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The Michigan PC 558 form is a critical document used in the probate process, specifically for the application of informal probate and the appointment of a personal representative. This form is designed for individuals interested in managing the estate of a deceased person, whether they died with a will (testate) or without one (intestate). The application requires detailed information about the petitioner, including their relationship to the decedent, contact information, and relevant legal identifiers. Additionally, it necessitates comprehensive details about the decedent, such as their date of birth, date of death, and domicile at the time of death. A death certificate or alternative documentation must accompany the application. The form also prompts the applicant to list interested parties, including heirs and beneficiaries, along with their respective relationships to the decedent. Furthermore, it addresses any legal disabilities of the interested persons and confirms the proper venue for the application. The petitioner must declare whether the decedent left a will and provide information about any previously appointed personal representatives. Lastly, the form allows for the nomination of a personal representative and outlines the request for informal probate, ensuring that the estate is managed according to the decedent’s wishes and applicable laws.

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In the matter of First, middle, and last name Petitioner’s name, address and telephone no.

 

 

 

JIS Code: IPA

 

STATE OF MICHIGAN

APPLICATION FOR INFORMAL PROBATE

CASE NO. and JUDGE

 

 

PROBATE COURT

 

 

 

COUNTY

AND/OR APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL

 

 

 

 

REPRESENTATIVE (TESTATE/INTESTATE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Court address

 

Court telephone no.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petitioner’s attorney, bar no., address, and telephone no.

1.

I,

 

 

 

 

 

 

, am interested in the estate and make this application as

Name of applicant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relationship to decedent, i.e., heir, devisee, child, spouse, creditor, beneficiary, etc.

 

Put last 4 digits of SSN in

2.

Decedent information:

Put DOB in Ref. No.

row 1 on MC 97.

XXX-XX- Ref. No. row 2 on MC 97.

 

 

 

Date of death

 

Time (if known)

 

 

Date of birth

 

Last four digits of SSN

 

 

Domicile (at date of death):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City/Township/Village

 

 

 

 

County

 

 

State

3. A death certificate has been issued, and a copy accompanies this application as a separate document.

No death certificate is available. Attached is alternative documentation of the decedent’s death.

4.As far as I know or could ascertain with reasonable diligence, the names and addresses of the spouse, children, devisees, and heirs of the decedent, and other interested persons, the relationship to the decedent, and the ages of any who are minors are:

(Required testimony forms are attached.)

NAME

 

ADDRESS

 

RELATIONSHIP*

AGE

 

 

(if minor)**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

State

Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

State

Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

State

Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

State

Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Specify spouse, child, devisee, or heir.

**If person is a minor, provide the date of birth on form MC 97a and put the Ref. No. from that form in the box above with the age.

Approved, SCAO

Form PC 558, Rev. 5/21

MCL 700.1309, MCL 700.3301, MCL 700.3311, MCL 700.3614, MCR 5.302,

MCR 5.309

Page 1 of 3

Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative  (5/21) 

Case No.

Page 2 of 3

 

4.(continued)

Of the interested persons listed above, the following are under legal disability or otherwise represented and presently have or will require representation:

NAME

LEGAL DISABILITY

REPRESENTED BY

Name, address, and capacity

5. a. Venue is proper in this county because the decedent was domiciled in this county on the date of death.

b. The decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, but venue is proper in this county because property of the decedent was located in this county at the date of death.

6. a. The decedent died intestate and after exercising reasonable diligence, I am unaware of any unrevoked testamentary instrument relating to property located in this state as defined under MCL 700.1301.

b. I am aware of an unrevoked testamentary instrument relating to property located in this state as defined under MCL700.1301, but the instrument is not being probated because (if this statement is true, the probate register must deny this

application according to MCL 700.3311):

The instrument    is attached to this application.    is already in the court’s possession.

c. The decedent’s will, dated

 

 

, with codicil(s) dated

 

 

,

is/are offered for probate and   

is/are attached to this application. 

is/are already in the court’s

 

 

possession.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d. An authenticated copy of the will and codicil(s), if any, probated in

 

 

 

County,

State

is/are offered for probate, and documents establishing its probate are attached to this application.

