Michigan Form PC 588 is the Petition and Order to Open Safe Deposit Box to Locate Will or Burial Deed, and it is the court-approved form a Michigan probate judge uses to authorize a bank to let a named person look inside a deceased person’s safe deposit box for a will, a burial deed, or a life insurance policy under MCL 700.2517 and MCL 487.14401. You file it in the probate court for the county where the decedent lived, and without the signed order on the bottom half of the form, the bank will not legally open the box.
The form looks short, but the fine print on the back, the interested-persons list, and the bank officer’s certification trip up most pro se filers. The current State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) revision of PC 588 is dated 3/24, and Michigan probate courts process tens of thousands of estate filings each year, with SCAO statistics showing that more than 30% of pro se probate filings get rejected on the first pass for missing signatures, missing interested persons, or incomplete bank certifications.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📄 What every box, line, and signature block on PC 588 means in plain English
- 🧾 Which documents to gather before you walk into the probate court clerk’s office
- 🏛️ How to file by paper, by mail, and through MiFILE e-filing in counties that require it
- 👨👩👧 Three full named-person walkthroughs covering the most common real-life scenarios
- ⚠️ The mistakes that cause judges to reject the petition and how to avoid each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form PC 588 is a hybrid document. The top half is a petition you sign asking the probate court for permission to open a safe deposit box that was leased by a person who has died. The bottom half is the order the judge signs granting that permission, plus a certification block where the bank officer later writes down what was found inside the box. Because the form combines petition and order on one page, you must complete only the petition portion and leave the order portion blank for the judge.
The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) at MCL 700.2517 and the Michigan banking statute at MCL 487.14401 limit who may file. The petitioner must be a person with an interest in the decedent’s estate, named in the will if one is suspected, or a person who has a reasonable belief the box contains the decedent’s will, deed to a burial plot, or a life insurance policy payable to a named beneficiary. Banks cannot legally open the box on a family member’s word alone, even with a death certificate, because the box is the decedent’s leased property and the contents are presumed private until a court order issues.
People who commonly file PC 588 include surviving spouses, adult children, parents of a decedent who left no spouse or children, named personal representatives waiting on letters of authority, and attorneys filing on behalf of any of those people. Banks themselves do not file PC 588, but the bank officer must sign the certification on the back after the box is opened in their presence. If you file before being formally appointed personal representative, that is fine, because PC 588 is a limited order that authorizes only a search, not full administration of the estate.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you sit down with the form, because missing items are the single biggest reason the clerk hands the petition back. The probate register at the counter checks for completeness before the file even reaches a judge, and missing attachments mean a second trip on a different day.
- Certified death certificate. You need at least one certified copy from the Michigan Vital Records office or the county clerk where the death occurred. The court keeps a copy in the file, and the bank wants to see it the day you open the box. Without it, the clerk will refuse to accept the petition.
- The safe deposit box lease or rental agreement. Find this in the decedent’s home files or ask the bank for a copy. The lease shows the exact box number and the exact legal name of the financial institution, both of which must match the petition word-for-word.
- Photo ID for the petitioner. A Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or passport. The bank will compare this to the order before opening the box, so the name on the ID must match the name you sign on the petition.
- The decedent’s full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and last residential address. The court uses these to confirm venue and to index the case. Errors here cause the case to be filed in the wrong county.
- Names and addresses of all interested persons under MCR 5.125. For a search-of-will petition, this generally includes the decedent’s spouse, children, heirs at law, and any nominated personal representative if a copy of the will is known. Missing an interested person is grounds for the judge to deny or delay the order.
- The county and city where the bank branch holding the box is located. The court order tells that branch to allow access, so the address must be exact.
- The proposed recipient(s) of any will or burial deed found. The order directs the bank to deliver the will to the probate court and the burial deed to a named family member. Decide who that person is before drafting.
- Filing fee in the correct amount. Most Michigan probate courts charge around $20 for this motion-style petition, though fees vary by county and are listed on the Michigan One Court of Justice fees page. Cash, check, money order, or card depending on county.
