Estate Administration Procedures

Estate Administration Procedures

Learn about procedures to transfer a deceased person's assets. 

Types of Estate Administration

Procedures

A deceased person's assets must be transferred to his or her beneficiaries. There are four ways to transfer such assets. One or more of these procedures may be used in any given case, depending upon the types of assets owned by the deceased person, and their estate planning documents. Select any topic below to learn more.

  • Probate Procedure


    Probate is a judicial process to distribute assets owned solely by a deceased person.  A deceased person's last will and testament provides instructions for distribution of their property in a probate proceeding.  A personal representative is appointed by the probate court to administer and distribute the assets.  


    Learn About Probate

  • Trust Administration Procedure


    Trust administration is the legal process to distribute assets from a deceased person's trust. A person who creates a trust is called a "Settlor".  A trustee is appointed by a Settlor in a trust.  Only property owned by a trust is administered by a trustee in accordance with a trust document. Trustees must follow the Michigan Trust Code to administer all types of trusts.  


    Learn About Trust Administration

  • Registration in Beneficiary Form


    A person may register assets in "beneficiary form" during his or her lifetime.  Upon death, such assets are transferred to one or more designated beneficiaries without formal legal proceedings. 


    Learn About Beneficiary Registration

  • Small Estate Procedures


    Small estate procedures provide quick access to a deceased person's personal property, vehicles, or financial accounts in certain situations.  Read this section to find out when small estate procedures may be used. 


    Learn About Small Estate Procedures

How to Start Estate Administration

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