Closing Procedures -
Decedents Estate
Checklist

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION (DE case type)
An estate in unsupervised administration can be closed by filing a “Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration” (PC 591), a “Sworn Closing Statement, Summary Proceeding, Small Estate” (PC 590), or a “Petition for Complete Estate Settlement” (PC 593).

SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION (DA case type)
An estate in supervised administration must be closed by filing a “Petition and Order for Complete Estate Settlement” (PC 593).

Note: FOR ALL ESTATES – Prior to submitting any closing paperwork to the court, the inventory must be filed or presented with the inventory fee calculation verified by the court* and the inventory fee must be paid. (*The court can only verify the inventory fee calculation when supporting documents sufficient to prove the value of the assets and liens as of date of death have been submitted to the court. The court will mark the inventory fee calculation as PARTIAL if the asset and lien values are not verified and FULL if the asset and lien values are verified.) Check your inventory fee status on Case Access prior to submitting any closing paperwork to the court. .

For supervised estates (DA case type), An Inventory (PC577) and Final Account of Fiduciary (Short or Long Form, PC583 or PC584) must be filed for as part of the closing process.

Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration

1. Fill out the following form:
   PC 591, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration
   Important Note #1: You MUST use these forms; you cannot draft your own document.
   
   
2. Make sure all of the following is true:
   i. It has been at least 5 months since the personal representative was appointed.
   ii. Notice to creditors was published and the time for presentation of creditors’ claims has expired.
   iii. The full inventory fee has been verified (marked "FULL") and paid.
   iv. An accounting in writing has been given to all the persons receiving estate assets and all creditors whose claims were not paid and are not barred. The account must clearly state the amount paid out of the estate in fiduciary fees, attorney fees and other professional fees.
   v. A copy of the sworn statement has been given to all the persons receiving estate assets and all creditors whose claims were not paid and are not barred.
   
   Note: The accounting does not have to be filed with the court, and no particular form is required. However, a personal representative can use the Account of Fiduciary, Short Form PC583 or Account of Fiduciary, Long Form PC584.
   
3. Click here to find out how you can file your sworn statement
   
   
4. Submit your completed document to the Court (as one PDF if submitting electronically)
   
   
5. There is NO Filing fee to submit the sworn statement.
   

Sworn Closing Statement, Summary Proceeding, Small Estate

Note: This form can only be used if the value of the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, did not exceed administration costs and expenses, reasonable funeral and burial expenses, homestead allowance, family allowance, exempt property, and the reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the decedent's last illness; See Year (EPIC Cost of Living Adjustments) for reference.

1. Fill out the following form:
   PC 590, Sworn Closing Statement, Summary Proceeding, Small Estate
   Important Note #1: You MUST use these forms; you cannot draft your own document.
2. Make sure all of the following are true:
   1. It has been at least 5 months since the personal representative was appointed.
   2. Notice to creditors was published and the time for presentation of creditors’ claims has expired.
   3. The full inventory fee has been verified (marked "FULL") and paid.
   4. An accounting in writing has been given to all the persons receiving estate assets and all creditors whose claims were not paid and are not barred. The account must clearly state the amount paid out of the estate in fiduciary fees, attorney fees and other professional fees. A copy of the sworn closing statement has been given to all the persons receiving estate assets and all creditors whose claims were not paid and are not barred.

Note: The accounting does not have to be filed with the court, and no particular form is required. However, a personal representative can use the Account of Fiduciary, Short Form PC583 or Account of Fiduciary, Long Form PC584.

3. Click here to find out how you can file your sworn statement
4. Submit your completed document to the Court (as one PDF if submitting electronically)
   
5. There is NO Filing fee to submit the sworn statement.
   

Certificate of Completion

1. If no objections are filed within 28 days of filing the Sworn Statement or the Sworn Closing Statement with the Court, a Certificate of Completion will be entered.
   1. For all Sworn Statements to Close Unsupervised Administration (PC591) and Sworn Closing Statements, Summary Proceedings, Small Estates (PC590) that have been accepted for filing by the Court beginning on September 14, 2022 and going forward, the Court will automatically enter the Certificate of Completion (PC592) after 28 days have passed from filing. Please do not submit a proposed Certificate of Completion.
   2. For any Sworn Statements or Sworn Closing Statements accepted for filing prior to September 14, 2022, you may email a request for entry of a Certificate of Completion (PC 592) to the Court at chiefdepreg@wcpc.us; but the Certificate of Completion is not necessary to close the estate.
   3. See the Court’s website under Case Access to obtain the copy of the Certificate of Completion once it is entered.
      
      Note: The estate will be listed as “open” on the court’s case management system for one year after filing the Sworn Statement. The PR’s appointment can be “revived” and an updated Letter of Authority can then be obtained during this time period by filing a Notice of Continued Administration. A new Sworn Statement to Close or Petition for Complete Estate Settlement would then be required to close the case after that point.

Petition for Complete Estate Settlement

1. Fill out the following forms:
   PC 593, Petition for Complete Estate Settlement
   PC 596, Schedule of Distribution and Payment of Claims
   
   Note: An Inventory PC577 and Final Account of Fiduciary (Short or Long Form, PC583 or PC584) must be filed for all estates in supervised administration (DA case type) as part of the closing process. For all other estates, these forms may be filed with the court but if not, the inventory and an accounting in writing must be given to all interested persons, including creditors. The accounting must clearly state the amount paid of the estate for fiduciary fees, attorney fees, and other professional fees.
   Important Note #1: You MUST use these forms; you cannot draft your own document.
   Important Note #2: This petition cannot be filed until after the estate’s claims period has passed.
2. Make sure all of the following is true:
1. It has been at least 5 months since the personal representative was appointed.
2. Notice to creditors was published and the time for presentation of creditors’ claims has expired.
3. The full inventory fee has been verified (marked “FULL”) and paid.
   
   
3. Click here to find out how you can file your petition.
   
   
4. Submit your documents to the Court in the following order (as one PDF if submitting electronically):
   WCPC99, Petitioner Filing Coversheet
   PC 593, Petition for Complete Estate Settlement
   PC 596, Schedule of Distribution and Payment of Claims
   Note: Addresses of all interested persons must be listed on petition.
   
   
5. Filing Fee
   i. $20 Filing Fee
   ii. If you file electronically or by fax, you will receive a notification to pay with the amount of your total fees, once your filing has been accepted.
   iii. Fees can be paid:
   
   1.) electronically via ePayment online or
   2.) via mail by CHECK (no out-of-state checks)or MONEY ORDER
   3.) Make checks payable to: “Wayne County Probate Court”
   4.) Mail checks/money order along with a letter with your case # referencing what the payment is for to:
   
   Wayne County Probate Court
   1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
   2 Woodward Ave.
   Detroit, MI 48226
   
   Note: Once accepted for filing refunds will not be given.
   
6. Hearing Date
   i. Once fee is paid you will be sent notice of hearing information, including ZOOM instructions.
   ii. You must serve a copy of the petition and the hearing information on all the interested persons.
   iii. Hearings are being conducted by ZOOM unless otherwise specified by the court.
   iv.You must attend the ZOOM hearing or your petition will be dismissed.
   
   
7. Order for Complete Estate Settlement
   i. After the hearing, if your petition has been granted, you may request a certified copy or copy of the Order of Complete Estate Settlement for a fee.
   ii. Click here to order a copy.
   
   
8. Order of Discharge (Optional)
   If you also want an Order of Discharge PC 597, the following additional forms (and Proof of Service PC 564 that they were given to all interested persons) must also be filed:
   i. PC 577, Inventory
   ii. PC 583, Account of Fiduciary, Short Form or PC 584, Account of Fiduciary, Long Form
   iii. PC 573, Notice of Appointment and Duties of Personal Representative
   iv. PC 576, Notice Regarding Attorney Fees (if applicable)
   v. PC 581, Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election (if applicable)
   
   After either a court hearing with proper notice to all interested persons or upon filing Waiver and Consents PC 561 from all interested persons, the probate court may enter an order determining the persons entitled to distribution of the estate under the will, and\or approving settlement, directing or approving estate distribution, and discharging the personal representative.
   
   After the personal representative pays the claims and makes the distributions as listed on the Schedule of Distribution and Payment of Claims PC 596, the court will issue an Order of Discharge PC 597 and close the estate if it is satisfied that the administration is complete.
   
   

Rev. 05/2024