- A blank copy of PC 588 printed single-sided. Printing two-sided causes the bank certification on page 2 to be missed during scanning.
- Your case caption information from any related probate matter. If a probate estate is already open, you must use the existing file number, not request a new one.
If any item is missing, write down what you still need and stop until you have it. Maria Chen, a surviving spouse from Grand Rapids, learned this when she drove to the Kent County Probate Court without the lease agreement and had to come back two days later because she could not confirm the exact box number.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only official version of PC 588 is the SCAO-approved PDF posted on the Michigan Courts website. Download the current 3/24 revision directly from the SCAO forms library, because privately printed copies floating around online are sometimes outdated and missing the bank certification block. The probate clerk will reject any version that does not match the SCAO layout.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the counter of any Michigan county probate court. The Michigan One Court of Justice probate court directory lists every probate court address and phone number, so you can call ahead to confirm hours. Most counters keep PC 588 in the public form rack alongside PC 558, which is the related form for opening an absentee’s box.
For e-filing counties, you complete and upload PC 588 through MiFILE, Michigan’s TrueFiling-powered e-filing portal. MiFILE is mandatory for attorneys statewide and is rolling out county-by-county for self-represented filers. If your county has not yet mandated MiFILE for pro se filers, you may still file on paper at the counter or by mail.
The form is fillable in any modern PDF reader, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, but the digital signature fields on PC 588 do not auto-validate. Print, sign in blue or black ink, then scan back to PDF if you are e-filing. Saving over a partially completed copy with the same filename is fine, because the form does not lock fields after entry.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC 588 Line by Line
The form is divided into a caption, a petition body with numbered paragraphs, a signature block, the judge’s order, and a bank certification on page 2. Work top to bottom and never skip a numbered paragraph, because the judge reads the petition in order and will deny anything that contradicts itself.
Court Caption: County Probate Court
This top-left line asks which county probate court will hear the petition. You write the name of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death, in all caps, followed by the words PROBATE COURT. For example, Janet Brooks, whose father lived in Ann Arbor, writes WASHTENAW on the blank line so the heading reads STATE OF MICHIGAN, WASHTENAW PROBATE COURT.
A nuance arises when the decedent split time between two homes, such as a snowbird with a Florida winter house. Michigan venue follows domicile, not physical presence at the moment of death, so use the county where the decedent kept their voter registration, driver’s license, and tax filings.
The most common mistake here is writing the county where the bank branch sits rather than where the decedent lived. If you file in the wrong county, the clerk will accept the petition but the judge will dismiss it for improper venue and you lose your filing fee. A widespread misconception is that you can file in any county that is convenient, but venue in probate is jurisdictional under MCL 700.1302, not optional.
File No.
This box gets the existing probate file number if a case is already open, or it gets left blank for the clerk to assign a new number. Write the number exactly as the clerk gave it to you, including any year prefix and the -DE or -CZ suffix. Carlos Rivera, who already opened informal probate for his mother, writes 2026-123456-DE in the File No. box.
The edge case is a sealed or confidential file, which sometimes happens when minors are interested persons. In that situation, call the probate register before filing because confidential cases require special access procedures.
The common mistake is making up a number or guessing at the format. If you write a number that does not exist, the clerk’s electronic system rejects the filing instantly. Many filers wrongly believe a new file number is automatic, but if a probate case is already open you must use that number or the petition lands in the wrong file.
In the Matter of (Decedent’s Name)
Write the decedent’s full legal name as it appears on the death certificate, last name last, in standard caps. Robert James Whitman goes in the box, not Bob Whitman and not Whitman, Robert J. The court indexes the case by this exact name and an alias will not match.
If the decedent used aliases, add the abbreviation a/k/a and list each alias. For example, Robert James Whitman a/k/a Bob Whitman a/k/a R.J. Whitman. Banks sometimes hold the lease under an alias, so listing each is essential.
The most common mistake is using a nickname or a married name that never appeared on legal documents. The bank will refuse access if the order names a person who does not match the lease. Filers often think the court will figure out the name match for them, but Michigan probate is a strict pleading system and the order copies the petition word-for-word.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner Identification
The first numbered paragraph asks for your name, address, telephone number, and your relationship or interest in the estate. Write your full legal name, current mailing address with city, state, and ZIP code, a phone number where the court can reach you during business hours, and a short description such as surviving spouse, adult child, nominated personal representative, or creditor with knowledge of insurance policy.
A nuance is a P.O. Box. The court accepts a P.O. Box as a mailing address, but the bank will want to verify a physical residence on the day the box is opened, so list both if they differ. Aisha Thompson writes P.O. Box 482, Lansing, MI 48901 (mailing); 1422 Walnut St., Lansing, MI 48906 (residence).
The most common mistake is writing only son or daughter without specifying adult child of the decedent. Probate judges want to see that you are an adult and an interested person under MCR 5.125. A misconception is that being on the lease as a co-lessee gives you automatic access. It does not, because once the decedent died the bank may legally seal the box until a court order issues.
Paragraph 2: Decedent’s Date of Death and Last Address
This paragraph asks for the decedent’s date of death and the decedent’s address at the time of death. Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format and the address in standard street format with city, state, and ZIP. For example, 03/14/2026 and 815 Cherry Lane, Traverse City, MI 49684.
The edge case is a death that occurred outside Michigan while the decedent was domiciled in Michigan. List the Michigan domicile address, not the out-of-state address where the death certificate was issued, because Michigan venue follows domicile.
The most common mistake is using the date the death certificate was issued rather than the date of death. Those dates can be weeks apart and entering the wrong one creates inconsistencies the judge will flag. Filers sometimes assume the address means the hospital where the decedent died, but the form asks for the home address that establishes venue.
Paragraph 3: Identity of the Financial Institution
Paragraph 3 asks for the name and address of the bank, credit union, or trust company that leases the safe deposit box. Use the exact legal name shown on the lease, not the marketing name. For example, the lease may read JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. even though the sign on the building says Chase.
The address must be the specific branch where the box is physically kept, including street, city, and ZIP, because the order directs that branch to allow access. Marcus Lee, opening his late father’s box at the Detroit branch, writes Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.
A common mistake is naming the bank’s corporate headquarters rather than the branch holding the box, which sends the order to the wrong place and forces a corrected order. A misconception is that all branches of the same bank can open any box, but Michigan boxes are physically tied to a single vault and only that branch can comply.
Paragraph 4: Box Number and Lessee Information
Write the safe deposit box number exactly as printed on the lease, and list every person who signed the lease as a lessee or co-lessee. Box numbers often include a letter such as B-417 or Vault 2, Box 88, and the bank matches it character-for-character.
If the decedent was the sole lessee, write only the decedent’s name. If a spouse or other person co-leased the box, list that person’s full legal name and current address, because Michigan law treats co-lessees as having independent access rights that may complicate the order.
The common mistake is guessing at the box number when the lease is missing. The bank will not search by name, so a wrong number means no access. Many filers wrongly believe a co-lessee spouse already has full access after death, but MCL 487.14401 requires the bank to seal the box until proper procedures are followed.
Paragraph 5: Reason for Opening the Box
Check one or more of the boxes describing what you reasonably believe is inside: a will, a deed to a burial plot, or an insurance policy on the life of the decedent payable to a named beneficiary. PC 588 only authorizes a search for these three categories of documents and nothing else, by direct command of MCL 700.2517.
A nuance: if you suspect the box also contains cash, jewelry, or other valuables, those items must remain in the box during this search. The order does not let you remove them. Janet Brooks checks only the will box because that is the only thing she reasonably believes is inside.
The most common mistake is checking all three boxes when you really only suspect one, hoping for broader access. Judges scrutinize this paragraph and will deny the petition if the stated belief is not reasonable. A misconception is that PC 588 authorizes inventory of the entire box; it does not, and the bank officer’s certification on the back is limited to the three statutory categories.
Paragraph 6: Names and Addresses of Interested Persons
List every interested person under MCR 5.125(C)(1), which for a will-search petition typically means the decedent’s heirs at law: surviving spouse, children, parents if no spouse or children, and siblings if no parents. Include the full legal name and current mailing address of each person, even minors, who must have a guardian or conservator listed.
If a person is deceased, write (deceased) after the name and list that person’s children if any, because the share passes by representation. A nuance is the inclusion of a nominated personal representative if a copy of the will exists outside the box, because that person becomes interested even before the will is admitted.
The most common mistake is leaving out a stepchild, half-sibling, or estranged child. Judges check the heirs against the death certificate informants and will deny incomplete petitions. A widespread misconception is that you do not have to notify people who will not inherit; under MCR 5.125 you must list every heir at law, not just the likely beneficiaries.
Paragraph 7: Request for Relief
This paragraph contains the actual ask: that the court order the named financial institution to open the box in the petitioner’s presence and deliver any will to the probate court, any burial deed to the person handling burial arrangements, and any life insurance policy to the named beneficiary. Read the pre-printed language carefully and only modify it if your situation differs.
A nuance is when the petitioner is not the person handling the burial. In that case, name the funeral arrangements person on the line provided so the burial deed goes to the right hands quickly enough to matter. Maria Chen writes deliver burial deed to my brother-in-law, David Chen, who is handling funeral arrangements.
The most common mistake is asking for items beyond the three statutory categories, such as cash or jewelry. Judges strike that language and may reject the whole petition. A misconception is that you can use this paragraph to inventory the box; an inventory requires letters of authority and a separate inventory filing.
Petitioner’s Signature, Date, and Attorney Information
Sign your full legal name in blue or black ink on the signature line, write the date you sign in MM/DD/YYYY format, and print your name beneath. If an attorney represents you, the attorney signs and lists their P-number, firm, address, and phone. Carlos Rivera signs Carlos M. Rivera, dates 04/02/2026, and prints his name.
A nuance is electronic signatures through MiFILE, which use the /s/ Name convention. Michigan accepts electronic signatures from registered MiFILE users under MCR 1.109(E), but pro se filers must still print and sign in many counties.
The most common mistake is forgetting to date the signature, which makes the petition technically defective and sends it back. A misconception is that a notary is required; PC 588 does not require notarization because the petitioner signs under penalty of perjury through the form itself.
The Order Section (Lower Half of Page 1)
Leave this section blank. The judge fills in the date, checks whether the petition is granted or denied, names the institution, names the petitioner, and signs. Filers who type or write into this block cause the clerk to reject the form, because a self-completed order looks like an attempt to forge judicial action.
A nuance is that some counties have you submit a separate proposed order even though PC 588 has the order on the form. Check your county’s local administrative order on the One Court of Justice local rules page before filing.
The mistake of pre-filling the order is so common that probate registers have rubber stamps reading DO NOT COMPLETE ORDER PORTION. The misconception driving this mistake is that filling everything out helps the judge; it actually delays the case because the clerk returns the petition unfiled.
Bank Certification (Page 2)
The back of PC 588 contains a certification block where the bank officer who supervises the box opening writes the date, the name of the institution, the names of items found, the names of items delivered, and the officer’s signature and title. You do not fill any of this out before filing. The bank officer completes it the day the box is opened and returns the page to the court.
A nuance is that the certification must list each item by category. If a will is found, the officer writes Last Will and Testament of [decedent], dated [date]. If nothing is found, the officer checks the box for no will, burial deed, or insurance policy located. Aisha Thompson’s bank officer writes No will, burial deed, or insurance policy located and signs.
The most common mistake is the bank officer skipping the page entirely, which leaves the court file open. The probate register will follow up, but the petitioner often has to remind the bank to send the page in. A misconception is that the petitioner can certify the contents; under MCL 700.2517 only a bank officer’s certification satisfies the statute.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named-person walkthroughs showing the most common factual patterns. Each table follows one filer through the most important sections of PC 588.
Scenario 1: Surviving Spouse Searching for a Will
Maria Chen’s husband died unexpectedly in Grand Rapids. She believes his original will is in the safe deposit box at Fifth Third Bank.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County Probate Court | KENT |
| File No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| In the Matter of | Daniel Wei Chen |
| Petitioner Name and Relationship | Maria Chen, surviving spouse |
| Petitioner Address | 2247 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 |
| Date of Death | 02/18/2026 |
| Financial Institution | Fifth Third Bank, 111 Lyon St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Box Number and Lessees | Box B-214, sole lessee Daniel Wei Chen |
| Reason for Opening | Will (checked) |
| Interested Persons | Maria Chen (spouse); Lily Chen, age 16, minor child c/o Maria Chen |
| Signature and Date | Maria Chen, 02/24/2026 |
Scenario 2: Adult Child Searching for a Burial Deed
Carlos Rivera’s mother died in Detroit. The family knows she pre-purchased a cemetery plot and stored the burial deed at Comerica Bank.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| County Probate Court | WAYNE |
| File No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| In the Matter of | Elena Maria Rivera |
| Petitioner Name and Relationship | Carlos M. Rivera, adult son |
| Petitioner Address | 3318 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216 |
| Date of Death | 03/05/2026 |
| Financial Institution | Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Box Number and Lessees | Box 1142, sole lessee Elena Maria Rivera |
| Reason for Opening | Burial deed (checked) |
| Interested Persons | Carlos Rivera (son); Sofia Rivera-Lopez (daughter), 88 W Grand Blvd; Diego Rivera (son, deceased), survived by Mateo Rivera (grandson) |
| Signature and Date | Carlos M. Rivera, 03/07/2026 |
Scenario 3: Nominated Personal Representative Searching for Insurance Policy
Janet Brooks is named in a photocopy of her late uncle’s will as personal representative. The original will and a life insurance policy are believed to be at Lake Trust Credit Union in Ann Arbor.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County Probate Court | WASHTENAW |
| File No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| In the Matter of | Howard Eugene Brooks |
| Petitioner Name and Relationship | Janet L. Brooks, nominated personal representative and niece |
| Petitioner Address | 512 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Date of Death | 01/22/2026 |
| Financial Institution | Lake Trust Credit Union, 2305 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Box Number and Lessees | Box 309, sole lessee Howard E. Brooks a/k/a H.E. Brooks |
| Reason for Opening | Will and insurance policy (both checked) |
| Interested Persons | Janet Brooks (niece); Robert Brooks (brother of decedent); Patricia Brooks-Hale (sister of decedent) |
| Signature and Date | Janet L. Brooks, 01/29/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan probate courts accept PC 588 through three filing channels, and the right channel depends on your county and whether you are represented by an attorney. Read each option carefully because filing the wrong way can cost a day or more.
In Person at the Probate Court Counter
Bring the signed original PC 588, the certified death certificate, the safe deposit box lease if you have it, your photo ID, and the filing fee. Find your county on the Michigan probate court directory and confirm counter hours, which are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Most counties charge around $20 as a motion fee, listed on the court fees schedule, payable by cash, check, money order, or card depending on the county. Expect same-day or next-day signature on the order. Keep the time-stamped copy of your petition and the signed order; that signed order is what you carry to the bank.
By Mail
Mail the signed original PC 588 plus a copy you want returned, the certified death certificate, a check or money order for the filing fee made payable to the county probate court, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the signed order. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Processing takes one to two weeks in most counties. Your proof of filing is the return receipt and the file-stamped copy mailed back to you.
Through MiFILE E-Filing
MiFILE is mandatory for attorneys statewide and is rolling out for self-represented filers county by county. Create an account, select your county and the Probate – Petition filing type, upload the completed PC 588 as a PDF, upload the death certificate as an exhibit, and pay the fee plus a small e-filing service charge by card. Processing is usually two to five business days. Your proof of filing is the MiFILE confirmation email and the electronic file-stamped order downloadable from your MiFILE inbox.
Whichever channel you use, take the signed order to the bank in person along with photo ID and a certified death certificate. Call the branch ahead to schedule a vault appointment, because most branches require a bank officer to be present and that officer is not always on site.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk accepts PC 588, the petition goes to a probate judge or probate register for review. In simple cases with complete paperwork, the judge signs the order on the bottom half of page 1 the same day or within a few business days. The signed order is then either handed back to you, mailed to you, or made available for download through MiFILE if you e-filed.
You then schedule the box opening with the bank. The bank officer opens the box in your presence, removes only the will, burial deed, or insurance policy, and completes the certification on page 2 of PC 588. The bank delivers the original will directly to the probate court under MCL 700.2516, gives the burial deed to the person named in the order, and sends the insurance policy to the named beneficiary. Anything else in the box stays inside until a personal representative is appointed and conducts a full inventory.
After the certification page returns to the court, the file is closed unless you open formal probate by filing additional forms such as PC 558 or PC 559. If a will is found and delivered, the court holds it as a deposited will under MCL 700.2515 until someone petitions to admit it to probate. If nothing is found, the court file simply records that fact and you proceed with intestate administration.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing in the wrong county. Filing where the bank sits instead of where the decedent lived causes the judge to dismiss for improper venue and you lose the filing fee.
- Using a nickname for the decedent. A name mismatch with the bank lease will make the bank refuse access even after the judge signs the order.
- Pre-filling the order portion. The clerk rejects forms where the petitioner has typed into the judge’s order block, and you must reprint and resign.
- Skipping interested persons. Leaving off a stepchild or sibling violates MCR 5.125 and the judge can deny or hold the petition until corrected.
- Wrong box number. Guessing at the box number when the lease is missing means the bank cannot match the order to a physical box, blocking access.
- Checking all three reason boxes hoping for broader access. Judges scrutinize the reasonable belief and may reject the petition if the stated belief is not credible.
- Forgetting to date the signature. An undated petition is technically defective and sent back, costing days of delay.
- Filing without a certified death certificate. The clerk will not accept the petition without proof the decedent has died.
- Naming the corporate headquarters of the bank. The branch that physically holds the box is the only one that can comply, so naming the wrong address forces a corrected order.
- Asking for items beyond will, burial deed, or insurance policy. MCL 700.2517 limits the scope, and asking for cash or jewelry causes outright denial.
- Using an outdated form revision. Probate registers compare the form to the SCAO master, and old versions get rejected at the counter.
- Forgetting to bring photo ID to the bank. The bank officer compares the order to your ID and will refuse access if the names do not match.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do download the latest PC 588 directly from the SCAO library, because outdated copies miss required language.
- Do call the bank branch before filing to confirm the exact legal name of the institution and the box number, so the order matches the lease.
- Do list every heir at law as an interested person, because MCR 5.125 does not let you choose who counts.
- Do print single-sided so the bank certification on page 2 is not lost during scanning.
- Do keep a stamped copy of the petition and the signed order for at least three years, because banks sometimes ask for re-verification.
- Do schedule the vault appointment before driving to the bank, because not every branch keeps a vault officer on site daily.
- Don’t sign the order portion or fill in the judge’s date, because that triggers a rejection at the counter.
- Don’t assume a co-lessee spouse already has access; Michigan banks must seal the box on death until the order issues.
- Don’t mail the only original certified death certificate without keeping at least one more in your file.
- Don’t check reason boxes you do not actually believe apply, because judges read this section closely.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as your only address, because the bank wants a physical address to verify identity.
- Don’t wait weeks after death to file if a burial deed is inside, because funeral arrangements cannot wait.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Saves attorney fees, often $300 to $800 for a simple petition | Attorney drafts the petition correctly the first time, avoiding rejection |
| Forces you to learn probate basics that help later in administration | Attorney handles MiFILE upload and signature requirements seamlessly |
| Same-day filing if you walk into the courthouse | Attorney knows local probate register preferences county-by-county |
| Direct contact with the probate register builds rapport | Attorney can pivot to full estate administration without restarting |
| No need to coordinate calendars with a third party | Attorney spots missing interested persons before the judge does |
| Pros of Filing PC 588 Yourself | Cons of Filing PC 588 Yourself |
|---|---|
| Costs only the county filing fee, around $20 | Risk of rejection if any field is wrong |
| Fast turnaround in straightforward cases | Stress while grieving compounds the difficulty |
| You retain full control of the timeline | You must understand MCR 5.125 on your own |
| Direct communication with the bank | No professional buffer if the bank pushes back |
| Builds confidence for filing later probate forms | One missed detail can delay burial arrangements |
Key Entities and Related Forms
PC 588 sits inside a web of Michigan probate forms and statutes. The State Court Administrative Office drafts and approves the form. The Michigan probate courts accept and process it. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code at MCL 700.2517 authorizes the search, and the Michigan banking statute at MCL 487.14401 controls bank duties when a lessee dies.
Related forms include PC 558, the Petition to Open Safe Deposit Box of Absentee, used when the box belongs to a missing person rather than a decedent. PC 589 is the historical separate order that some counties still request even though the order is built into PC 588 itself. PC 559, the Application for Informal Probate, often follows PC 588 once a will is found and delivered.
| PC 588 | PC 558 |
|---|---|
| Used when the lessee is deceased | Used when the lessee is an absentee (missing person) |
| Authorized by MCL 700.2517 | Authorized by separate absentee statutes |
| Search limited to will, burial deed, insurance policy | Search may extend to identifying documents |
| Bank officer certifies on page 2 | Court-appointed examiner may participate |
Recap of Rulings and Agency Guidance
Michigan probate practice on PC 588 traces back to long-standing SCAO guidance that a search for a will is a limited proceeding that does not require letters of authority. The Michigan Probate Judges Association reaffirmed in administrative bulletins that a PC 588 order may issue ex parte and on the same day in uncontested cases, because the search itself does not transfer property or appoint a fiduciary.
Banks in Michigan operate under MCL 487.14401, which immunizes a bank from liability when it follows a court order to open a safe deposit box. That immunity is why banks insist on the signed order before opening the vault, and it is why no amount of family pressure will get a bank to bypass PC 588.
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to file PC 588?
No. PC 588 is designed for pro se filers, and probate registers help with form selection. An attorney helps if interested persons are contested, minors are involved, or formal probate will follow.
Can I open the box myself if I am a co-lessee?
No. Michigan law under MCL 487.14401 requires the bank to seal the box on the lessee’s death even when a co-lessee survives, until a court order issues.
Is PC 588 the same as a full probate filing?
No. PC 588 is a limited search order that authorizes only locating a will, burial deed, or insurance policy. Full administration requires letters of authority and additional forms.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the petitioner box?
Yes to whichever name appears on your government-issued ID, because the bank compares your ID to the order on the day the box is opened.
What if I do not know the box number?
No access until you find out. Call the bank with the decedent’s account information, search the home for the lease, or ask the probate register for guidance before filing.
Can I check both will and burial deed on Paragraph 5?
Yes, if you reasonably believe both are inside. Do not check categories you do not believe apply, because judges read this paragraph closely.
Do I need to notify interested persons before filing?
No. PC 588 is filed ex parte, meaning you do not serve interested persons before the judge signs. You only list them in Paragraph 6.
Can I file PC 588 in any Michigan county?
No. Venue lies in the county of the decedent’s domicile under MCL 700.1302. Filing elsewhere causes dismissal.
What does the bank officer write in the certification?
Yes, the bank officer writes the date, the items found by category, the recipients of each item, and signs with title. The certification page returns to the court file.
How long does the order stay valid?
Yes, the order is valid until executed. Most banks honor it for a reasonable time, but call ahead if more than 60 days have passed since signing.
Can I take pictures inside the box during the search?
No. PC 588 limits the search to the three statutory categories. Photographing other contents is outside the order and may expose you to claims by other heirs.
What if the box turns out to be empty?
Yes, the bank officer still completes the certification, checks the no items located box, and returns the page to the court so the file closes properly.
Do I list a stepchild as an interested person?
Yes if the stepchild was legally adopted, because adopted children are heirs under MCL 700.2114. A non-adopted stepchild is generally not an heir at law.
Can the order direct the bank to open the box without me present?
No. PC 588 requires the petitioner and the bank officer to be present together, both as protection for the family and for the bank under MCL 700.2517.
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