Michigan Executor and Estate Kit: the $53,000 Small Estate Route After 29 Days, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in Michigan. Handed to the bank or other holder. Presented to whoever owes the debt or holds the property, with the death certificate; no court filing.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in Michigan, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: Michigan Courts form PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent (4/24); MCL 700.2502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (Michigan Legislature).
• All 11 Michigan facts are confirmed on an official page.

What is inside

• Michigan small estate route. $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. Real estate in the person's name alone takes the estate out of this procedure. 29 days. More than 28 days after the death. Signed before a notary. The court form is sworn before a notary; it allows electronic or remote notarization. Handed to the bank or other holder. Presented to whoever owes the debt or holds the property, with the death certificate; no court filing. 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. 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.
• How a Michigan will had to be signed. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment. Allowed. The county probate page describes sworn statements before an officer authorized to administer oaths, or a signed statement under penalty of perjury instead. Recognized if dated and the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting. A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
• Michigan estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $53,000, picking the figure for the date of death, dates day 29 after the death and flags real estate in the person's name alone, which rules the route out.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order with day 29 marked, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.