Michigan Form PC 558, titled Petition and Order for Assignment, is the one-page probate court document that lets an heir or surviving spouse transfer a deceased person’s small estate without opening a full probate case. It is filed in the probate court of the county where the decedent lived under MCL 700.3982, Michigan’s small estate statute, and it is approved by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).
If you skip a box, miscalculate the estate cap, or forget the certified death certificate, the court can reject the petition the same day you bring it in, forcing you to refile, pay again, and wait weeks more before you can touch the money. According to the Michigan Courts 2024 Caseload Report, Michigan probate courts processed more than 38,000 small estate petitions last year, and roughly one in five was returned for correction on the first pass.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What Form PC 558 does, who can file it, and the exact estate value cap for 2026
- 🧾 The eight documents and pieces of information you must gather before opening the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, signature line, and order block on PC 558
- 👨👩👧 Three filled-out examples following real Michigan families through the form
- ⚖️ The mistakes, fees, and post-filing steps that decide whether your assets actually transfer
What Form PC 558 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 558 is Michigan’s Petition and Order for Assignment, a hybrid document that serves as both the petition the heir signs and the order the judge or probate register signs on the same page. It is authorized by MCL 700.3982, which lets the probate court order a small estate’s assets assigned directly to the surviving spouse and heirs without a personal representative. The form is published and revised by SCAO, and the current revision date is printed in the lower-left corner of the form; readers should always confirm they have the latest version before filing.
A person may file PC 558 when the decedent’s entire probate estate, minus the statutory funeral and burial allowance, does not exceed the annual inflation-adjusted cap set by SCAO Administrative Memorandum 2025-04. For deaths occurring in 2026, the cap is \$29,000, up from \$28,000 in 2025. Only “probate” assets count: jointly titled property, payable-on-death accounts, and life insurance with a named beneficiary do not.
The filer is usually the surviving spouse, an adult child, a parent, or another heir at law. If there is no surviving spouse, any heir may petition. Funeral directors and unpaid creditors may also use the form to recover the funeral and burial allowance. Filers acting pro se are the norm; Michigan Legal Help hosts a free guided interview that produces the same PC 558 the court will sign.
The form is filed in the probate court of the county where the decedent was domiciled on the date of death, not where the death occurred or where the assets sit. Filing in the wrong county is the most common rejection reason, and a refiled petition does not refund the original \$25 filing fee.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open a folder before you open the form. PC 558 looks short, but every blank on it must be supported by a document you can produce on demand if the probate register asks. Missing even one item can stall the assignment for weeks, and Michigan probate registers are trained to check each attachment against the petition line by line.
Here is the pre-filing checklist every PC 558 filer needs:
- Certified death certificate with the raised county seal, ordered from the Michigan Vital Records office for \$34 the first copy. Without it, the court has no proof the decedent has died and will refuse to docket the petition.
- Paid funeral or burial bill showing the itemized charges and the amount paid. The funeral allowance is subtracted from the estate value to determine whether you fit under the \$29,000 cap, and unpaid funeral providers get paid first under MCL 700.3982(1).
- Decedent’s Social Security number and date of birth, taken from the death certificate or a prior tax return. The court uses these to confirm identity for the final IRS Form 1040 and any Social Security lump-sum death benefit.
- Asset list with values as of the date of death, including bank statements, vehicle titles, a Kelley Blue Book printout for cars, and the most recent statement for any small brokerage account.
- Names, addresses, and relationships of all heirs under Michigan’s intestacy rules in MCL 700.2103. Missing an heir is grounds to void the assignment later.
- The original will, if one exists, even when the estate qualifies as small. The will must be deposited with the court under MCR 5.119 within 42 days of death.
- Photo ID for the petitioner, usually a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, because the probate register will administer an oath when you sign.
- \$25 filing fee plus the inventory fee keyed to the SCAO inventory fee schedule. For a \$15,000 estate, the inventory fee is \$25; for a \$28,000 estate, it is \$50.
Gather every item physically or as a clean PDF before you start typing. Filers who try to “fill in what they know” and add the rest later almost always lose track of a number and have to refile.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only official source is the SCAO Form PC 558 page, which hosts the current fillable PDF. Forms printed from other sites are often outdated and may be rejected by the probate register if the revision date in the lower-left corner is older than the SCAO version on file.
The PDF is fillable in Adobe Acrobat Reader, the free Adobe Reader DC download. Type directly into the boxes rather than handwriting, because the probate court scans the form for digital indexing and handwritten entries scan poorly. Save the file twice: once unsigned for your records and once signed for filing.
Filers without a computer can pick up a paper PC 558 at the probate court counter in their county for free. Most counties also stock blank PC 558 forms in the self-help kiosk near the clerk’s window. Ask for the current revision by name, because some counties keep older stacks on the shelf.
Spanish-speaking filers can use the free Michigan Legal Help interview, which produces the form in English (the court only accepts English filings) but explains every question in Spanish along the way. The interview also calculates the cap and inventory fee automatically, which prevents the most common math mistakes.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC 558 Line by Line
PC 558 is one page divided into a caption, a petition body with numbered paragraphs, a signature block for the petitioner, and an order block signed by the judge or probate register. Every numbered paragraph is a separate field, and each one carries its own trap. Work through them in order, top to bottom, exactly as printed on the SCAO form.
Top Caption: Court Address and File Number
The caption sits in the top band of the page and identifies the case. Write the full name and address of the probate court for the county where the decedent was domiciled, leaving the file number blank because the clerk assigns it when you file.
How to answer it: In the Approved, SCAO heading area, do not write anything; that line is for the court. In the box labeled STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF, type the county name in capital letters, such as WAYNE or KENT. Leave FILE NO. blank.
Example: Maria Lopez, filing in Detroit, types WAYNE in the county box and leaves FILE NO. blank. The clerk later stamps 2026-987,654-DE in that field.
Nuance: If the decedent lived in a nursing home in a different county than their longtime home, file in the county of the nursing home only if the move was permanent. Temporary stays do not change domicile under MCL 700.1104(k).
Common mistake: Filers who put the death county instead of the domicile county get the petition returned, lose the \$25 fee, and must start over in the correct court.
Misconception: Many filers believe they can file in any Michigan county for convenience. They cannot. Probate venue is strict, and a register who notices the venue error must reject the filing.
Estate of (Decedent’s Name)
This field names the deceased person whose assets are being assigned.
How to answer it: Type the decedent’s full legal name, last name first in capital letters, exactly as it appears on the death certificate. Add a/k/a entries if the decedent used another name on any asset (for example, a bank account in a maiden name).
Example: Maria’s mother shows up on the death certificate as RIVERA, ELENA MARIA, so Maria types RIVERA, Elena Maria, a/k/a Elena M. Cruz (Cruz being the maiden name on the credit union account).
Nuance: If the decedent used a nickname on a vehicle title (Bob instead of Robert), include the nickname as an a/k/a so the Secretary of State will accept the assignment order at the title transfer counter.
Common mistake: Listing only the legal name when an asset is titled under a maiden or nickname. The bank or Michigan Secretary of State will refuse to release the asset because the order does not match the title.
Misconception: Filers think the death certificate name is enough. It is enough for the court, but not always for the asset holder, which is why a/k/a entries matter.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner’s Name, Address, and Interest
Paragraph 1 identifies who is asking the court to assign the assets and why that person has standing.
How to answer it: Type the petitioner’s full legal name, current mailing address with ZIP code, daytime phone number, and the petitioner’s relationship to the decedent (surviving spouse, son, daughter, creditor, funeral director).
Example: Maria Lopez, 1422 Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209, (313) 555-0144, daughter of decedent.
Nuance: A P.O. Box alone is not enough; the court needs a physical address for service. Use the P.O. Box on the second line if mail does not deliver to your street.
Common mistake: Listing the decedent’s address instead of the petitioner’s. The court mails the signed order to the petitioner, and a wrong address means the order disappears.
Misconception: Filers think only the surviving spouse can file. Any heir, creditor with an unpaid funeral bill, or the funeral director itself may file under MCL 700.3982(1).
Paragraph 2: Date and Place of Death
Paragraph 2 anchors the petition to the death certificate.
How to answer it: Enter the date of death in MM/DD/YYYY format and the city and county of death exactly as printed on the certified death certificate.
Example: 03/14/2026, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.
Nuance: If the decedent died out of state but was domiciled in Michigan, list the out-of-state city and county here, but still file in the Michigan county of domicile.
