What to Do When Someone Dies in Michigan
Step-by-step guide for the first days and weeks after a death in Michigan, including death certificates, will handling, county probate court checks, and early asset-transfer decisions.
Use this timeline to handle immediate post-death tasks in the right order before you move into probate, asset transfer, or executor paperwork.
Sources
- Michigan Courts - SCAO Probate Court Forms, accessed 2026-06-03
- MCL 700.2516 - Delivery of will or codicil by custodian, accessed 2026-06-03
- MCL 700.3983 - Collection of personal property by sworn statement, accessed 2026-06-03
- MCL 700.3801 - Notice of creditors, accessed 2026-06-03
If You Are the Named Executor in Michigan
In plain terms: if you have the will, send it to the probate court promptly. There is no fixed day-count, but do not sit on it. Order death certificates and sort the urgent family tasks alongside it. The details below explain exactly how.
If you are the named personal representative or likely applicant for a Michigan estate, start by separating urgent family tasks from court authority, county filing instructions, and asset-transfer decisions. Michigan uses county probate courts and statewide SCAO forms, but county courts may still have local packet, copy, fee, hearing, and e-filing requirements.
- Forward the original will to the proper court with reasonable promptness
MCL 700.2516 requires a person who has possession or care of a will or codicil to forward it to the court with reasonable promptness after the testator dies. This is an early standalone task even if the family is still deciding whether probate must be opened.
Statute: MCL 700.2516
- Order certified Michigan death certificates
Banks, insurers, probate courts, title agencies, and the Michigan Secretary of State may ask for certified death certificates. Order through the funeral home or Michigan MDHHS vital records process, and track which certified copy goes to each organization.
- Check the county probate court before filling out SCAO forms
Michigan Courts publishes statewide SCAO probate forms, including PC 556, PC 558, PC 559, and PC 598. County probate courts may still require local instructions, copies, filing fees, payment procedures, hearing notices, or e-filing steps.
- Choose between small-estate, informal, and formal paths
Michigan has a petition and order for assignment path under MCL 700.3982, a successor sworn-statement path for qualifying personal property under MCL 700.3983 after the statutory wait period, and informal or formal probate paths when appointment authority is needed.
Statute: MCL 700.3982 and MCL 700.3983
- Do not distribute assets until title and creditor questions are clear
Before moving estate property, separate beneficiary-designated assets from probate assets, check vehicle and real estate title requirements, identify known creditors, and keep records of notices, claims, receipts, and expenses.
Statute: MCL 700.3801
Start with the urgent practical tasks, then move into court, creditor, and asset questions once the immediate arrangements are under control.
Timeline of Tasks
Start with the immediate tasks. Open each later phase as you reach it.
First 24-48 Hours
First Week
First Month
Ongoing Estate Tasks
Who to Notify
Documents to Gather
Death Certificates
Many estates start with 10-15 certified copies because banks, insurers, property-transfer contacts, and agencies may ask for them.
How to get death certificates →Will & Trust Documents
Look in safe deposit boxes, home safes, attorney files, and records folders.
Probate guide →Financial Statements
Bank statements, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and recent tax returns.
Asset transfer guide →What Comes Next?
After the first 30 days, you may need to start probate or transfer assets. Use the Michigan assessment to sort what may apply.
More Michigan Resources
Explore the rest of the Michigan probate hub.