How to Complete a Michigan Probate Petition

If someone close to you has passed away and left behind property, bank accounts, or other assets in Michigan, you'll need to go through probate before anything can be transferred to heirs. The process starts with one document the probate court petition. Filling it out wrong can delay the entire estate, cost you extra money, and cause frustration with the court. This guide walks you through each section of the Michigan probate court petition form so you can file it correctly the first time.

What Is the Michigan Probate Court Petition Form?

The form you need is PC 556 Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative. It's the official request you file with the probate court to open a decedent's estate. The petition tells the court who died, what they owned, who their heirs are, and who should be appointed to manage the estate.

Without this form, the court has no legal basis to appoint a personal representative or begin distributing assets. You can download the form directly from the Michigan Courts website.

When Do You Need to File This Petition?

You file the PC 556 petition when someone dies and leaves behind assets that require court supervision to transfer. Common situations include:

The deceased owned real estate (a home, land, or rental property)
Bank or investment accounts are held solely in the decedent's name
There are disputes among heirs about who gets what
Creditors have claims against the estate
The estate has no valid trust in place

If the estate is small enough currently under $27,000 in Michigan (adjusted periodically) you may be able to skip probate entirely and use a small estate affidavit instead. But for most estates with real property or significant assets, the petition is the starting point.

What Information Should You Gather Before You Start?

Before you pick up a pen, collect these details. Having everything in front of you will prevent errors and mid-form scrambling.

Decedent's full legal name, date of death, and county of residence
Social Security number of the deceased
Death certificate (you'll need a certified copy later, but the information on it is what you'll use now)
Will, if one exists even if you're not sure it's valid
Names, addresses, and relationships of all heirs and beneficiaries
Estimated value of the estate's assets (real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, personal property)
Your own information if you're the one petitioning to become personal representative

How to Fill Out Michigan Probate Court Petition Form Step by Step

Now let's go through the form section by section. The PC 556 is a multi-page form with numbered items. Here's what each one asks for and how to answer it.

Section 1: Court and Decedent Information (Items 1–3)

Item 1 Court information. Write the name of the county probate court where you're filing. This is usually the county where the decedent lived at the time of death. For example: "Oakland County Probate Court" or "Wayne County Probate Court."

Item 2 Decedent's name. Enter the full legal name of the person who died, exactly as it appears on the death certificate. Use their legal name, not a nickname.

Item 3 Date of death and county. Fill in the date of death and the county where the decedent was domiciled (lived permanently) at the time of death.

Section 2: Petitioner Information (Items 4–5)

Item 4 Petitioner details. This is you the person filing the petition. Enter your full name, address, and relationship to the decedent (spouse, child, sibling, etc.).

Item 5 Attorney information. If you have a lawyer, include their name, bar number, address, and phone number. If you're filing without an attorney, write "self-represented" or leave this section blank per your court's local instructions.

Section 3: Type of Proceeding and Personal Representative (Items 6–8)

Item 6 Type of estate proceeding. Check the box that applies. The most common options are:

Testate the decedent left a valid will
Intestate the decedent did not leave a will

Item 7 Will filing. If a will exists, attach the original to the petition. Check the appropriate box indicating whether the will has been filed or will be filed separately.

Item 8 Appointment of personal representative. Name the person who should be appointed to manage the estate. If there's a will, this person is often named in the will as the executor. If there's no will, Michigan law gives priority to surviving spouses, then children, then other heirs. Enter the full name and address of the proposed personal representative.

Section 4: Heirs and Beneficiaries (Items 9–11)

Item 9 Surviving spouse and children. List the decedent's surviving spouse (if any), all children (including stepchildren if relevant to the will), and their addresses. Be thorough. Omitting an heir is one of the most common problems and one of the mistakes we cover in our guide to avoiding probate form errors.

Item 10 Other interested persons. List any other people with a legal interest in the estate this could include beneficiaries named in the will who aren't children, or heirs under intestate succession laws.

Item 11 Names and addresses. Provide complete mailing addresses for every person you've listed. The court uses these addresses to send legal notices.

Section 5: Estate Assets (Items 12–13)

Item 12 Estimated value of estate assets. Provide your best estimate of the total value of the probate estate. This includes:

Real property (use fair market value)
Bank accounts in the decedent's name alone
Vehicles, boats, and other titled property
Personal property, investments, and business interests

You don't need exact figures yet the court will later require a detailed accounting. For now, reasonable estimates are acceptable. Once appointed, you'll file an estate inventory form with more precise values.

Item 13 Type of authority requested. Check the box indicating what authority you're requesting for the personal representative. Options include:

Full authority gives the personal representative broad powers to manage and distribute the estate
Limited authority restricts certain actions without prior court approval

Full authority under Michigan's probate code (MCL 700.3715) is the most common request and lets the personal representative act more efficiently.

Section 6: Bonds and Special Requests (Items 14–16)

Item 14 Bond. A bond is a type of insurance that protects the estate if the personal representative mismanages funds. Many wills waive the bond requirement. If the will waives it, check that box. If there's no will, the court may still waive the bond if all heirs consent, or the personal representative is a bank or trust company.

Item 15 Special requests. If you need the court to grant any special powers such as the power to sell real estate indicate that here.

Item 16 Prior proceedings. If any prior probate or guardianship proceedings were opened for this decedent, list the case number and court.

Section 7: Signature and Verification (Items 17–18)

Item 17 Signature. Sign and date the petition. Your signature must be notarized or signed under penalty of perjury, depending on the court's local requirements.

Item 18 Verification. The verification section confirms that everything you've stated is true to the best of your knowledge. Read it carefully before signing. Filing false information with the court is a serious matter.

What Happens After You File the Petition?

Once you file the completed petition with the probate court and pay the filing fee (typically $150–$175 in Michigan, though it varies by county), the court will:

Review the petition for completeness and accuracy
Schedule a hearing usually 2 to 4 weeks after filing
Serve notice to all interested persons listed in the petition
Hear the petition at the hearing, the judge will either grant or deny the petition
Issue Letters of Authority if approved, this document officially appoints the personal representative and gives them legal power to act on behalf of the estate

After receiving Letters of Authority, the personal representative can access bank accounts, pay debts, and begin transferring assets. You'll need to complete additional forms throughout the process our instructions for personal representatives cover the full set.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make on This Form?

Small errors cause big delays. Here are the issues that trip people up most often:

Listing incomplete addresses for heirs the court needs full addresses to send notice, and incomplete information can stall the case
Forgetting to attach the original will if a will exists and you don't include it, the court will ask for it before proceeding
Underestimating or overestimating estate value wildly inaccurate estimates raise red flags with the judge
Not naming all heirs even estranged family members must be listed. Missing an heir can result in the case being reopened later
Using the wrong county you must file in the county where the decedent was domiciled, not necessarily where they died or where their property is located
Forgetting the filing fee bring a check or money order, as not all courts accept cash or cards

For a broader list of pitfalls, see our article on common mistakes when completing Michigan probate forms.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Fill Out This Form?

Michigan law doesn't require you to have an attorney for probate proceedings, and many people handle straightforward estates on their own. However, consider hiring a probate attorney if:

The estate involves real estate in multiple counties or states
There are disputes among heirs
Creditors are making large claims
The estate has significant tax implications
You're unsure whether the will is valid

Even a one-time consultation with a probate attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes that delay the process by weeks or months.

Quick Checklist Before You Submit Your Petition

✅ Downloaded the current version of Form PC 556 from the Michigan Courts website
✅ Gathered the death certificate, will (if any), and decedent's personal information
✅ Listed all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested persons with full addresses
✅ Provided a reasonable estimate of total estate value
✅ Selected the correct type of proceeding (testate or intestate)
✅ Named the proposed personal representative and indicated bond preference
✅ Signed and had the signature notarized or verified as required
✅ Attached the original will, if one exists
✅ Prepared the filing fee (check your county's specific amount)
✅ Made copies one for the court, one for your records, and copies for interested parties

Next step: File your petition with the county probate court where the decedent lived, attend the scheduled hearing, and once you receive your Letters of Authority, begin gathering asset information to prepare the estate inventory the court will require. Keep every document organized from day one it saves significant time later in the process.