Michigan Form PC 622 is the Petition and Order to Open Safe Deposit Box to Locate Will or Burial Deed, a probate document that lets an interested person ask a Michigan probate court for permission to open a deceased person’s safe deposit box for the limited purpose of finding a will, a burial deed, or a life insurance policy. The form is published by the State Court Administrative Office and is governed by MCL 700.2517 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) and MCR 5.120.
Filing the wrong information on PC 622 can delay a funeral, freeze a will inside a sealed box for weeks, and force the family to pay for a second court hearing. Michigan probate courts process thousands of these petitions each year, and clerks at the Wayne County Probate Court report that roughly one in five petitions are kicked back for missing bank information, missing death certificates, or signatures in the wrong block. This article walks you through every line of the current SCAO-approved version (revision date 5/24, printed in the lower-left corner of the form) so your petition is accepted on the first try.
- 📄 What PC 622 is, who can file it, and which Michigan statute requires it
- 🏦 The exact bank, box, and decedent details you must gather before opening the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, box, and signature line, with sample entries
- 👨👩👧 Three full scenario tables showing what real filers enter from start to finish
- ⚖️ Filing channels, fees, deadlines, common mistakes, and answers to the 12 questions clerks hear most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
PC 622 is a hybrid document. The top half is a petition the filer signs under oath, and the bottom half is an order the probate judge signs after reviewing the petition. The petition asks the court for permission to open a sealed safe deposit box rented by the decedent so the contents can be searched only for a will, a deed to a burial plot, or a life insurance policy payable to a named beneficiary. The form is part of the SCAO probate form set and is accepted in all 83 Michigan counties.
The people who file PC 622 most often are surviving spouses, adult children, named personal representatives in a copy of the will, attorneys for the estate, and sometimes funeral directors who hold a power of attorney that survived the death. Under MCL 700.1105(c), an “interested person” includes heirs, devisees, beneficiaries, and creditors, and any of them may petition. The filer does not need to be the personal representative, and no estate has to be open yet, which is why this form is usually the very first probate paper filed after a death.
The statute that drives the form, MCL 700.2517, tells the bank that it may not let anyone remove anything from the box except the will (which goes to the probate register), the deed to the burial plot (which goes to the person arranging the funeral), and a life insurance policy (which goes to the named beneficiary). Everything else stays in the box until a personal representative is appointed. Ignoring that limit and pocketing jewelry or cash during the search is a misdemeanor and can lead to removal as personal representative under MCL 700.3611.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pull these items together before you open the PDF, because half of them appear in the first three lines of the petition. A missing piece sends you back to the bank or the funeral home and costs at least a day.
- Certified death certificate. The court will not sign the order without proof the decedent has died, and the bank will not let you in the vault without one either. Order at least three certified copies from the funeral home or the Michigan Vital Records office.
- The decedent’s full legal name, date of death, and last address. These three facts go on the caption of the petition. A nickname or a P.O. box will trigger a clerk callback.
- Bank name, branch address, and box number. Call the bank’s safe deposit department; the box number is not the same as the account number, and using the wrong number voids the order.
- Your own legal name, address, phone, and relationship to the decedent. The petition asks why you are an “interested person,” and a vague answer like “family” is rejected.
- A copy of the will, if you have one. If you already hold a photocopy, attach it so the judge sees that the original is the document being searched for.
- Photo ID. The bank will ask for a driver’s license or state ID matching the petitioner’s name on the order.
- Filing fee in the right form. Most Michigan probate courts charge a $20 motion fee for PC 622; check your county’s probate court fee schedule before you go.
- Names and addresses of other interested persons. Spouses, children, and the nominated personal representative may need notice; gather their addresses now so you do not redo the form later.
- Funeral home contact information. If a burial deed is in the box, the bank releases it to the person arranging the funeral, and the court order names that person.
If even one of those items is missing, the safest move is to call the probate register’s office in the county where the decedent lived and ask whether to file now or wait. The Michigan Courts probate self-help page lists every county register’s phone number.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable PDF lives on the Michigan Courts website at the SCAO PC 622 form page. Always pull a fresh copy the day you fill it out, because SCAO updates the layout without renaming the file, and an outdated revision will be rejected by some counties. The revision date prints in the lower-left corner; the current version reads PC 622 (5/24).
