Michigan Form PC 577, the Petition and Order for Assignment, is the one-page probate document a surviving family member files with the county probate court to transfer a deceased person’s small estate to heirs without opening a full probate case. It is approved by the State Court Administrative Office, governed by MCL 700.3982, and limited to estates whose value, after funeral and burial costs, falls under the annual small estate cap.
If you get even one number wrong on PC 577, the probate register can reject the petition, force you to refile, or refer the estate into formal probate, which costs hundreds more in fees and weeks more in delay. According to the Michigan Courts annual statistical report, Michigan probate courts processed more than 28,000 small estate assignments in the most recent reporting year, and a meaningful share were rejected on first filing for math errors or missing death certificates.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 Exactly what to write in every box on the SCAO-approved PC 577 form
- 💵 The current 2026 small estate dollar cap and how the inflation adjustment works
- 🏛️ How to file by mail, in person, or through MiFILE in any Michigan county
- 👪 Three full walkthroughs using real-life family scenarios
- ⚠️ The ten most common mistakes that get PC 577 petitions rejected
What Form PC 577 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 577 is Michigan’s Petition and Order for Assignment, a hybrid document that serves as both the request to the court and, once signed by the judge or probate register, the order that legally transfers property. The form is published and revised by the State Court Administrative Office, and the most recent revision date is printed in the lower-left corner of the form. Always confirm you have the current revision before filing, because probate courts reject outdated versions on sight.
The petition is authorized by Michigan’s Estates and Protected Individuals Code, specifically MCL 700.3982, which lets the court summarily assign a decedent’s property when the estate’s value, minus funeral and burial expenses, does not exceed an inflation-adjusted ceiling. For deaths occurring in 2026, that ceiling is $29,000, adjusted yearly by the State Treasurer’s cost-of-living calculation under MCL 700.1210. The number was $28,000 in 2025 and $27,000 in 2024, so the version of the form you file must use the cap in effect on the decedent’s date of death.
People who file PC 577 are typically the surviving spouse, an adult child, a parent, or a sibling of someone who died owning very little. The filer does not need to be named in a will, and there does not need to be a will at all. The court is essentially saying, “this estate is too small to justify formal probate, so we will assign these assets directly to the heirs and creditors named on the form.”
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering documents before you open the PDF will save you a second trip to the courthouse and a second filing fee. PC 577 looks simple, but the supporting paperwork is where most filers stumble. Pull these items together first.
- Certified death certificate. You need an original certified copy from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or the local county clerk; photocopies are rejected, and without it the petition cannot be filed at all.
- Paid or itemized funeral bill. The funeral home’s invoice showing the total charge and any unpaid balance lets you claim the funeral expense deduction on line 5; without it the court may reduce or deny the deduction.
- Bank statements as of the date of death. You need the exact balance on the date the decedent died, because that is the value you list on the inventory; estimating from a later statement understates or overstates the estate.
- Vehicle titles. For each car, truck, or motorcycle owned solely by the decedent, you need the original title to value it and to transfer it to an heir afterward through the Michigan Secretary of State.
- Most recent paystub or final wage statement. Final wages owed by an employer count as estate property and must be valued on the inventory.
- Most recent tax refund information. Any pending federal or Michigan refund is estate property; the IRS Form 1310 and Michigan’s equivalent are filed afterward.
- List of all known heirs. You need full legal names, current addresses, dates of birth for minors, and the relationship of each heir, because the court uses this to confirm the assignment is lawful under MCL 700.2103.
- Photo identification. The probate register will check your ID against the petitioner block, and a mismatch between, say, a maiden name on the ID and a married name on the form triggers a hold.
- Filing fee in the correct payment form. Most counties accept cash, check, or money order made payable to the county probate court; some accept cards online only.
- Inventory fee calculation. This is separate from the filing fee, calculated under MCL 600.871, and you must bring it the same day or the order will not be entered.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative source for PC 577 is the SCAO court forms library, where the form lives as a fillable PDF. You can type directly into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader or any modern browser, then print and sign in ink. The form is free; never pay a third-party site for it.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any county probate court counter, including Wayne County Probate Court, Oakland County Probate Court, and Kent County Probate Court. Many county law libraries stock blank copies as well. If you are filing electronically, the form is uploaded as a PDF inside MiFILE, Michigan’s statewide e-filing portal operated by Tyler Technologies.
A common misconception is that PC 577 must be notarized. It does not, because the petitioner signs under a verification that has the legal effect of an oath under MCR 1.109(D)(3). What it does require is your original ink signature; a typed name in the signature line will be rejected at intake.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out PC 577 Line by Line
The form is one page with a top caption block, a numbered petition body, a verification block, and an order block at the bottom that the judge or register signs. Work top to bottom. Use black ink if filling out by hand. Do not strike through; if you make a mistake, start over with a fresh form, because cross-outs in the order block can void the assignment.
Caption: Court Name, County, and File Number
This is the band across the very top of the form. You write the name of the probate court, the county, and leave the file number blank for the clerk. The court typing line should read STATE OF MICHIGAN, [County Name] COUNTY PROBATE COURT. The file number is assigned by the clerk at intake and written in by the court, not by you.
For example, Maria Lopez, filing in Kent County for her late father, types KENT in the county box and leaves the file number empty. If your decedent lived in one county but owned property in another, file in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death under MCL 700.3201. A common mistake is filing in the county where the heir lives, which forces a venue transfer and a new filing fee. The misconception that “any Michigan probate court will do” is wrong; venue is jurisdictional for small estate assignments.
Estate of (Decedent’s Name)
This box asks for the full legal name of the person who died. Write the name exactly as it appears on the death certificate, in the format FIRST MIDDLE LAST, with no nicknames and no suffixes unless they appear on the certificate. James Robert Whitman is correct; Jim Whitman is not.
If the decedent went by a different name on bank or title documents, add an “AKA” line, for example JAMES ROBERT WHITMAN, AKA JIM WHITMAN. The edge case here is hyphenated or post-marriage names; if the death certificate shows a married name but the bank account shows a maiden name, list both with AKA. The most common mistake is using the nickname only, which causes the bank to refuse to honor the assignment order because the name does not match the account. The misconception that “the court knows who I mean” is dangerous; banks read the order literally.
Petitioner’s Name, Address, and Phone
The petitioner is you, the person asking the court to assign the estate. Write your full legal name as it appears on your photo ID, your current mailing address including ZIP code, and a daytime phone number where the court can reach you. Aisha Carter, 1422 Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910, (517) 555-0144 is the right format.
If you have moved since the death, use your current address, not the one on file with the funeral home. The most common mistake is using a P.O. Box without a residential address; many counties require both, because the court mails the file-stamped order back to the residential address. The misconception that you must be the next of kin to be the petitioner is false; any “interested person” under MCL 700.1105(c) may petition.
Item 1: Date and Place of Death
Item 1 asks when and where the decedent died. Copy the date and the city and county of death directly from the certified death certificate, in the format MM/DD/YYYY, City, County. 03/14/2026, Grand Rapids, Kent County is correct.
If the decedent died out of state but was domiciled in Michigan, list the out-of-state place of death and add a note that domicile was in Michigan. The common mistake is using the date the body was found rather than the legal date of death recorded on the certificate, which can change which annual estate cap applies. The misconception that hospital admission date matters is wrong; only the certified date of death controls.
Item 2: Decedent’s Domicile
Item 2 asks for the address where the decedent lived at the time of death. Write the full street address, city, county, ZIP, and state. 512 Maple Ave., Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI 49503 is the format the court expects.
If the decedent was in a nursing home, list the nursing home address as the domicile, but only if the decedent had no other home; otherwise list the home address. The mistake here is listing the heir’s address by accident, which destroys venue. A misconception is that “domicile” means “where the property is”; under MCL 700.1104(m) it means the decedent’s true, fixed permanent home.
Item 3: Will or No Will
Item 3 asks whether the decedent died testate (with a will) or intestate (without). Check one box. If there is a will, attach the original to the petition; PC 577 can still be used if the will exists, as long as the estate is small enough.
If you cannot find the will but believe one exists, do not check “intestate” to speed things up; that is a sworn statement and a false answer is a misrepresentation under MCR 2.114. The mistake of checking the wrong box can void the assignment. The misconception that small estates always require intestacy is wrong; testate small estates qualify too.
Item 4: Heirs and Devisees
Item 4 lists every heir at law (if intestate) or every devisee named in the will (if testate). For each person, list the full legal name, current address, date of birth if a minor, and relationship to the decedent. If a listed heir is also a minor or legally incapacitated, you must indicate that and name a conservator if one exists.
For example, Maria Lopez, daughter, 1422 Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910 is one row; minor children get a date of birth like DOB 09/02/2014. The most common mistake is forgetting half-siblings or children from a prior marriage, which can void the order if a missing heir later challenges it. The misconception that “estranged heirs do not count” is dangerous; under MCL 700.2103 every heir at law has equal standing regardless of relationship quality.
Item 5: Funeral and Burial Expenses
Item 5 asks for the amount paid or owed for funeral and burial. Enter the total dollar figure from the itemized funeral home invoice, including casket, services, vault, cemetery plot, and headstone, in the format $8,742.50. This number is critical because it is subtracted from the gross estate to determine if you are under the small estate cap.
If part of the bill is unpaid, list the total billed, not just the paid portion, because the unpaid balance is a priority claim. The mistake of leaving this blank or rounding down to fit under the cap is a sworn falsehood. The misconception that flowers and meals at the funeral count is wrong; only services billed by the funeral provider, cemetery, and crematorium qualify.
Item 6: Estate Property and Values
Item 6 is the inventory of everything the decedent owned at death in their sole name (no joint owners, no payable-on-death beneficiaries). List each asset on its own line with a date-of-death value. Examples: 2014 Toyota Camry, VIN 1NXBR32E… ., $4,800; Fifth Third checking #…1234, $2,310.16; Final paycheck from ABC Inc., $1,420.
Use date-of-death values only; later changes do not matter. The most common mistake is including jointly held assets or POD accounts, which are not estate property and inflate the value past the cap. The misconception that “household furniture” needs an appraised line item is wrong for small estates; a single line Household goods and personal effects, $500 is generally accepted.
Item 7: Net Estate Calculation
Item 7 asks you to subtract Item 5 from Item 6 and write the remainder. If the result is $29,000 or less for a 2026 death, the small estate procedure applies under MCL 700.3982. Write the figure clearly, for example $11,287.66.
The edge case is a negative number, meaning funeral expenses exceed the estate; in that case the entire estate goes to whoever paid the funeral bill. The mistake of using gross estate instead of net is the most common reason for rejection, because the cap applies to net. The misconception that the cap is a flat $25,000 is outdated; verify the current cap with the SCAO inflation table every year.
Item 8: Request for Assignment
Item 8 is the actual ask: that the court assign the estate to the persons listed. There is nothing to fill in here other than confirming you want the relief; it is pre-printed legal language. Read it before signing so you know what you are asking the court to do.
The mistake here is signing without reading and missing that the assignment binds you, the petitioner, to deliver the assigned property to the heirs. The misconception that the court mails checks to heirs is wrong; you, the petitioner, take the signed order to the bank and distribute funds yourself.
Verification and Signature
Below Item 8 is the verification line and signature block. Sign in ink, print your name, and date the signature in MM/DD/YYYY format. By signing, you are swearing under penalty of perjury that everything above is true.
The mistake of signing in pencil or with an electronic signature outside MiFILE causes immediate rejection. The misconception that a spouse can sign for an absent co-petitioner is wrong; each petitioner must sign personally.
Order for Assignment Block
The bottom third of the form is the order. You leave this entirely blank. The judge or probate register fills in the assignment table, signs, and dates it. If you write in this block, your form will be rejected because it looks like you tried to forge a court order.
The common mistake is helpfully “filling in” the assignment because the petition section already lists the heirs. Do not. The misconception that the order block needs your information to save the court time is wrong and can trigger a fraud review.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named filers each walk through PC 577 from start to finish.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Surviving Daughter With a Small Bank Account
Maria’s father, James Lopez, died in Kent County on March 14, 2026, leaving a checking account and a paid-off 2014 Camry.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN, KENT COUNTY PROBATE COURT |
| Estate of | JAMES ROBERT LOPEZ |
| Petitioner | Maria Lopez, 1422 Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910, (517) 555-0144 |
| Item 1 — Date/Place of Death | 03/14/2026, Grand Rapids, Kent County |
| Item 2 — Domicile | 512 Maple Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Item 3 — Will | Intestate (no will) |
| Item 4 — Heirs | Maria Lopez, daughter; David Lopez, son |
| Item 5 — Funeral | $8,742.50 |
| Item 6 — Property | Fifth Third checking, $2,310.16; 2014 Toyota Camry, $4,800 |
| Item 7 — Net Estate | -$1,632.34 (funeral exceeds assets) |
| Signature | Maria Lopez, 04/02/2026 |
Because the funeral bill exceeds the estate, the court assigns everything to Maria as the funeral payor under MCL 700.3982(1).
Scenario 2: Marcus Bell, Adult Son With a Final Paycheck and Tax Refund
Marcus’s mother, Linda Bell, died in Wayne County on January 9, 2026, leaving a final paycheck and a pending state tax refund.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN, WAYNE COUNTY PROBATE COURT |
| Estate of | LINDA MARIE BELL |
| Petitioner | Marcus Bell, 8800 Outer Dr., Detroit, MI 48235, (313) 555-0177 |
| Item 1 — Date/Place of Death | 01/09/2026, Detroit, Wayne County |
| Item 4 — Heirs | Marcus Bell, son (sole heir) |
| Item 5 — Funeral | $6,200.00 |
| Item 6 — Property | Final paycheck, $1,420; Michigan tax refund, $812; Comerica checking, $3,940 |
| Item 7 — Net Estate | -$28.00 (under cap) |
| Item 8 — Request | Assign to Marcus Bell |
| Signature | Marcus Bell, 02/05/2026 |
Marcus uses the signed order to claim the paycheck from the employer and the refund from the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Scenario 3: Janet Whitman, Surviving Spouse With a Vehicle and Joint Debts
Janet’s husband, Robert Whitman, died in Oakland County on February 22, 2026, leaving a truck and a small savings account.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN, OAKLAND COUNTY PROBATE COURT |
| Estate of | ROBERT JAMES WHITMAN |
| Petitioner | Janet Whitman, 4400 Pine Ridge Rd., Troy, MI 48085, (248) 555-0188 |
| Item 1 — Date/Place of Death | 02/22/2026, Pontiac, Oakland County |
| Item 3 — Will | Testate (will attached) |
| Item 4 — Devisees | Janet Whitman, spouse (sole devisee) |
| Item 5 — Funeral | $11,300.00 |
| Item 6 — Property | 2018 Ford F-150, $14,200; Chase savings, $3,100 |
| Item 7 — Net Estate | $6,000.00 |
| Item 8 — Request | Assign to Janet Whitman |
| Signature | Janet Whitman, 03/15/2026 |
Janet attaches the original will and uses the signed order at the Secretary of State branch to retitle the F-150.
How to File the Completed Form
You can file PC 577 in person, by mail, or electronically. Each county sets its own preference, but state law allows all three.
In person at the county probate court. Bring the signed petition, certified death certificate, paid funeral bill, original will (if any), photo ID, and payment. The filing fee is $25 under MCL 600.880b, plus a separate inventory fee calculated on the gross estate under MCL 600.871. Cash, check, or money order to the county probate court is accepted; some counties take cards. Processing is usually same-day, and the clerk hands you certified copies of the signed order on the spot. Keep at least three certified copies.
By mail. Send the same packet to the probate court’s mailing address (for example, Oakland County Probate Court, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341) with a check for the filing fee and inventory fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the certified order. Processing runs 7–14 days. The mailed certified copy is your proof of filing.
Online via MiFILE. Log in at mifile.courts.michigan.gov, upload the signed PDF and supporting documents, and pay by credit card (a small Tyler Technologies convenience fee applies). Acceptance is usually within 1–3 business days, and the file-stamped order is downloadable from your MiFILE dashboard.
A misconception is that the inventory fee is optional for small estates. It is not; even a $1,000 estate owes the minimum inventory fee under MCL 600.871(1), and the order will not be entered until it is paid.
What Happens After You File
Once the probate register or judge signs the order, you become responsible for distributing the assets named in it. You take certified copies to each institution holding estate property — the bank, the Secretary of State, the employer holding final wages, the IRS, the Michigan Treasury — and present the order along with the death certificate.
Banks generally release funds within 3–10 business days of receiving the certified order. The Michigan Secretary of State retitles vehicles the same day if you bring the order, the title, and a TR-11L application. Tax refunds take longer; the IRS requires Form 1310 and can take 8–12 weeks to reissue.
A creditor of the decedent has 63 days from the date of the order to make a written claim against the assigned property, under MCL 700.3982(2). If a creditor surfaces, the heir who received the property is liable up to the value received. The misconception that the assignment “extinguishes” debts is wrong; it just routes them through the heir.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the ten errors that cause the most rejections and the consequence of each.
- Using an outdated revision of the form. The clerk rejects the petition at intake and you refile from scratch.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue is jurisdictional, so the court transfers or dismisses, and you pay another filing fee.
- Listing joint or POD accounts as estate property. This inflates the estate above the cap and forces formal probate.
- Omitting an heir. The order can be voided later by the missing heir, exposing you to personal liability.
- Using a nickname instead of the legal name. Banks refuse to honor the order because names do not match account records.
- Leaving the order block partially filled in. The clerk treats it as tampering and rejects the petition.
- Estimating the funeral bill instead of using the invoice. The court reduces the deduction and may push the estate over the cap.
- Forgetting the inventory fee. The order is signed but not entered, so banks treat it as invalid.
- Signing electronically outside MiFILE. The verification fails and the petition is rejected.
- Using a date-of-death value from the wrong year’s bank statement. The estate value is wrong, which is a sworn falsehood.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do order at least three certified death certificates, because each institution wants its own original.
- Do file in the county where the decedent was domiciled, since venue is jurisdictional under MCL 700.3201.
- Do keep the funeral home’s itemized invoice, because the court may ask to see it.
- Do bring photo ID that matches the petitioner block, because the clerk will check.
- Do request multiple certified copies of the signed order, since each bank or title agency keeps one.
- Do mail the order to known creditors within 63 days, because the limitations clock starts at signing.
Don’t:
- Don’t include life insurance with named beneficiaries on the inventory, because it is not estate property.
- Don’t skip the inventory fee thinking it is optional; the order is not entered until it is paid.
- Don’t sign in pencil or use a typed signature, because the petition will be rejected.
- Don’t file PC 577 if the net estate exceeds the annual cap; use formal probate instead.
- Don’t distribute assets before the order is signed, because you have no legal authority yet.
- Don’t use PC 577 to transfer real estate; for that you need PC 556 or formal probate.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se:
- Cost savings. You pay only the $25 filing fee plus inventory fee, instead of $1,500–$3,000 in attorney fees.
- Speed. A pro se filer who walks the petition into the courthouse can leave with a signed order the same day.
- Control. You handle every conversation with the court, so nothing is lost in translation.
- Simplicity. PC 577 is a one-page form designed for non-lawyers under SCAO’s plain-language standards.
- Empowerment. Many filers feel a sense of closure from completing a parent’s or spouse’s last paperwork themselves.
Cons of filing pro se:
- Risk of rejection. A small math error can force a refile and another fee.
- Personal liability. If you miss an heir or creditor, you are personally on the hook for the value distributed.
- Tax blind spots. Pro se filers often miss final 1040 and Michigan MI-1040 obligations, which the IRS still expects.
- No advice on alternatives. An attorney might spot that a Transfer by Affidavit (PC 598) would be cheaper.
- Time off work. In-person filing during weekday hours can cost more in lost wages than an attorney would charge.
A useful comparison is between PC 577 and PC 598, since they often confuse filers.
| Feature | PC 577 vs. PC 598 |
|---|---|
| Form name | PC 577 is Petition and Order for Assignment; PC 598 is Affidavit of Decedent’s Successor |
| Court involvement | PC 577 requires a court order; PC 598 is filed nowhere and handed directly to the asset holder |
| Wait period | PC 577 has none; PC 598 requires 28 days after death under MCL 700.3983 |
| Fee | PC 577 costs $25 plus inventory fee; PC 598 has no court fee |
| Best for | PC 577 fits estates with vehicles or multiple assets; PC 598 fits a single bank account |
FAQs
Is Michigan Form PC 577 the same as a small estate affidavit?
No. PC 577 is a court petition that produces a signed order, while the small estate affidavit is PC 598, used without court involvement after a 28-day wait.
Do I need a lawyer to file PC 577?
No. The form is designed for self-represented filers, and Michigan probate clerks are trained to accept pro se PC 577 petitions, though they cannot give legal advice.
What is the small estate dollar limit for 2026?
Yes, there is a cap, currently $29,000 in net estate for deaths in 2026 under the SCAO inflation table.
Can PC 577 transfer real estate?
No. Real estate cannot pass through PC 577; you must use formal probate or a Lady Bird deed recorded before death.
Do I write the decedent’s nickname or legal name in the “Estate of” box?
No, never use a nickname; write the full legal name exactly as it appears on the certified death certificate, optionally with an AKA line.
Should I fill in the order block at the bottom of the form?
No. The order block is reserved for the judge or probate register; writing in it gets the petition rejected as tampering.
Do I list jointly held bank accounts in Item 6?
No. Jointly owned and POD accounts pass outside probate and are excluded from the estate inventory under MCL 700.6101.
Is there a waiting period before I can file PC 577?
No. Unlike PC 598, PC 577 can be filed immediately after death, as soon as the certified death certificate is issued.
Do I need to notarize PC 577?
No. The verification language under the signature line replaces a notary under MCR 1.109(D)(3).
Can I file PC 577 online?
Yes. Most Michigan counties accept PC 577 through MiFILE for a small e-filing convenience fee in addition to the $25 filing fee.
Do I list a minor heir’s date of birth in Item 4?
Yes, always include the DOB for any minor or legally incapacitated heir, because the court uses it to determine whether a conservator must receive the assignment.
What if the funeral bill is larger than the estate?
Yes, that is allowed; the court simply assigns the entire estate to whoever paid the funeral bill, under MCL 700.3982(1).
Can I use PC 577 if there is a will?
Yes. A small testate estate qualifies; attach the original will to the petition and check the “testate” box in Item 3.
What happens if a creditor comes forward after the order is signed?
Yes, creditors have 63 days under MCL 700.3982(2) to claim against assigned property, and the heir is liable up to the value received.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 556 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 558 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 565 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 51 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 651 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 597 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs