Filing Procedures -
Decedents Estate - Petition
Checklist

1. Gather the following documents:
   Death Certificate
   Will of decedent, if applicable ( the original will must be submitted via mail to the court within 14 days of submitting the electronic copy of the will)
2. Fill out the following forms:
   1. PC559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate)
      Video instructions for filling out the petition
   2. PC 617, Declaration of Intent to Give Notice by Publication. Complete a seperate form PC 617 for each person to be notified by publiation
   3. MC 505, Contact Information. This must be completed with the email and phone number of the petitioner and filed in order to schedule a hearing.
   4. MC 97, Protected Personal Identifying Information
   5. PC565, Testimony, Interested Persons
   6. PC566, Supplemental Testimony, Interested Persons, Testate Estate (use only if decedent died with a will and named nonheirs as devisees)
   7. PC571, Acceptance of Appointment
   8. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information
      Important Note: You MUST use these forms; you cannot draft your own document.
      
      
3. Click here to find out how you can file your petition.
   
   
4. Submit your completed documents to the Court in the following order (as one PDF if submitting electronically):
1. WCPC99, Petitioner Filing Coversheet
2. MC 505, Contact Information
3. PC559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Testate/Intestate)
   - Note: Addresses of all interested persons must be listed on petition. If missing addresses for any interested persons, after you receive the hearing information, you must arrange for publication. Click here for more information.
4. PC 617, Declaration of Intent to Give Notice by Publication
5. PC565, Testimony, Interested Persons
6. PC566, Supplemental Testimony, Interested Persons, Testate Estate (may not be required in every case)
7. PC571, Acceptance of Appointment
8. Copy of Death Certificate (or alternative documentation of death) with all Protected Personal Identifying Information redacted pursuant to MCR 5.302
9. Copy of Will (if applicable) with all Protected Personal Identifying Information redacted pursuant to MCR 5.302
10. MC 97, Protected Personal Identifying Information with the decedent’s information
11. MC 97a, Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information with the nominated personal representative’s information
12. Death Certificate or alternative documentation of death (unredacted version)
13. Will of decedent (only if applicable) (unredacted version) – if you are submitting the filing electronically, the original will MUST be delivered to the court within 14 days of emailing your documents. Deliver the ORIGINAL, unredacted Will via drop box or mail to:
    
    • Wayne County Probate Court
      Attn: Probate Counter
      1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
      Detroit, Mich. 48226

5. Filing Fee

   i. $175 Filing Fee
   ii. $12 Certified Letter of Autority Fee
   iii. 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.
   iv. 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
   
   v. A fee waiver request can be submitted together with your petition. Click here to learn about the fee waiver process.
   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. All hearings are being conducted by ZOOM.
   iv. You must attend the ZOOM hearing or your petition will be dismissed.

 

* Rev 12/23