You can also pick up a paper copy at the counter of any county probate court, including the Oakland County Probate Court, the Kent County Probate Court, and the Macomb County Probate Court. Counter copies are pre-stamped with the county name in the caption, which saves a step. Some smaller counties keep limited stock, so call ahead.
For attorneys and self-represented filers who want to e-file, the MiFILE portal accepts PC 622 in counties that have rolled out e-filing, which now includes most of southeast Michigan. MiFILE charges a small convenience fee on top of the court’s filing fee. Pro se filers who are uncomfortable with PDF software can fill the form in by hand in black ink only; blue ink scans poorly, and pencil is rejected on sight.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 622 Line by Line
The form has one page with a caption block, a petition section, an order section, and three signature lines. Work top to bottom and never skip a field, even if it looks optional.
Caption: Court Name, County, and File Number
The top of PC 622 has a three-cell caption: court name on the left, file number on the right, and a court address line below. In plain English, this tells the clerk which court file your petition belongs to.
To answer it, write STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT on the first line and the county name in all caps on the second line, like COUNTY OF INGHAM. Leave the file number blank if no estate is open; the clerk assigns one when you file. Add the court’s street address on the third line.
For example, Maria Lopez lives in Lansing and writes INGHAM in the county block and leaves the file number empty because she is filing this petition before opening any estate.
A common nuance: if an estate is already open in another county, you must file PC 622 in that county, not where the bank is, because MCR 5.120 keeps all probate matters in one venue.
The most common mistake is writing the county where the bank sits instead of the county where the decedent lived; the clerk rejects the petition and you lose a day driving to the right courthouse.
A misconception to clear up: filers often think the file number is the decedent’s Social Security number or the bank account number. It is neither. It is a court-assigned docket number that only the clerk creates.
Decedent’s Name, Date of Death, and Address
Just below the caption is a block titled Estate of, with three short lines for the decedent’s full legal name, date of death, and last address. Plain English: this tells the judge whose box you want to open.
Enter the decedent’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the death certificate, in the format FIRST MIDDLE LAST. Write the date of death as MM/DD/YYYY. Write the last residential address, not a P.O. box.
For example, Maria Lopez writes ROBERT JAMES LOPEZ, 03/14/2026, and 412 Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48912.
A nuance: if the decedent used a nickname on the box rental (“Bob Lopez”), still use the legal name here and add a sentence in paragraph 3 of the petition explaining the alias.
The most common mistake is entering a maiden name or a married name that does not match the death certificate. The bank refuses entry because the name on the order will not match the name on the box rental card.
A misconception: filers think any address works. The court uses this address to confirm venue, so a stale address can knock your petition into the wrong county.
Paragraph 1: Petitioner’s Name, Address, and Interest
Paragraph 1 of the petition asks who you are and why you are interested in the decedent’s estate. Plain English: prove you have standing.
Type your full legal name, your mailing address, your daytime phone number, and your relationship to the decedent (spouse, child, named personal representative, creditor, attorney for an heir). Be specific; “family” is not enough.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Maria Elena Lopez, 412 Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48912, (517) 555-0142, surviving spouse of the decedent.
A nuance: if you are an attorney filing for an heir, name the heir and your bar number in this same paragraph, and attach an appearance form (MC 11).
The common mistake is leaving the relationship blank or writing “interested party” with no detail. Without a stated interest, the judge cannot find you have standing under MCL 700.1105 and will deny the petition.
A misconception: people think only the personal representative can file. Any heir, devisee, or named executor in a will copy can file, and you do not need letters of authority first.
Paragraph 2: Bank Name and Address
Paragraph 2 names the financial institution that holds the box. Plain English: tell the court exactly which vault to open.
Enter the bank’s full legal name (not the branch nickname), the street address of the branch where the box is located, the city, and the ZIP code. If the bank uses a different legal name from its public brand (for example, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. rather than “Chase”), use the legal name.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Lake Trust Credit Union, 501 South Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933.