Common mistake: Writing the date the family found the decedent instead of the official date of death on the certificate. The two can differ by days and the court will catch the mismatch.
Misconception: Filers think the place of death controls venue. It does not. Domicile controls venue.
Paragraph 3: Decedent’s Age and Last Address
Paragraph 3 confirms the decedent’s domicile and age at death.
How to answer it: Enter the decedent’s age at death as a whole number and the decedent’s last residence address, including city, county, state, and ZIP.
Example: Age 71, 1422 Vernor Highway, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48209.
Nuance: If the decedent lived in an assisted living facility, list the facility address, not the family home, because that is the legal residence on the date of death.
Common mistake: Using the decedent’s address from years earlier. The probate register cross-checks against the death certificate and will reject mismatches.
Misconception: Filers think age means age on the most recent birthday they remember. Use the age printed on the death certificate, which is calculated to the exact day.
Paragraph 4: Will or No Will
Paragraph 4 tells the court whether the decedent died testate (with a will) or intestate (without one).
How to answer it: Check the box for intestate if there is no will. Check testate and attach the original will if one exists. PC 558 may still be used when a will exists, as long as the estate value remains under the cap.
Example: Maria’s mother left no will, so Maria checks intestate. In a different case, James files PC 558 for his father, attaches the original will, and checks testate.
Nuance: If you find a will after the assignment is signed, you must petition to reopen under MCR 5.310, which is expensive and slow.
Common mistake: Checking intestate without searching the decedent’s safe deposit box or home filing cabinet. Hidden wills surface months later and unwind the assignment.
Misconception: Filers think PC 558 only works for intestate estates. It works for either, as long as the estate value qualifies.
Paragraph 5: Heirs and Devisees
Paragraph 5 lists every person entitled to inherit, with names, addresses, ages, and relationships.
How to answer it: List every heir under MCL 700.2103 (intestate) or every devisee named in the will (testate). For minors, list the date of birth and the parent or guardian’s name. Attach a continuation sheet if the list does not fit.
Example: Maria Lopez, daughter, age 44, 1422 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209; Carlos Rivera, son, age 41, 800 Pine St, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Nuance: A surviving spouse who is also the only heir still gets listed. Step-children inherit only if legally adopted.
Common mistake: Omitting a half-sibling or estranged child the petitioner has not spoken to. Every omitted heir has a right to set aside the order, which can claw back assets years later.
Misconception: Filers believe they can choose who inherits when there is no will. They cannot. Intestacy follows a fixed statutory order, and the court will not honor side agreements unless every adult heir signs a waiver.
Paragraph 6: Estate Assets and Values
Paragraph 6 lists every probate asset with its value on the date of death. This is the box where most filers get the math wrong.
How to answer it: Itemize each asset on a separate line with a short description and a dollar value. Total the values at the bottom. Include only probate assets: solely owned bank accounts, vehicles titled in the decedent’s name alone, uncashed payroll or pension checks, and personal effects with resale value.
Example: Comerica checking acct #**1234, \$8,420.17; 2014 Toyota Camry, KBB value \$7,200; household goods, \$1,500. Total: \$17,120.17.
Nuance: Subtract the funeral and burial allowance (the actual paid amount, capped at reasonable charges) before comparing to the \$29,000 ceiling. If the gross estate is \$30,000 and the funeral cost \$8,000, the net for cap purposes is \$22,000, and PC 558 still works.
Common mistake: Including jointly titled property, IRAs with named beneficiaries, or life insurance proceeds. These are non-probate and do not belong on PC 558. Including them inflates the estate over the cap and forces dismissal.
Misconception: Filers think fair market value means what they hope to sell the car for. Use the Kelley Blue Book private-party value on the date of death, not the asking price.
Paragraph 7: Funeral and Burial Expenses
Paragraph 7 captures the funeral allowance that gets paid first.
How to answer it: Enter the total amount paid or owed for funeral and burial services, supported by an itemized invoice from the funeral home or cemetery.
Example: \$7,842.00 paid to Lopez Funeral Home, invoice dated 03/20/2026.
Nuance: If the funeral home has not been paid, the court can order the assignment to pay the funeral home directly. The funeral home itself can be the petitioner under MCL 700.3982(1).
Common mistake: Estimating instead of attaching the paid receipt. Without proof, the judge or register reduces the allowance to zero and recalculates the cap, which can push the estate over the limit.
Misconception: Filers think headstones, flowers, and out-of-town travel count. Only funeral home and cemetery services qualify; reception food, flights, and lodging do not.
Petitioner’s Signature, Date, and Oath
The signature block is the bottom half of the page. It is where the petitioner swears the petition is true.
How to answer it: Sign in front of the probate register or a notary. Print your name beneath the signature, write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and provide your bar number if you are an attorney (most pro se filers leave this blank).
Example: Maria signs Maria Lopez, prints Maria Lopez, dates 05/02/2026, and leaves the bar number blank.
Nuance: Some counties require the petitioner to appear in person to sign before the register. Others accept a notarized signature mailed in. Call the probate court clerk before driving.
Common mistake: Signing at home with no notary. The court will not accept an unverified signature and will mail the form back, costing one to two weeks.
Misconception: Filers think an electronic signature is fine. Most Michigan probate courts still require wet ink or MiFILE e-signature through a credentialed account.
Order Block (Bottom of Page)
The order block is the court’s part of the page, but the petitioner fills in the asset assignments before submitting so the judge or register can simply sign.
How to answer it: Under IT IS ORDERED, list each asset and the heir who should receive it. Match the asset descriptions to Paragraph 6 word for word.
Example: Comerica checking acct **1234 to Maria Lopez and Carlos Rivera in equal shares; 2014 Toyota Camry to Maria Lopez; household goods to Maria Lopez and Carlos Rivera in equal shares.
Nuance: If heirs have agreed in writing that one will take the car and the other will take the cash, attach the signed agreement and reflect that allocation here.
Common mistake: Leaving the order block blank and expecting the judge to write it in. Judges sign what is in front of them; a blank order produces a blank assignment.
Misconception: Filers think the order automatically splits everything equally. It does not. The court orders exactly what the petition asks for, which is why precise drafting matters.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each example follows one Michigan filer through PC 558 from caption to order. All three estates fall under the 2026 cap of \$29,000 after subtracting the funeral allowance.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Adult Daughter, Wayne County
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County | WAYNE |
| Estate of | RIVERA, Elena Maria, a/k/a Elena M. Cruz |
| ¶1 Petitioner | Maria Lopez, 1422 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209, daughter |
| ¶2 Date/Place of Death | 03/14/2026, Detroit, Wayne County, MI |
| ¶3 Age/Last Address | Age 71, 1422 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209 |
| ¶4 Will? | Intestate |
| ¶5 Heirs | Maria Lopez, daughter; Carlos Rivera, son |
| ¶6 Assets | Checking \$8,420.17; 2014 Camry \$7,200; goods \$1,500; Total \$17,120.17 |
| ¶7 Funeral | \$7,842.00 to Lopez Funeral Home |
| Order | Cash split 50/50; car to Maria; goods split 50/50 |
Scenario 2: James Carter, Surviving Spouse, Kent County
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| County | KENT |
| Estate of | CARTER, Linda Sue |
| ¶1 Petitioner | James Carter, 612 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, spouse |
| ¶2 Date/Place of Death | 01/22/2026, Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI |
| ¶3 Age/Last Address | Age 64, 612 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| ¶4 Will? | Testate, will attached |
| ¶5 Heirs/Devisees | James Carter, spouse, sole devisee |
| ¶6 Assets | Fifth Third savings \$12,300; final paycheck \$2,140; Total \$14,440 |
| ¶7 Funeral | \$9,100.00 paid to Heritage Life Story |
| Order | All assets to James Carter |
Scenario 3: Aisha Brown, Grandson Petitioner, Genesee County
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County | GENESEE |
| Estate of | BROWN, Theodore Earl |
| ¶1 Petitioner | Aisha Brown, 905 Welch Blvd, Flint, MI 48504, granddaughter |
| ¶2 Date/Place of Death | 04/02/2026, Flint, Genesee County, MI |
| ¶3 Age/Last Address | Age 88, Hurley Manor, 1115 Begole St, Flint, MI 48504 |
| ¶4 Will? | Intestate |
| ¶5 Heirs | Aisha Brown, granddaughter (sole heir, parent predeceased) |
| ¶6 Assets | Pension check \$1,840; household goods \$900; Total \$2,740 |
| ¶7 Funeral | \$4,300.00 owed to Sweet Funeral Home |
| Order | Pension check to Sweet Funeral Home; goods to Aisha Brown |
A fourth filer worth knowing about is Marcus Hill, a Saginaw funeral director who filed PC 558 himself when an unclaimed decedent’s only asset was a \$2,100 final Social Security check; Marcus listed his funeral home as petitioner and creditor, and the court assigned the check directly to him. A fifth, Janet Park, used PC 558 in Oakland County to claim her late husband’s \$11,400 credit union account when the rest of their property passed by joint title.
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan offers three filing channels for PC 558, and the right choice depends on the county and how fast you need the order. Confirm with the county probate court before you drive or upload, because not every county accepts every channel.
E-filing through MiFILE. Most counties now accept PC 558 through the statewide MiFILE portal. You upload the signed PDF, pay the \$25 filing fee plus the inventory fee by credit card or e-check, and receive a stamped order back in your MiFILE inbox usually within 3 to 7 business days. Keep the MiFILE confirmation email; it is your proof of filing.
In-person filing at the probate court counter. Bring two copies of the completed PC 558, the certified death certificate, the funeral bill, the original will (if any), photo ID, and payment by cash, check, or card depending on the county. The probate register administers the oath, signs the order on the spot in straightforward cases, and hands you a certified copy. Processing time is usually same-day to two days. The address for each court is listed on the Michigan One Court of Justice court directory.
Filing by mail. Send the notarized PC 558, the certified death certificate, the funeral invoice, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for the filing and inventory fees payable to the probate court. Mail processing takes 2 to 4 weeks. Use certified mail with return receipt as your proof of filing.
Fee details are governed by MCL 600.880b and the SCAO inventory fee table: \$25 filing fee, plus \$5 for estates under \$1,000, \$25 for \$1,000–\$3,000, and a sliding scale that reaches \$50 at the \$28,000 estate level. Certified copies of the signed order cost \$12 each plus \$1 per page, and you will need at least one for every bank, credit union, and Secretary of State office that holds an asset.
What Happens After You File
Once the judge or probate register signs the order, the signed PC 558 is the assignment. There is no second document. You walk the certified copy into the bank, credit union, or Michigan Secretary of State branch and present it like a deed.
For bank accounts, the bank closes the decedent’s account and issues a cashier’s check to the heir named in the order, usually within 5 business days. For vehicles, the SOS title transfer counter accepts the order in place of a probate court appointment and issues a new title in the heir’s name for a \$15 title fee plus 6% use tax (waived for transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or parent under MCL 205.93).
If a creditor surfaces after the assignment, the heirs are personally liable up to the value of what they received, but only for one year from the date of the order under MCL 700.3982(2). Keep good records of what you received and what you paid out.
The IRS still expects a final Form 1040 for the decedent’s year of death, due April 15 of the following year. The petitioner signs it as personal representative, even though no formal personal representative was appointed. The Social Security Administration also pays a \$255 lump-sum death benefit to a surviving spouse or eligible child; apply by calling 1-800-772-1213 within two years of death.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
PC 558 looks simple, but small slips cause big delays. These are the ten mistakes Michigan probate registers see most often.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue must be the county of domicile, not the county of death, and a misfile forfeits the filing fee.
- Counting non-probate assets. Joint accounts and POD funds inflate the estate over the cap and trigger dismissal.
- Forgetting to subtract the funeral allowance. Without subtracting the paid funeral bill, filers wrongly conclude the estate is too large and open a full probate they did not need.
- Skipping an heir. Omitting a half-sibling or adopted child voids the order and exposes the petitioner to a clawback suit.
- Using a stale revision of the form. SCAO updates PC 558 every year or two; old revisions get rejected at intake.
- Estimating the vehicle value. Without a Kelley Blue Book printout dated to the date of death, the court substitutes a higher value that can push the estate over the cap.
- Leaving the order block blank. Judges sign what is presented, and a blank order means the bank cannot release funds.
- Signing without a notary or register oath. Unverified signatures bounce the petition immediately.
- Listing the decedent’s address instead of the petitioner’s in Paragraph 1. The signed order then mails to the wrong place and gets lost.
- Not ordering enough certified copies. Each asset holder keeps an original, so order at least one per asset plus two spares.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of working rules every PC 558 filer should follow.
Do:
- Do order at least three certified death certificates upfront, because the funeral home, the bank, and the SOS each want one.
- Do type the form, not handwrite, so the court’s scanner indexes it cleanly.
- Do call the probate court clerk before you drive, because counties differ on whether notarized mail-in signatures are accepted.
- Do save the MiFILE confirmation or mailing receipt, since it is your only proof of filing date.
- Do subtract the funeral allowance before comparing to the \$29,000 cap, since the cap applies to net probate value.
- Do list every heir under MCL 700.2103, even ones the family is not in contact with, because omissions void the order.
Don’t:
- Don’t include life insurance, IRAs, or jointly titled property, because those are not probate assets.
- Don’t sign the form at home without a notary, because the court rejects unverified signatures.
- Don’t guess at vehicle value, because an inflated KBB number can blow the cap.
- Don’t leave the order block blank, because the judge signs what is written and nothing more.
- Don’t file in the death county when the decedent lived elsewhere, because venue is fatal.
- Don’t wait years to file, because asset holders close dormant accounts and recovery becomes harder over time.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filers can complete PC 558 pro se, with the free Michigan Legal Help interview, or with a probate attorney. Each path has trade-offs.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Lower cost, because the only money out the door is the \$25 filing fee plus the inventory fee.
- Faster control, since you decide when to file rather than waiting for an attorney’s calendar.
- Direct access to the probate register, who can answer procedural questions for free at the counter.
- No attorney-client formalities, which can feel intimidating to grieving families.
- The Michigan Legal Help interview drafts the form for free in plain language, so you keep the cost savings without the typing errors.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Higher rejection risk, because the register cannot give legal advice on which assets count or who is an heir.
- Personal liability for missed creditors or omitted heirs under MCL 700.3982(2).
- No representation if another heir contests the petition.
- Slower learning curve on inventory fees, KBB values, and intestacy rules.
- No malpractice insurance behind your decisions, which an attorney would carry.
FAQs
Is Michigan Form PC 558 the same as opening a probate estate?
No. PC 558 is a short-form summary procedure under MCL 700.3982. No personal representative is appointed, and the case closes the moment the judge signs the order.
Can I use PC 558 if the estate is exactly at the cap?
Yes. The 2026 cap of \$29,000 is inclusive, but you must subtract the paid funeral and burial expenses before comparing the net estate to the cap.
Do I write my mother’s maiden name or married name in the Estate of box?
Yes, write the legal name on the death certificate and add the maiden name as a/k/a if any asset is titled under it.
Do I list jointly held accounts in Paragraph 6?
No. Only solely owned probate assets go on PC 558. Joint accounts pass automatically to the surviving owner.
Can I file PC 558 in the county where my father died if he lived somewhere else?
No. Venue follows the decedent’s domicile on the date of death, not the place of death.
Do I need to attach the original will if there is one?
Yes. Under MCR 5.119 the original will must be deposited with the probate court within 42 days of death, and PC 558 still works for testate estates under the cap.
Should I include my dad’s IRA in the asset list?
No. IRAs with a named beneficiary are non-probate assets. List them only if the beneficiary is the estate itself.
Can the funeral home file PC 558 instead of a family member?
Yes. A funeral director with an unpaid bill is an authorized petitioner under MCL 700.3982(1).
Do I sign Paragraph 1 or only the bottom signature line?
No, you do not sign Paragraph 1; signatures go only on the petitioner signature line before the probate register or a notary.
Is there a deadline to file PC 558 after death?
No strict deadline exists, but asset holders close dormant accounts over time, and creditor claims become harder to manage after a year.
Can I e-file PC 558 through MiFILE?
Yes, most Michigan counties accept PC 558 through MiFILE, but a few smaller counties still require paper. Call the clerk first.
Do I need an attorney to file PC 558?
No. The form is designed for pro se filers, and the free Michigan Legal Help interview drafts the petition for you at no cost.
What happens if I find more assets after the order is signed?
Yes, you can file a supplemental PC 558 for newly discovered assets as long as the total estate still fits under the \$29,000 cap; otherwise you must open a full probate.
Related reading
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