Best Family Law Attorneys in Canton, MI

Michigan Decedent Estate page 1 of 3 In Michigan, a decedent's estate refers to the property, assets, and liabilities left behind by a person who has passed away. Managing a decedent's estate involves various legal and administrative processes to settle the deceased person's affairs and distribute their assets to heirs or beneficiaries. Here are some key points about decedent estates in Michigan: 1. Probate Process: In Michigan, the probate process is the legal process by which a decedent's estate is administered and distributed. Probate typically involves: - Identifying and inventorying the decedent's assets and debts. - Paying outstanding debts, taxes, and administration expenses. - Distributing the remaining assets to heirs or beneficiaries according to the decedent's will or Michigan intestate succession laws if there is no will. 2. Personal Representative: The person responsible for managing the probate process is called the personal representative (also known as an executor if appointed by the will). The personal representative is appointed by the probate court and has fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. 3.Will: If the decedent had a valid will, the probate process is guided by the terms of the will. The will typically names an executor and specifies how the decedent's assets should be distributed among beneficiaries.