A nuance: if the box is at a credit union, the same form works; PC 622 covers banks, savings and loans, and credit unions equally under MCL 700.2517(2).
The common mistake is naming the wrong branch. The order is branch-specific, and a Lansing branch order will not open a Grand Rapids box.
A misconception: filers think the court contacts the bank. It does not. You carry the signed order to the branch yourself.
Paragraph 3: Box Number and Reason to Believe Box Contains a Will, Burial Deed, or Policy
Paragraph 3 has two parts: the box number and a short statement of the reason you believe the box contains a will, a burial deed, or a life insurance policy.
Plain English: tell the judge which box and why you think the document is inside.
Write the box number exactly as printed on the bank’s rental card, including any letter prefixes (for example, B-417). For the reason, write a short factual sentence, not speculation. “The decedent told me in writing on January 5, 2026, that he kept his original will in this box,” is good. “I think it might be in there,” is not.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Box B-417 and “The decedent stored his original 2019 will and a paid burial deed for Mt. Hope Cemetery in this box, as confirmed by his 2025 written instructions.”
A nuance: if you do not know the box number but have a key, write “Box number unknown; key in petitioner’s possession,” and attach a photo of the key. Most courts accept this.
The common mistake is checking all three reasons (will, burial deed, policy) when only one applies. Over-claiming triggers extra hearings.
A misconception: filers think the reason must be sworn by a third party. The petitioner’s own oath at the bottom of the form is enough.
Paragraph 4: Request for Order
Paragraph 4 is the actual request. It states that the petitioner asks the court to order the bank to allow opening of the box in the presence of a bank officer to search for and remove only the will, the burial deed, and any life insurance policy.
Plain English: this is the “please grant my motion” sentence.
You usually do not type anything new here; the form’s printed language is the request. Read it once to make sure it matches your facts. If the box does not contain a burial deed, you can strike that phrase with a single line and initial it.
For example, Maria Lopez leaves the printed paragraph as is because she is searching for both a will and a burial deed.
A nuance: if you want the court to authorize a photocopy of the policy rather than removal, add a handwritten phrase, “Petitioner requests a photocopy of any life insurance policy be made and the original returned to the box,” before signing.
The common mistake is rewriting paragraph 4 in your own words. The printed language tracks the statute; rewriting it can trigger a denial because it no longer matches MCL 700.2517.
A misconception: filers think paragraph 4 lets them remove cash or jewelry. It does not. The statute strictly limits removals.
Petitioner’s Signature, Date, and Verification
The bottom of the petition section has a signature line, a date line, a printed name line, and a verification statement that says the petitioner declares under the penalties of perjury that the facts are true.
Plain English: sign and date under oath.
Sign in black ink. Print the date as MM/DD/YYYY. Print your name underneath the signature. If you are filing electronically through MiFILE, type /s/ Maria Elena Lopez in the signature block.
For example, Maria Lopez signs her name in cursive, dates the form 03/22/2026, and prints MARIA ELENA LOPEZ below.
A nuance: PC 622 does not require notarization, because the verification statement carries the same weight under MCR 1.109(D)(3). Some county clerks still ask for a notary; if so, comply rather than argue.
The common mistake is signing the order line instead of the petition line. The judge signs the order; if you sign there, the petition is unsigned and rejected.
A misconception: filers think a witness must sign. No witness is required for PC 622.
Order Section: Judge’s Findings and Directives
The lower half of the page is the order. It starts with “IT IS ORDERED:” and contains three numbered directives that authorize the bank to allow the search, limit what may be removed, and require the bank to file a list of any items removed.
Plain English: this is what the judge signs to make the petition real.
The petitioner does not fill in the body of the order. Leave the directives untouched. Fill in only the bank name in the first directive if the form leaves a blank, and the box number if the form leaves a blank.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Lake Trust Credit Union and Box B-417 in the two blanks inside the order, then leaves the rest for the judge.
A nuance: some counties pre-print the directives so no blanks remain; in that case write nothing in the order section.
The common mistake is signing the judge’s signature line. Only the probate judge or register signs there. A petitioner’s signature there voids the order.
A misconception: filers think they can hand-deliver an unsigned order to the bank. Banks must see the judge’s signature and the court’s seal before opening the vault.
Judge’s Signature, Date, and Bar Number
The last line is the judge’s signature, the date, and the judge’s bar number. The clerk affixes the court seal next to the signature.
Plain English: this is the part that proves the order is real.
Leave this line blank. The court completes it after reviewing your petition.
For example, Maria Lopez leaves the line blank, files the petition, and returns three days later to pick up the signed order with Hon. Janelle R. Lawless and bar number P56789 printed and signed.
A nuance: some counties allow the probate register to sign in place of the judge for routine PC 622 orders; the order is equally valid.
The common mistake is asking the judge to sign before the filing fee is paid. The clerk holds the order until payment clears.
A misconception: filers think a notary can sign in place of the judge. A notary cannot. Only a judicial officer of the probate court may sign.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Three filers walk through PC 622 below. Each scenario uses a 2-column table that mirrors the order in which the form fields appear.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Surviving Spouse Searching for a Will and Burial Deed
Maria’s husband Robert died at home in Lansing. She knows he kept the original 2019 will and a paid burial deed in box B-417 at Lake Trust Credit Union.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF INGHAM |
| Estate of | ROBERT JAMES LOPEZ, DOD 03/14/2026, 412 Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48912 |
| Petitioner (¶1) | Maria Elena Lopez, 412 Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48912, (517) 555-0142, surviving spouse |
| Bank (¶2) | Lake Trust Credit Union, 501 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Box and reason (¶3) | Box B-417; decedent stored 2019 will and Mt. Hope burial deed in box, per his 2025 written instructions |
| Request (¶4) | Printed language left intact (will + burial deed) |
| Petitioner signature | /s/ Maria Elena Lopez, 03/22/2026 |
| Filing fee | $20 motion fee paid by debit card at the Ingham County Probate counter |
| Order blanks | Lake Trust Credit Union, Box B-417 (judge signs the rest) |
Scenario 2: David Chen, Adult Son of an Unmarried Decedent Looking for a Burial Deed
David’s mother Linda died in Grand Rapids. She was divorced and lived alone. David has no copy of any will but believes she kept the deed to her cemetery plot in box 1029 at Fifth Third Bank downtown.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF KENT |
| Estate of | LINDA SUE CHEN, DOD 04/02/2026, 88 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 |
| Petitioner (¶1) | David Wei Chen, 1422 Plymouth Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, (616) 555-0188, adult son |
| Bank (¶2) | Fifth Third Bank, N.A., 111 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Box and reason (¶3) | Box 1029; decedent told son in 2024 that the Woodlawn Cemetery deed was kept inside |
| Request (¶4) | Strikes “will” with a single line and initials DC; leaves “burial deed” intact |
| Petitioner signature | /s/ David Wei Chen, 04/05/2026 |
| Filing fee | $20 motion fee paid by check at the Kent County Probate counter |
| Order blanks | Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Box 1029 |
Scenario 3: Janet Brooks, Named Executor Holding Only a Photocopy of the Will
Janet has a photocopy of her aunt’s will naming Janet as personal representative. The original is in box A-12 at Bank of America in Troy. The aunt also had a Northwestern Mutual life insurance policy payable to Janet’s brother.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT, COUNTY OF OAKLAND |
| Estate of | EVELYN MARIE BROOKS, DOD 05/01/2026, 2200 Birchwood, Troy, MI 48084 |
| Petitioner (¶1) | Janet Lee Brooks, 700 Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009, (248) 555-0113, niece and nominated personal representative under copy of 2018 will |
| Bank (¶2) | Bank of America, N.A., 800 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084 |
| Box and reason (¶3) | Box A-12; decedent confirmed in 2025 letter that the original 2018 will and Northwestern Mutual policy #NM-44219 were kept in the box |
| Request (¶4) | Printed language left intact (will + policy) |
| Petitioner signature | /s/ Janet Lee Brooks, 05/04/2026 |
| Filing fee | $20 motion fee paid via MiFILE e-filing |
| Order blanks | Bank of America, N.A., Box A-12 |
How to File the Completed Form
Michigan probate courts accept PC 622 through three channels. Pick the one that fits your county and your timeline.
