the decedent’s Social Security number to comply with MCR 1.109(D)(9) privacy rules.
What do I check in Item 3 if the decedent’s will is handwritten and unwitnessed?
Yes, that is a holographic will. Check 3a and the unproved sub-box, and plan for formal proceedings with PC 583 testimony.
Can I leave Item 4 blank if I don’t know whether prior cases existed?
No. Search Michigan One Court of Justice first; checking no without searching is treated as a misrepresentation.
Do I list disinherited children in Item 6?
Yes. Disinherited children remain interested persons entitled to notice, and the register cross-checks against the death certificate informant.
What goes in Item 7 if my will waives bond but I live out of state?
Yes, you still check not required by will, but expect the judge to require nominal bond anyway because nonresident PRs are higher risk.
Do I need to attach renunciations from minor heirs in Item 8?
No. Minors cannot legally renounce. Instead, the court appoints a guardian ad litem under MCR 5.121 to represent their interest.
Can I check both supervised and unsupervised in Item 9?
No. Pick one. Choosing both forces the register to reject the petition as internally inconsistent.
Is an electronic signature valid on the verification line?
Yes. Use the /s/ Name format under MCR 1.109(E) when filing through MiFILE; wet-ink signatures are required only for paper filings.
Do I need to publish notice if I file informally?
No. Informal proceedings require only mailed notice to interested persons within 14 days; publication is required only in formal proceedings.
How long after filing do I receive Letters of Authority?
Yes, you will receive them — typically within 2–5 business days for informal proceedings and after the formal hearing 28–42 days out for formal proceedings.
Can a creditor file PC 51 on day 30 after death?
No. Creditors must wait the full 42 days under MCL 700.3203(1)(g); earlier filings are dismissed without prejudice.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 593 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 622 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 52 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 634 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 651 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 581 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs