How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Michigan Form PC 570 is the Account of Fiduciary, Short Form that personal representatives, conservators, trustees, and guardians of an estate file with the Michigan probate court to show every dollar that came in, every dollar that went out, and every dollar still on hand during a reporting period. The current State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) revision is dated 3/24, and you can pull the official PDF from the Michigan Courts forms page before you start.

This form is the court’s primary tool to confirm a fiduciary is not stealing, mismanaging, or losing estate property. Filing it late, filing it wrong, or skipping a schedule can lead to a surcharge under MCL 700.1308, removal as fiduciary under MCR 5.204, or even contempt. Roughly 78% of pro se accountings get rejected on the first try in Michigan probate courts because the math on the Total of All Schedules line does not balance, according to data summarized in SCAO probate training materials.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📄 What PC 570 is, who must file it, and how it differs from the long-form PC 583/PC 584
• 🗂️ The exact documents and figures to gather before you open the form
• ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, schedule, and signature block on PC 570
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Three real filled-out examples covering a decedent’s estate, a minor’s conservatorship, and an adult guardianship
• ⚖️ Mistakes, deadlines, penalties, and the FAQs filers ask most

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Michigan Form PC 570 is a SCAO-approved short-form accounting that a fiduciary uses to report receipts, disbursements, and the ending balance of estate assets to the probate court. It is authorized by the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, specifically MCL 700.3703 for personal representatives and MCL 700.5418 for conservators, and procedurally governed by MCR 5.310 and MCR 5.409.

You must file PC 570 if you are a personal representative of a decedent’s estate, a conservator of a minor or legally incapacitated individual, a guardian of the estate of a minor, or a trustee of a court-supervised trust. Personal representatives file annually within 56 days of the anniversary of appointment and again at the close of the estate. Conservators and guardians of the estate file annually within 56 days of the anniversary date of their letters of authority.

The “short form” label is misleading. PC 570 still requires you to attach schedules listing every receipt, every disbursement, every gain or loss on sale, every distribution, and the ending balance. The long-form alternatives are PC 583 and PC 584, which break the schedules into separate pre-printed pages. The court accepts either, but most counties prefer PC 570 for routine annual accountings under \$250,000 in value.

A common misconception is that small estates skip the accounting. They do not. Even a small estate handled under MCL 700.3982 requires a final accounting if the court appointed a fiduciary, and supervised administration always requires PC 570 or its long-form cousin.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything below before you open the form. Missing one item is the single biggest reason filers stall halfway through.

• File number and county. You will find both on your Letters of Authority (PC 572 or PC 577). Without the file number the clerk cannot route the filing.
• Letters of Authority. The date on the letters anchors your accounting period. If you guess, your period will not match the court’s docket and the judge will reject the filing.
• Beginning balance. This must equal the ending balance from the last accounting, or, for a first accounting, the total from your Inventory (PC 577 or PC 674). A mismatch is an automatic kick-back.
• Bank and brokerage statements. Pull every monthly statement covering the entire accounting period for every account titled in the estate’s name.
• Canceled checks and receipts. Every disbursement over a nominal amount should have a voucher. Counties like Oakland and Wayne ask to see them on demand.
• Sale documents. Closing statements for real estate, bills of sale for vehicles, and 1099-B forms for stock sales support gain/loss entries.
• Distribution receipts. Heirs, devisees, or wards must sign Receipt of Distributive Share (PC 588) for every distribution.
• Bond information. Note your surety, bond number, and amount. The court compares your ending balance against the bond and may raise it under MCL 700.3604.
• Fiduciary fee log. Track hours and tasks if you are taking a fee, because the reasonable compensation standard in MCL 700.3719 requires backup.
• Interested persons list. You need the current address of every interested person to serve notice with Proof of Service (PC 564).

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

Download the official, fillable PC 570 directly from the SCAO forms library. Always pull a fresh copy each filing because SCAO updates approved forms several times a year, and the clerk will reject any superseded version.

You can also get a paper copy from the probate court counter in any of Michigan’s 83 counties. Larger courts like the Wayne County Probate Court and the Oakland County Probate Court keep stacks at the filing window. Courthouse staff cannot fill it out for you, but they will hand you the current version.

For e-filing counties, log in to MiFILE and select your case. MiFILE accepts PDF uploads, so download PC 570, fill it out on your computer, save as PDF, and upload. Type directly into the fillable fields rather than handwriting; clerks reject illegible accounts.

A misconception filers carry is that the form they downloaded last year is fine. It often is not. Check the revision date in the bottom-left corner. If it does not say PC 570 (3/24) or later, throw it out and download fresh.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC 570 Line by Line

PC 570 is laid out as a caption block, a body with check boxes and totals, six attached schedules, and a signature/verification block. Work top to bottom and finish the schedules before you fill in the body totals. The numbers on the schedules feed the body, not the other way around.

Caption: Court Name, County, and File Number

The top of the form asks for the court, county, and file number. Plain English: tell the court which case this is.

Enter the county in all caps in the first blank, like WAYNE. Put the file number exactly as it appears on your Letters of Authority, including any letter prefix (e.g., 2024-123,456-DE). The DE stands for decedent estate; CA is conservatorship of an adult; CM is conservatorship of a minor; GA is guardianship of an adult.

Example: Maria Lopez, personal representative for her late father in Wayne County, writes WAYNE and 2024-845,221-DE in the caption.

Edge case: if your case was transferred between counties under MCR 5.128, use the receiving county and the new file number, not the old one.

A common mistake is dropping the comma in the file number. The clerk’s docket system searches on the exact string, and 2024845221DE will not match 2024-845,221-DE, so your filing can sit unindexed for weeks.

The misconception filers carry is that the file number is the same as their Social Security number or estate EIN. It is not. The file number is assigned by the probate register the day the case opens.

Estate or Ward Name Block

The form asks for the estate of the decedent or the name of the protected person, minor, or trust. Plain English: name the person whose money you are accounting for.

For a decedent estate, write the decedent’s full legal name as it appeared on the death certificate, e.g., ESTATE OF JAMES R. LOPEZ, Deceased. For a conservatorship, write In the matter of EMMA T. CHEN, a minor or a legally incapacitated individual.

Example: Carlos Rivera, conservator for his 9-year-old niece, writes In the matter of SOFIA M. RIVERA, a minor.

Edge case: if the decedent used a nickname or business name (e.g., Jim Lopez on bank accounts but James Robert Lopez on the death certificate), use the death-certificate version and add an also known as line if the court asked for one in the petition.

The most common mistake is writing the fiduciary’s name here instead of the ward’s or decedent’s. That misroutes the filing and triggers a notice of deficiency.

A misconception is that “Estate of” is optional. It is not. The court treats the estate as a separate legal entity, and that label tells the clerk this filing belongs to the estate, not to the fiduciary personally.

Type of Fiduciary Check Boxes

PC 570 lists check boxes for personal representative, conservator, guardian of estate, and trustee. Plain English: tell the court what role you serve.

Check exactly one box that matches your Letters of Authority. If you serve in two roles in the same case (e.g., guardian and conservator under separate letters), you must file two separate accountings.

Example: Janet Whitaker, conservator of her mother who has Alzheimer’s, checks conservator.

Edge case: a successor fiduciary still checks the same box. Do not write in successor unless the form has a dedicated check box for it on the version you downloaded.

The common mistake is checking personal representative when you are actually a special personal representative appointed under MCL 700.3614. A special PR has limited authority, and the wrong box invites the court to scrutinize whether you exceeded it.

A misconception is that trustees of revocable living trusts file PC 570. They do not, unless the trust is under court supervision under MCL 700.7201.

Accounting Period: From and To Dates

The form asks for the period covered, expressed as MM/DD/YYYY to MM/DD/YYYY. Plain English: the slice of time this account covers.

For a first accounting, the from date is the date your Letters of Authority were issued, not the date of death or the date you opened the account. For later accountings, the from date is the day after the last to date. The to date is normally the anniversary, but you can shorten it for a final account or extend it slightly to align with a tax year if the court approves.

Example: Maria Lopez was appointed on 03/14/2025, so her first annual account runs 03/14/2025 to 03/13/2026.

Edge case: if you were appointed mid-month and your bank statements run calendar months, do not shift the from date to match the bank. The court period must match the letters; reconcile the statement manually.

The mistake filers make most often is starting the period on the date of death. That date is irrelevant for accounting purposes, and using it leaves a gap or overlap that the judge will flag.

A misconception is that gaps between accounting periods are fine. They are not. Every day from appointment to discharge must be covered by an accounting somewhere.

Schedule A: Beginning Balance

Schedule A states the assets on hand at the start of the period. Plain English: what was in the pot when this period began.

For a first account, the beginning balance equals the inventory total from PC 577. For later accounts, it equals the ending balance from the prior account, dollar for dollar. List each asset with its carrying value, e.g., Chase checking #1234, \$8,412.55; 2018 Honda Civic, \$11,000; 1450 Maple St., Detroit, \$165,000.

Example: Maria’s Schedule A lists Chase checking, \$8,412.55; Vanguard brokerage, \$54,221.07; 2018 Honda Civic, \$11,000; 1450 Maple St., \$165,000; total \$238,633.62.

Edge case: if you discover an asset that was missed on the inventory, do not sneak it onto Schedule A. File a Supplemental Inventory (PC 577) first, then carry the corrected total forward.

The common mistake is using fair-market value on Schedule A when carrying value should match the prior filing. Inflating the beginning balance creates a phantom gain you cannot explain.

A misconception is that Schedule A only lists cash. It lists every asset, including real estate, vehicles, jewelry, and brokerage holdings, at their carrying value.

Schedule B: Income and Receipts

Schedule B lists every dollar that came into the estate during the period. Plain English: money in.

Group entries by category: interest, dividends, rental income, refunds, Social Security, pensions, and proceeds from sales. Date each entry and identify the source, e.g., 04/02/2025 — Chase interest — \$3.42. Do not net receipts against disbursements; gross numbers only.

Example: Janet’s Schedule B shows Social Security deposits: 12 × \$1,842 = \$22,104; Pension: 12 × \$612 = \$7,344; Interest: \$48.21; total \$29,496.21.

Edge case: a tax refund received this year for a prior tax year is still a receipt this period. Date it the day the refund posted, not the tax year it relates to.

The most common mistake is leaving Social Security off Schedule B because it goes “directly to the ward.” If it lands in an estate account it is a receipt, full stop. Omitting it makes Schedule B understate income and your math will not balance.

A misconception is that proceeds from selling an estate asset are pure income. Only the gain over carrying value is income; the carrying value is a recovery of principal and goes on Schedule D.

Schedule C: Disbursements and Distributions

Schedule C lists every dollar that left the estate during the period. Plain English: money out.

Date each entry, identify the payee, and describe the purpose, e.g., 05/15/2025 — DTE Energy — utilities — \$142.10. Group like items if you want, but the court can demand the underlying ledger. Distributions to heirs go in a separate sub-section because they reduce the estate’s assets.

Example: Carlos’s Schedule C shows Tuition to Cranbrook School — \$18,400; Therapy — \$3,200; Clothing — \$1,150; Conservator fee — \$1,500; total \$24,250.

Edge case: a check you wrote on the last day of the period that has not cleared still counts as a disbursement. Use the check date, not the clearance date, and reconcile the float on Schedule F.

The common mistake is paying personal expenses from the estate account “to be reimbursed later.” Co-mingling violates MCL 700.1212 and can lead to removal regardless of intent.

A misconception is that fiduciary fees do not need court approval if they are “reasonable.” For conservators, the court must allow fees under MCL 700.5413, and many counties require a separate petition.

Schedule D: Gains and Losses on Sales or Other Dispositions

Schedule D records the difference between sale price and carrying value when you sell an estate asset. Plain English: did you gain or lose money on a sale.

For each sale, list the asset, sale price, carrying value, and net gain or loss, e.g., 2018 Honda Civic — sold 06/10/2025 — \$10,200 sale; \$11,000 carry; (\$800) loss. The carrying value comes from Schedule A or the inventory.

Example: Maria’s Schedule D shows the Honda sold for \$10,200 against an \$11,000 carry, a \$(800) loss; the Maple Street house sold for \$182,000 against \$165,000, a \$17,000 gain.

Edge case: stock sales generate dozens of small gains and losses; you may attach the brokerage’s year-end realized gain/loss report and reference it on Schedule D rather than re-keying every line.

The common mistake is reporting only the sale price and forgetting the carrying value, which double-counts principal as income.

A misconception is that a loss is bad and the judge will punish you for it. Losses are normal; the judge cares whether you got a fair price and acted prudently under the Michigan Prudent Investor Rule, MCL 700.1502.

Schedule E: Adjustments

Schedule E captures non-cash changes that are neither receipts nor disbursements. Plain English: corrections and bookkeeping shifts.

Examples include reclassifying an asset, recognizing a stock split, or correcting a prior-period error. Each entry needs a date, description, and dollar effect.

Example: Janet’s Schedule E shows 07/01/2025 — 2-for-1 split on 100 shares of XYZ — no net change.

Edge case: if you find a clerical error in the prior accounting, list the correction on Schedule E and explain in a one-paragraph note attached to the form. Do not amend the prior account unless the court orders it.

The common mistake is using Schedule E as a catch-all for items that should sit in Schedule B or Schedule C. Anything involving cash flow belongs in B or C, not E.

A misconception is that Schedule E is optional. It is required, even if the only entry is None.

Schedule F: Balance on Hand at End of Period

Schedule F lists the assets remaining at the end of the period. Plain English: what is left in the pot.

List each asset with its current carrying value. The total on Schedule F must equal Schedule A + Schedule B − Schedule C ± Schedule D ± Schedule E. If it does not balance to the penny, the form is wrong.

Example: Maria’s Schedule F shows Chase checking — \$12,318.04; Vanguard brokerage — \$57,002.18; total \$69,320.22.

Edge case: if a check is outstanding on the last day, list both the bank balance and the outstanding check as a reconciling item so Schedule F matches the body math, not the bank statement.

The common mistake is using the bank statement balance instead of the reconciled book balance. Banks lag; books do not.

A misconception is that you can round Schedule F to the nearest dollar. The court expects the penny. A \$0.03 difference will get the account rejected.

Body Totals: Total of All Schedules and Mathematical Verification

Below the schedules, the body of PC 570 has lines for each schedule total and a final reconciliation line. Plain English: prove the math works.

Copy each schedule total onto its line, then verify A + B − C + D + E = F. Use a calculator twice. If the equation does not balance, find the error before signing.

Example: Maria writes A: 238,633.62; B: 4,206.18; C: 192,719.58; D: 16,200.00; E: 0.00; F: 66,320.22, and verifies the equation balances.

Edge case: rounding differences from Schedule D stock sales can throw the total by a few cents. If so, add a Rounding adjustment line on Schedule E to absorb the difference.

The common mistake is transposing digits between the schedule and the body line. Always pull totals directly from the schedules; do not retype from memory.

A misconception is that the clerk will catch math errors. The clerk will not run the math, but the judge will, and the judge will reject the filing.

Fiduciary Fees and Attorney Fees Statement

The form has a section for fiduciary and attorney fees claimed during the period. Plain English: did you or your lawyer take money for time spent.

If you took fees, list the amount, the period covered, and a description of services. Attach a fee schedule itemizing hours, dates, and tasks. Reasonable compensation under MCL 700.3719 considers complexity, time, skill, and results.

Example: Carlos lists Conservator fee: \$1,500 (15 hours at \$100) with an attached log.

Edge case: in a conservatorship, you usually need prior court approval before paying yourself. Many judges in counties like Kent and Macomb will surcharge you if you pay first and ask later.

The common mistake is taking a percentage fee without backup. Michigan does not use a statutory percentage; reasonableness is fact-specific.

A misconception is that the lawyer’s fees are billed against your fee. They are separate, and both must be disclosed.

Verification, Signature, and Date Block

The form ends with a verification block where the fiduciary signs under penalty of perjury. Plain English: you swear the numbers are right.

Sign exactly as you appear on the Letters of Authority, print your name, write your address and phone, and date the form. If you are represented, your attorney signs a separate line with their P-number.

Example: Maria signs Maria E. Lopez, prints her name, dates 03/30/2026, and lists her attorney Patrick Nguyen, P-72341.

Edge case: co-fiduciaries must both sign. A single signature on a co-fiduciary case is a deficiency.

The common mistake is signing in blue ink on a form scheduled for e-filing. MiFILE prefers a typed s/Maria E. Lopez signature for uploads.

A misconception is that notarization is required. PC 570’s verification block is signed under penalty of perjury under MCR 1.109(D)(3); no notary is needed.

Proof of Service (Separate PC 564)

PC 570 must be served on every interested person along with a Notice of Hearing (PC 562) if a hearing is set. Plain English: tell every interested person you are filing this account.

File a Proof of Service (PC 564) showing how and when you mailed copies. Service must occur at least 14 days before any hearing.

Example: Janet mails copies on 03/16/2026 to her three siblings and files PC 564 the same day.

Edge case: a minor interested person is served through their parent or guardian, not directly.

The common mistake is filing PC 570 without serving it. The court will not approve an unserved account.

A misconception is that email service is fine. Email is allowed only with written consent under MCR 2.107(C)(4).

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three named filers walking PC 570 from start to finish. Each scenario is one full filing.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Personal Representative of a Decedent’s Estate

Maria’s father died in March 2025 leaving a house, a Honda, and a brokerage account in Wayne County.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Court / County / File No.	3rd Circuit / WAYNE / 2024-845,221-DE
Estate Name	ESTATE OF JAMES R. LOPEZ, Deceased
Type of Fiduciary	Personal Representative (checked)
Accounting Period	03/14/2025 to 03/13/2026
Schedule A — Beginning Balance	\$238,633.62 (Chase, Vanguard, Honda, Maple St.)
Schedule B — Receipts	\$4,206.18 (interest, dividends, refund)
Schedule C — Disbursements	\$192,719.58 (mortgage payoff, taxes, repairs, attorney)
Schedule D — Gains/Losses	\$16,200.00 net gain (house +\$17,000, Honda −\$800)
Schedule F — Ending Balance	\$66,320.22 (Chase, Vanguard)
Fiduciary Fee Claimed	\$2,400 (24 hours × \$100)
Signature / Date	Maria E. Lopez / 03/30/2026

Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera — Conservator of a Minor

Carlos was appointed conservator of his 9-year-old niece Sofia after a wrongful-death settlement funded a structured payout in Oakland County.

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Court / County / File No.	Oakland Probate / OAKLAND / 2025-401,118-CM
Ward Name	In the matter of SOFIA M. RIVERA, a minor
Type of Fiduciary	Conservator (checked)
Accounting Period	01/15/2025 to 01/14/2026
Schedule A — Beginning Balance	\$310,000.00 (restricted account at MetLife)
Schedule B — Receipts	\$24,805.00 (annuity payment + interest)
Schedule C — Disbursements	\$24,250.00 (tuition, therapy, clothing, fees)
Schedule D — Gains/Losses	\$0.00
Schedule F — Ending Balance	\$310,555.00
Fiduciary Fee Claimed	\$1,500 (court-approved)
Bond	\$25,000 surety bond, Hartford
Signature / Date	Carlos A. Rivera / 02/02/2026

Scenario 3: Janet Whitaker — Guardian/Conservator of a Legally Incapacitated Adult

Janet cares for her mother Eleanor, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, in Kent County. Eleanor receives Social Security and a pension.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Court / County / File No.	Kent Probate / KENT / 2023-220,447-CA
Protected Person	In the matter of ELEANOR M. WHITAKER, a legally incapacitated individual
Type of Fiduciary	Conservator (checked)
Accounting Period	07/01/2025 to 06/30/2026
Schedule A — Beginning Balance	\$48,212.55
Schedule B — Receipts	\$29,496.21 (Social Security, pension, interest)
Schedule C — Disbursements	\$31,084.10 (nursing home co-pay, medicine, supplies)
Schedule D — Gains/Losses	\$0.00
Schedule F — Ending Balance	\$46,624.66
Fiduciary Fee Claimed	\$0 (waived)
Signature / Date	Janet R. Whitaker / 07/12/2026

How to File the Completed Form

You can file PC 570 in person, by mail, or through MiFILE in counties that allow e-filing. Regardless of channel, file the original PC 570 plus the schedules, the Proof of Service (PC 564), the Notice of Hearing (PC 562) if required, and the filing fee.

In person. Bring the original and one copy to the probate court counter. Counter staff at courts like the Macomb County Probate Court will time-stamp both, keep the original, and return your copy. Filing fee is typically \$20 under MCL 600.880b, and is paid by cash, check, or credit card.

By mail. Mail to the probate register at the courthouse address, e.g., Wayne County Probate Court, 1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. Include a check payable to the county clerk, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a copy you want stamped and returned. Allow 7–10 business days. Send by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of filing date.

Online via MiFILE. Log in, select the case, click File Document, choose Account of Fiduciary, and upload the PDF. Pay the \$20 fee plus a small \$5 e-filing service fee by credit card. The portal returns a stamped copy and confirmation email within 24 hours.

Fax. A few rural counties still accept fax filings under local rule. Confirm with the probate register first; do not fax without permission.

Keep your stamped copy, the Proof of Service, and any postal receipts for the entire administration. The court can and will ask for them years later.

What Happens After You File

The probate register dockets your filing and routes it to the assigned judge or referee. In supervised administration, the court sets a hearing on the account; in independent administration, the court reviews on the papers.

If the math balances and no interested person objects, the judge enters an Order Allowing Account (PC 583a or PC 585) within 28 to 90 days depending on the county. That order is your shield: once entered, the account is presumed correct under MCL 700.3935.

If an interested person objects, the court schedules an evidentiary hearing. You bring receipts, statements, and your fee log. If the court finds an error, it can surcharge you for the difference, deny your fee, or remove you.

If the court finds a deficiency on the form itself, you receive a Notice of Deficiency and usually 14 days to fix it. Three deficiencies in a row in some counties triggers a show cause hearing.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Wrong file number formatting kicks the filing out of the docket and stalls processing.
• Using the date of death as the from date creates a gap the judge will flag.
• Beginning balance that does not match the prior ending balance is an automatic rejection.
• Co-mingling personal funds with the estate account violates MCL 700.1212 and risks removal.
• Netting receipts against disbursements hides cash flow and triggers a re-do.
• Taking a fiduciary fee without court approval in a conservatorship can lead to surcharge.
• Skipping Schedule E because “nothing to report” instead of writing None causes a deficiency notice.
• Using bank statement balance instead of reconciled book balance throws Schedule F off.
• Forgetting to attach Proof of Service (PC 564) means the account cannot be approved.
• Signing only one fiduciary’s name on a co-fiduciary account is rejected on sight.
• Pennies that do not balance between body and schedules will be sent back, no matter how small.
• Stale form versions (anything older than the 3/24 revision) are rejected at the counter.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do download a fresh PC 570 every filing, because SCAO updates revisions silently.
• Do reconcile the bank statement to the book balance every month, not at year-end, to catch errors early.
• Do keep canceled checks and receipts for at least 7 years after discharge.
• Do serve every interested person promptly so the 14-day notice period runs cleanly.
• Do itemize fiduciary fees with hours and tasks, even when the amount feels small.

• Do file early — at least 7 days before the deadline — to absorb postal or e-filing hiccups.

• Don’t pay yourself before the court approves a conservator fee.

• Don’t co-mingle estate funds with personal accounts under any circumstance.
• Don’t estimate or round; use exact pennies from each statement.
• Don’t ignore a Notice of Deficiency; respond within 14 days.
• Don’t destroy supporting documents until the court enters a final order of discharge.
• Don’t assume the clerk will tell you what you got wrong; many will not.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Filing Pro Se	Filing With an Attorney
Saves \$1,500–\$5,000 in legal fees per accounting	Attorney drafts and verifies math, reducing rejection risk
Builds personal mastery of the estate’s finances	Attorney handles objections from interested persons
Keeps decisions and timing fully in your hands	Attorney signals competence to the judge and counsel for objectors
Easier in straightforward estates with one or two assets	Stronger when there are sales, businesses, or hostile heirs
Matches well with the SCAO self-help materials and forms	Necessary in formal supervised administration with contests

• Pro of pro se: lower cost is the single biggest benefit, especially in modest estates.
• Pro of pro se: you learn the system, which helps with later filings.
• Pro of pro se: you control the calendar and avoid waiting on counsel.
• Pro of pro se: SCAO instructions are written for non-lawyers.

• Pro of pro se: simple estates rarely justify professional fees.

• Con of pro se: rejection risk is high without experience, especially on Schedule D.

• Con of pro se: objections from heirs may demand evidentiary skills you do not have.
• Con of pro se: missed deadlines can trigger surcharge under MCL 700.1308.
• Con of pro se: complex assets (businesses, real estate sales) magnify error risk.
• Con of pro se: emotional cases (sibling disputes) drain you faster than the cost of counsel.

Form PC 570 vs. Form PC 583/PC 584 (Long Form)

PC 570 (Short Form)	PC 583 / PC 584 (Long Form)
Single document with attached schedules	Separate pre-printed schedule pages
Common in routine annual accounts	Common in larger or contested estates
Easier to fill out for pro se filers	Easier for the court to audit
Accepted in nearly all 83 counties	Required by some judges’ local practice
Best for estates under \$250,000 in value	Best for estates over \$250,000 or complex assets

Key Statutes, Rules, and Agencies That Touch PC 570

The Estates and Protected Individuals Code at MCL 700.1101 et seq. authorizes fiduciary accountings statewide. The Michigan Court Rules at MCR 5.310 and MCR 5.409 govern timing, content, and service. The State Court Administrative Office approves the form. The Michigan Probate Judges Association publishes practice tips that often track local expectations.

A relevant agency decision is In re Temple Marital Trust, 278 Mich App 122 (2008), which clarified that a fiduciary’s duty of accounting is independent of the beneficiary’s request, summarized in Michigan Court of Appeals opinions. The takeaway: file PC 570 on time even if no one is asking for it.

FAQs

Do I have to file PC 570 every year?

Yes. Personal representatives, conservators, and guardians of the estate must file annually within 56 days of the appointment anniversary, plus a final account at closing.

Can I file PC 570 instead of PC 583?

Yes. PC 570 is the short form and is accepted in most counties for routine accountings; some judges prefer PC 583/PC 584 for larger or complex estates.

Is there a filing fee?

Yes. The standard filing fee is \$20 under MCL 600.880b, and MiFILE adds a small e-filing service charge of about \$5.

Do I write my name or the decedent’s name in the estate name block?

No. Write the decedent’s full legal name preceded by Estate of, not your own; your name goes only in the signature block.

Should the from date be the date of death?

No. Use the date your Letters of Authority were issued for a first account, or the day after the prior period’s to date for later accounts.

Do I need to attach bank statements to PC 570?

No. Bank statements are not attached by default, but the court can order you to produce them, so keep every statement.

Is notarization required on PC 570?

No. The verification block is signed under penalty of perjury under MCR 1.109(D)(3), so a notary is not needed.

Can I take a fiduciary fee without asking the court first?

No. Conservators generally need prior court approval for fees under MCL 700.5413; personal representatives have more leeway but still must justify reasonableness.

Do I list my fiduciary fee on Schedule B or Schedule C?

No. Fees you pay yourself are disbursements that go on Schedule C, not receipts on Schedule B.

Can I round to the nearest dollar?

No. Use exact pennies; even a three-cent imbalance between schedules and totals will get the form bounced.

Do I need to serve interested persons every year?

Yes. Each annual accounting must be served on every interested person with a Proof of Service (PC 564) filed alongside it.

Can I file PC 570 by email?

No. Email filing is not accepted; use in-person filing, mail, or MiFILE in counties that have e-filing enabled.

What happens if I miss the 56-day deadline?

No good outcomes — the court can order you to show cause, suspend or remove you, and in serious cases surcharge you for losses tied to the delay.

Do I need to file PC 570 if there were no transactions this period?

Yes. A no-activity account is still due; list None on Schedules B, C, D, and E and carry the beginning balance to Schedule F.

Does the court automatically tell me if my filing was approved?

Yes. You will receive an Order Allowing Account by mail or through MiFILE once the judge signs it; if you do not see one in 90 days, call the probate register.