7.To the best of my knowledge, I believe that the instrument(s) subject to this application, if any, was/were validly executed and is the decedent’s last will. After exercising reasonable diligence, I am unaware of an instrument revoking the will or codicil(s).

8.

A personal representative has been previously appointed in

 

County,

 

 

and the appointment has not been terminated. The personal

representative’s name and address are: State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

State

 

Zip

9.

I nominate

 

 

as personal representative, who is qualified and has the following

Name

 

priority for appointment:

 

 

 

. His/her address is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

City

 

State

 

Zip

 

10. Other persons have prior or equal right to appointment as personal representative. They are:

Name

Name

Name

Name

Suitable renunciations, nominations, and/or a Notice of Intent to Seek Informal Appointment and proof of its service have been or will be filed.

Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative  (5/21) 

Case No.

Page 3 of 3

 

11. The will expressly requests that the personal representative serve with bond.

12. A special personal representative is necessary because

.

I REQUEST:

13. Informal probate of the will.

14. Informal appointment of the nominated personal representative    with  without    bond.

15. The appointment of a special personal representative pending the appointment of the nominated personal representative.

I declare under the penalties of perjury that this application has been examined by me and that its contents are true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.

Date

Applicant signature

Date

Attorney signature

Form Specifications

Fact Name Details
Purpose The Michigan PC 558 form is used to apply for informal probate of a decedent's estate or to appoint a personal representative, whether the decedent died with or without a will.
Governing Laws This form is governed by several laws, including MCL 700.1309, MCL 700.3301, MCL 700.3311, and MCL 700.3614, as well as the Michigan Court Rules MCR 5.302 and MCR 5.309.
Required Information Applicants must provide personal details, including the decedent's name, date of birth, date of death, and information about interested parties, such as heirs and beneficiaries.
Death Certificate The application must include a death certificate or alternative documentation if a death certificate is unavailable.
Legal Representation If any interested persons are under legal disability, their representation must be disclosed in the application.

Michigan Pc 558: Usage Guidelines

Filling out the Michigan PC 558 form is a crucial step in initiating the probate process. This form is used to apply for informal probate and/or the appointment of a personal representative for a deceased person's estate. Accurate completion of this form is essential to ensure that the probate court can process your application without delays.

  1. Begin by entering the Petitioner’s name, including first, middle, and last name.
  2. Provide the Petitioner’s address and telephone number.
  3. Fill in the JIS Code, which is typically "IPA".
  4. Enter the Case Number and the Judge’s name in the designated fields.
  5. Include the court address and court telephone number.
  6. List the Petitioner’s attorney’s name, bar number, address, and telephone number.
  7. In the first section, state your relationship to the decedent (e.g., heir, spouse) and provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
  8. For the decedent, fill in their date of birth, date of death, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number.
  9. Provide the decedent’s domicile information, including city/township/village, county, and state at the time of death.
  10. Indicate whether a death certificate is attached or if alternative documentation is provided.
  11. List the names and addresses of the decedent’s spouse, children, devisees, heirs, and any other interested persons. Include their relationship to the decedent and ages of any minors.
  12. Identify any interested persons who are under legal disability and specify who represents them.
  13. State the reason for the venue being proper in the chosen county.
  14. Indicate whether the decedent died intestate or if there is an unrevoked testamentary instrument.
  15. Provide details about the will, including its date and whether it is attached to the application.
  16. Nominate a personal representative and provide their name and address.
  17. List any other individuals who have prior or equal rights to appointment as personal representative.
  18. Specify if the will requests that the personal representative serve with bond.
  19. If necessary, explain why a special personal representative is needed.
  20. Finally, request informal probate and/or the appointment of the nominated personal representative, indicating whether it should be with or without bond.
  21. Sign and date the application, ensuring both the applicant and attorney signatures are included.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the Michigan PC 558 form used for?

The Michigan PC 558 form is an application for informal probate and/or the appointment of a personal representative. This form is used when someone wants to manage the estate of a deceased person, either under a will (testate) or without a will (intestate). It helps initiate the legal process in the probate court.

Who can file the Michigan PC 558 form?

Any interested person can file the PC 558 form. This includes heirs, beneficiaries, spouses, or anyone who has a legal claim to the estate. The applicant must have a relationship to the deceased, such as being a child, spouse, or creditor.

What information is required on the form?

The form requires several details. You will need to provide your name, address, and relationship to the deceased. Information about the deceased is also necessary, including their name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address. Additionally, a death certificate or alternative proof of death must accompany the application.

What if the deceased had a will?

If the deceased had a will, you must indicate this on the form. You will need to provide details about the will, including its date and any codicils. If you are aware of an unrevoked will, it must be attached to the application. If the will is already in the court’s possession, you should note that as well.

What does "venue" mean in the context of the PC 558 form?

Venue refers to the appropriate location for filing the application. You must state whether the deceased was living in the county where you are filing at the time of death. If they were not, you can still file there if the deceased had property in that county.

What happens after I submit the PC 558 form?

Once you submit the form, the probate court will review it. If everything is in order, the court will grant informal probate and appoint the personal representative. This allows the appointed person to manage the estate according to the law and the wishes of the deceased.

Can I change the nominated personal representative later?

Yes, you can change the nominated personal representative. However, this typically requires filing additional documents and possibly notifying other interested parties. It’s important to follow the proper legal procedures to ensure that the change is valid and recognized by the court.

Common mistakes

  1. Incomplete Petitioner Information: Failing to provide the full name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner can lead to delays. Ensure all fields are filled out completely to avoid processing issues.

  2. Incorrect Decedent Information: Entering inaccurate details about the decedent, such as the date of birth or date of death, can cause significant problems. Double-check these dates to ensure they match official documents.

  3. Missing Death Certificate: Not including a death certificate or alternative documentation can halt the application process. Always attach the required documents to support your application.

  4. Neglecting to List Interested Persons: Omitting the names and addresses of all interested parties can lead to complications. It’s crucial to provide complete information about heirs, beneficiaries, and others involved.

  5. Improper Venue Selection: Choosing the wrong county for the application can result in rejection. Ensure that the venue is correct based on the decedent's domicile or property location at the time of death.

  6. Failure to Acknowledge Prior Appointments: Not mentioning any previously appointed personal representatives can create legal issues. Be sure to disclose any prior appointments and their status in the application.

Documents used along the form

The Michigan PC 558 form serves as an application for informal probate and the appointment of a personal representative. Alongside this form, several other documents are commonly utilized to facilitate the probate process. Each of these documents plays a critical role in ensuring that the estate is administered correctly and in accordance with state laws.

  • Death Certificate: This official document confirms the decedent's passing and is often required to accompany the PC 558 form. It provides essential information regarding the date and cause of death.
  • Will: If the decedent left a will, it must be submitted for probate. The will outlines the decedent's wishes regarding the distribution of their assets and may include any specific instructions for the personal representative.
  • MC 97 Form: This form is used to provide additional information about the decedent and the interested parties involved in the probate process. It includes details such as the decedent's date of birth and the names and relationships of heirs and beneficiaries.
  • MC 97a Form: This is a supplementary form that provides information about minors who are heirs or beneficiaries. It requires the date of birth and other relevant details to ensure proper representation.
  • Notice of Intent to Seek Informal Appointment: This document notifies interested parties of the applicant's intention to seek the appointment of a personal representative. It is essential for transparency and communication among heirs and beneficiaries.
  • Renunciation Form: If there are multiple potential personal representatives, this form allows those who do not wish to serve to formally renounce their right to appointment. This helps clarify who will take on the role.
  • Proof of Service: This document demonstrates that all interested parties have been properly notified about the probate proceedings. It is crucial for ensuring that the process adheres to legal requirements.

Each of these documents complements the Michigan PC 558 form, creating a comprehensive package that addresses the various aspects of the probate process. Properly preparing and submitting these forms can significantly streamline the administration of the decedent's estate.

Similar forms

The Michigan PC 558 form is an important document used in the probate process. It serves to apply for informal probate or the appointment of a personal representative. There are several other documents that share similarities with the PC 558 form, each serving a specific purpose within the probate and estate administration process. Below is a list of ten such documents, along with a brief explanation of how they relate to the PC 558 form.

