Short answer. Up to $53,000 (from January 1, 2026); 29 days after the death; notarized; handed to the holder.
At a glance
- Limit
- $50,000 adjusted each year: $53,000 for deaths in 2026, $51,000 for deaths in 2025 (Treasury notice of January 30, 2026). No real property can be in the estate.
- Wait after death
- More than 28 days after the death.
- Notary
- The court form is sworn before a notary; it allows electronic or remote notarization.
- Where it goes
- Presented to whoever owes the debt or holds the property, with the death certificate; no court filing.
- Official form
- PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent. State Court Administrative Office form, revised 4/24, under MCL 700.3983. Open it
- Simplified procedure
- Court order distributing small estates (MCL 700.3982). For an estate of $50,000 or less (adjusted yearly), the probate court may order the property turned over to the surviving spouse or heirs after funeral and burial costs are paid.
Limit by date of death
- January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025: $51,000
- January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026: $53,000
In the official wording
Limit
"does not exceed $50,000, adjusted annually as provided in MCL 700.1210"
Wait
"More than 28 days have passed since decedent's death."
Notary
"Subscribed and sworn to before me on"
Three example estates
For a death on November 7, 2025, the stated limit gives:
- $12,800: under the stated limit. See why
- $45,900: under the stated limit. See why
- $76,500: over the stated limit. See why
Your own numbers: open the checker for this state.
Worth knowing
"More than 28 days" means the 29th day after the death is the first day it can be used. A petition for assignment can't already be on file with a court.
Where an affidavit has to be notarized or sworn: MCC Solutions notarizes in New Jersey, with a mobile notary who comes to you and remote online notarization. Elsewhere, a local notary can help.
Official sources
- Michigan Courts form PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent (4/24) (checked November 2026)
- Michigan Department of Treasury: EPIC cost-of-living adjustments notice, January 30, 2026 (PDF) (checked November 2026)
- MCL 700.3983 (Michigan Legislature) (checked November 2026)
- MCL 700.3982, Court order distributing small estates (Michigan Legislature) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Each holder may still ask for its own form, and a lawyer can confirm whether the estate qualifies.
Common questions
What is the small estate limit in Michigan?
Up to $53,000 (from January 1, 2026). $50,000 adjusted each year: $53,000 for deaths in 2026, $51,000 for deaths in 2025 (Treasury notice of January 30, 2026). No real property can be in the estate.
How long after a death can the Michigan affidavit be used?
29 days. More than 28 days after the death.
Does a Michigan small estate affidavit need a notary?
Yes. The court form is sworn before a notary; it allows electronic or remote notarization.
Is it filed with a court in Michigan?
No. Presented to whoever owes the debt or holds the property, with the death certificate; no court filing.
Can real estate pass this way in Michigan?
Owning it rules the procedure out.
Is there an official Michigan form?
PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent. State Court Administrative Office form, revised 4/24, under MCL 700.3983.
All states: small estate affidavit by state · Connecticut · Nevada · Small estate affidavit: signing and notary checks