In person at the probate court counter. Bring the completed petition, the certified death certificate, and the filing fee. Most counties charge a $20 motion fee, and counters accept cash, check, debit, or credit card (with a small processing surcharge). The clerk stamps the petition, routes it to the judge, and most signed orders come back within one to three business days. Keep the time-stamped copy as your proof of filing. Counter addresses are listed on the Michigan One Court of Justice court directory.
By U.S. mail. Send the original petition, a self-addressed stamped envelope, the certified death certificate, and a check made out to the County Probate Court. Use certified mail with return receipt so you can prove delivery. Mailed petitions take 5 to 10 business days to come back signed, longer in busy counties. Keep the green return receipt as proof of filing.
Electronically through MiFILE. In counties on the e-filing system, log in to the MiFILE portal, upload the signed PDF, upload the death certificate as a separate exhibit, and pay the $20 court fee plus a small TrueFiling convenience fee. The signed order is returned to your MiFILE inbox, usually within one business day in counties like Oakland and Macomb. Download the file-stamped order and print two copies, one for the bank and one for your records.
Whatever channel you use, the proof of filing is the time-stamp on the petition or the e-filing receipt. The bank will not honor a copy without the court seal or a verified e-filing stamp, so guard the original.
What Happens After You File
Once the judge signs the order, the clerk releases the original to you, mails it to the address you provided, or posts it to your MiFILE inbox. Take the signed original (or a certified copy) and your photo ID to the bank branch named in the order. Call the safe deposit department first; many branches require an appointment, especially after a customer’s death.
At the bank, an officer escorts you to the vault and opens the box with you watching. You may remove only the will, the burial deed, and any life insurance policy payable to a named beneficiary. The officer makes a written inventory of every item removed and every item left behind, signs it, and within 7 days mails or delivers a copy of that inventory to the probate court under MCL 700.2517(2). The will then goes directly to the probate register, not to you, even if you are the named executor.
If the box does not contain a will, the box is resealed and stays sealed until a personal representative is appointed and presents Letters of Authority (PC 572). If the box contains a will, the probate register accepts it for safekeeping and notifies the named personal representative. The next probate step is usually opening informal or formal proceedings under MCL 700.3301.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing in the wrong county. Filing where the bank sits instead of where the decedent lived sends the petition to the wrong venue and the clerk rejects it.
- Listing the wrong box number. A one-digit error voids the order at the vault.
- Naming a branch that does not hold the box. The bank will not transfer the order between branches.
- Using a nickname instead of the legal name in Estate of. The death certificate name controls; a mismatch blocks entry.
- Skipping paragraph 3’s reason. Without a reason, the judge has no statutory basis to sign.
- Checking all three categories (will, burial deed, policy) when only one applies. Over-claiming triggers extra hearings.
- Signing on the judge’s line. The petition is treated as unsigned and is rejected.
- Forgetting to attach the certified death certificate. The order will not issue without it.
- Paying with personal cash and not getting a receipt. Without proof of payment, the order is held back.
- Removing items beyond what the statute allows. Pulling out cash or jewelry can be a misdemeanor under MCL 700.2517 and grounds for removal as personal representative.
- Filing in blue ink or pencil. Probate clerks scan in black-and-white and reject low-contrast forms.
- Letting the petition sit unfiled for weeks. Some banks freeze access entirely after they learn of the death, and a delay forces the funeral home to wait.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do call the bank’s safe deposit department first to confirm the exact box number and branch, because that one phone call prevents the most common rejection.
- Do file in the county where the decedent lived, because MCR 5.120 controls venue.
- Do bring the certified death certificate, not a photocopy, because the court keeps the certified original.
- Do sign in black ink, because clerks reject blue-ink and pencil forms on sight.
- Do keep a date-stamped copy of the petition, because the bank may ask to see it at the appointment.
- Do read paragraph 4 word for word, because the printed language is what makes the order enforceable under MCL 700.2517.
Don’t:
- Don’t file before you have the box number, because a blank box number forces the bank to refuse access.
- Don’t sign on the judge’s line, because that voids the petition.