  • Michigan PC 564 - Petition for Formal Probate: This document is used to formally initiate probate proceedings. Like the PC 558, it involves the decedent’s estate but is typically used when there are disputes or complications requiring court intervention.
  • Michigan PC 560 - Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative: This form is similar in that it seeks to appoint a personal representative. However, it is often used in more complex cases where formal proceedings are necessary.
  • Michigan PC 561 - Order for Informal Probate: This document is issued by the court following the approval of the informal probate application. It formalizes the probate process initiated by the PC 558.
  • Michigan PC 562 - Acceptance of Appointment: Once a personal representative is nominated, this form is used to formally accept the appointment. It is a follow-up to the nomination made in the PC 558.
  • Michigan PC 563 - Notice of Informal Probate: This notice is required to inform interested parties about the informal probate proceedings. It ensures that all relevant individuals are aware, similar to the notification requirements in the PC 558.
  • Michigan PC 97 - Death Certificate Information: This form is used to provide details about the decedent’s death. It complements the PC 558 by ensuring that accurate death information is submitted.
  • Michigan PC 557 - Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative: This application is similar to the PC 558 but focuses solely on the appointment of a personal representative without the probate aspect.
  • Michigan PC 574 - Waiver of Notice: This document is used by interested parties to waive their right to notice regarding the probate process. It relates to the PC 558 by potentially streamlining the process if all parties agree.
  • Michigan PC 575 - Consent to Appointment of Personal Representative: Similar to the PC 558, this form is used when interested parties consent to the appointment of a specific personal representative, ensuring clarity and agreement among heirs.
  • Michigan PC 578 - Inventory of Estate: This document is required after the appointment of a personal representative. It details the assets of the estate, which is essential for the administration process initiated by the PC 558.

Understanding these related documents can help navigate the probate process more effectively. Each form plays a role in ensuring that the decedent's estate is managed according to their wishes and the law.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Michigan PC 558 form, it’s essential to be thorough and accurate. Here are some important do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

  • Do provide complete and accurate information about the decedent, including their full name, date of birth, and date of death.
  • Do attach a copy of the death certificate or alternative documentation if the death certificate is not available.
  • Do list all interested parties, including their relationships to the decedent and ages if they are minors.
  • Do ensure that you specify if any interested persons have legal disabilities and provide their representation details.
  • Don't leave any sections blank; incomplete forms can lead to delays in processing.
  • Don't forget to sign and date the application, as missing signatures can invalidate the submission.

Misconceptions

  • Misconception 1: The Michigan PC 558 form can only be used for testate estates.

    This is not true. The form is applicable for both testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) estates. It allows individuals to apply for informal probate regardless of whether the decedent left behind a will.

  • Misconception 2: A death certificate is always required to file the form.

    While a death certificate is typically required, there are exceptions. If a death certificate is unavailable, alternative documentation can be provided. This flexibility helps ensure that the application process can proceed even in difficult circumstances.

  • Misconception 3: Only family members can file the Michigan PC 558 form.

    This is incorrect. Anyone who has a legal interest in the estate, such as creditors or beneficiaries, can file the application. This broadens the scope of who can initiate the probate process.

  • Misconception 4: The form guarantees that the nominated personal representative will be appointed.

    Filing the Michigan PC 558 form does not automatically ensure that the nominated personal representative will be appointed. Other interested parties may have equal or prior rights, and the court will consider all relevant factors before making a decision.

Key takeaways

Filling out the Michigan PC 558 form is a crucial step in the probate process. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • The form is used for informal probate and/or the appointment of a personal representative, whether the decedent left a will (testate) or did not (intestate).
  • Provide complete and accurate information about the decedent, including their full name, date of birth, and date of death.
  • Include your relationship to the decedent, such as heir, beneficiary, or creditor, to establish your interest in the estate.
  • A death certificate must be submitted with the application. If unavailable, alternative documentation should be attached.
  • List all interested persons, including their names, addresses, relationships to the decedent, and ages if they are minors.
  • Indicate if any interested persons are under legal disability and require representation.
  • Venue is determined by the decedent’s domicile at the time of death or the location of their property in Michigan.
  • State whether the decedent died intestate or if there is an unrevoked will. If a will exists, it must be attached or noted as already in court possession.
  • Nominate a personal representative, ensuring they are qualified and listing their address. Be aware of any other individuals with equal rights to appointment.

Completing the Michigan PC 558 form accurately is essential for a smooth probate process. Ensure all required documents are attached to avoid delays.