- Don’t remove anything other than the will, the burial deed, or the policy, because doing so is a misdemeanor.
- Don’t tell the bank you are coming alone; a bank officer must witness the search, and walk-ins are turned away.
- Don’t lose the order; if you do, you must petition the court for a duplicate at extra cost.
- Don’t wait for letters of authority before filing PC 622, because the form exists because no personal representative has been appointed yet.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se:
- It costs only the $20 court fee, which saves several hundred dollars in attorney time.
- The form is one page, which most family members can complete in 30 minutes.
- You learn the local probate counter’s procedures, which helps when the full estate is opened later.
- You move fast; a pro se filer can often file the same day the bank confirms the box.
- You keep direct control of the death certificate and the original will.
Cons of filing pro se (pros of hiring help):
- An attorney catches venue and standing errors that pro se filers miss.
- An attorney’s appearance lets the bank skip extra ID checks at the vault.
- An attorney can file PC 622 together with the estate-opening petition (PC 558) to save a hearing.
- Filers under emotional stress often misread paragraph 3 and over-claim, which an attorney will not.
- Attorneys with MiFILE accounts get next-day signed orders, while pro se mail filers wait a week.
PC 622 vs. PC 572: Which Form Do You Need First?
| Form | When to Use |
|---|---|
| PC 622 (Petition and Order to Open Safe Deposit Box) | Use before any estate is opened, when you need a will, burial deed, or insurance policy locked inside the decedent’s box. |
| PC 572 (Letters of Authority for Personal Representative) | Use after an estate is opened and the personal representative needs full access to bank accounts and remaining box contents. |
FAQs
Do I need to be the personal representative to file PC 622?
No. Any interested person under MCL 700.1105(c) — heirs, devisees, named executors, creditors — can file PC 622. No letters of authority are needed first.
Does PC 622 require notarization?
No. The verification at the bottom carries the same weight as a notary under MCR 1.109(D)(3). A few county clerks still ask for notarization; comply if asked.
How much does it cost to file PC 622?
Yes, there is a fee — the standard motion fee in most Michigan probate courts is $20, plus a small e-filing surcharge if you use MiFILE. Always check your county’s fee schedule.
Can I write the box number as “unknown”?
Yes, if you have a key but no number, write “Box number unknown; key in petitioner’s possession,” and attach a photo. Most probate courts accept this and the bank matches the key.
Do I write my legal name or my nickname in paragraph 1?
Yes, use your legal name as it appears on your driver’s license, because the bank cross-checks the name on the order against your photo ID before opening the vault.
Can I take cash or jewelry out of the box during the search?
No. MCL 700.2517 limits removals to the will, burial deed, and life insurance policy. Removing other items is a misdemeanor and grounds for removal as PR.
Do I sign the order section?
No. The petitioner signs only the petition signature line. The judge or probate register signs the order. Signing the judge’s line voids the order.
How long does it take to get the signed order back?
Yes, expect 1 to 3 business days for in-person filings, 5 to 10 business days for mail, and often 1 business day for MiFILE submissions in e-filing counties.
Do I file in the county where the bank is or where the decedent lived?
No, do not file where the bank is. File in the county where the decedent lived, because MCR 5.120 controls probate venue.
Can the funeral director file PC 622 on my behalf?
Yes, if the funeral director holds a written authorization from an interested person, but most courts prefer the interested person sign directly to avoid standing challenges later.
Do I need to list other interested persons on PC 622?
No, PC 622 itself does not require a notice list, but the Wayne County Probate Court and a few others ask for one in a separate attachment, so always check local rules.
What if the box turns out to be empty?
Yes, the bank still files an inventory with the court within 7 days under MCL 700.2517(2), the box is resealed, and you proceed to open the estate without the documents you hoped to find.
Can I file PC 622 if the decedent lived out of state but had a Michigan box?
Yes, file in the Michigan county where the box is located, because Michigan venue rules treat the situs of the box as the basis for ancillary jurisdiction over its contents.
What if I find more than one will in the box?
Yes, the bank gives all wills to the probate register, who keeps them for safekeeping. The court later determines which will controls when probate is opened.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 588 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 593 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 52 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 651 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 581 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 587 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs