How Long Does Probate Take in Michigan?

Seven months. That figure pops up again and again when people talk about Michigan probate, and it is not pulled from thin air.

State law gives creditors four months to file claims, and several weeks pass even before that clock starts. Still, seven months is the fastest track, but it’s not a guarantee.

We wrote this guide to show you why probate lasts that long, what can make it stretch to years, and how families can keep the timeline closer to the shorter end.

The Typical Michigan Probate Timeline

Every estate follows the same basic path, no matter how large or small. The personal representative opens the case with the probate court, gives notice to interested parties, gathers assets, pays debts, and, ultimately, distributes the remaining assets. When each step runs smoothly, the whole job wraps up in just over half a year.

That schedule surprises many families, so we broke it into a table you can skim at a glance.

Step	Main Task	Typical Duration
Opening the Estate	File the petition, the death certificate, and the will	2–3 weeks
Creditor Notice Period	Publish notice, mail to known creditors	4 months (required)
Asset Inventory	Identify, value, and report property	1–2 months
Debt & Tax Payments	Pay valid claims, file tax returns	1–2 months
Final Distribution & Closing	Send heirs their share, submit final report	3–4 weeks

 

Those numbers add up to just over seven months. If the estate is small enough for Michigan’s simplified procedure, the period can drop to three or four months, mainly because the creditor window shrinks.

Why Some Estates Take Far Longer

Few families enjoy the textbook schedule. Life events, paperwork mix-ups, and disagreements can tack on months. Knowing the usual trouble spots helps you prepare.

• Formal vs. Informal Proceedings. Informal probate moves with minimal court oversight. If someone requests formal supervision, the judge reviews nearly every action, slowing each stage.
• Will Contests. A challenge to the document’s validity can freeze distributions until the dispute ends.
• Hard-to-value Assets. Businesses, collectibles, or out-of-state property often require the services of outside appraisers or even a second probate case.
• Family Conflict. Arguments over who serves as personal representative or who receives which asset force hearings that disrupt the flow.
• Tax Issues. Very large estates sometimes require a federal estate tax return, which cannot be finished until the IRS signs off.

Not all of those hurdles appear in every case, yet even one can push probate well past the one-year mark.

Formal vs. Informal Administration Explained

Michigan offers two main tracks because not every estate requires a court review. In an informal case, the personal representative handles tasks with little intervention. A judge steps in only if someone files an objection. Formal administration, in contrast, brings scheduled hearings and mandatory approvals.

1. When informal works best: The heirs get along, the will is clear, and debts are straightforward.
2. When is formal safer: A blended family, missing heirs, or a question about the will’s signature?

Switching from informal to formal is allowed, but every change means new filings and time on the calendar.

Small Estate Shortcuts

An estate in Michigan is a “Small Estate” if its total value is less than a certain statutory amount, adjusted annually. In 2025, any estate with less than roughly $51,000 in property is a “small estate.” The figure is adjusted for inflation, but the perks remain the same.

Highlights of the shortcut:

• No personal representative appointment if a single heir claims the assets with an affidavit.
• Creditors still receive notice, yet the waiting period is shorter.
• Real estate passes by recording a simple court order rather than full supervision.

Even with the condensed rules, careful record-keeping remains crucial because heirs may still be liable if a previously hidden debt surfaces later.

Keeping Probate on Track

Families cannot control every delay; yet, a few practical steps can make a real difference.

Pick the Right Personal Representative

Choose someone organized, available, and comfortable with paperwork. The role demands weekly attention to deadlines. A willing family member who lives nearby often finishes faster than an out-of-state relative who travels only now and then.

Round Up Paperwork Early

Banks, title companies, and tax agencies all need originals or certified copies. Locate deeds, vehicle titles, stock certificates, and past returns as soon as you can. Fast gathering leads to fast valuations.

Stay Ahead of Creditor Claims

The notice period cannot be shortened, yet creditors do not have to wait until the last day. Mailing known creditors right after you open the estate lets them respond sooner, shaving weeks off the finish line.

Probate vs. Probate Planning: Two Sides of the Same Coin

While this article focuses on timing after death, planning during life often decides whether probate is even needed. Joint ownership, transfer-on-death designations, and living trusts move property outside the court process. That not only speeds things up but also sidesteps many of the fights that trigger formal administration.

If you are weighing methods to spare your heirs from the full procedure, meet with counsel before signing deeds or beneficiary forms. The wrong choice could shift tax burdens or expose assets to a beneficiary’s creditors.

Frequently Asked Questions

We field the same questions daily, and clear answers help families move forward confidently.

Is there a deadline to open probate?

Michigan does not set a firm limit, but financial institutions may freeze accounts after a few weeks. Opening within 30 days avoids most headaches.

Can a probate case be closed before the four-month creditor period ends?

No. The estate must stay open at least that long, even if no one files a claim.

Does having a will skip probate?

A will guides who receives property, yet the document still travels through probate unless every asset has a beneficiary or a joint owner.

What happens if the personal representative drags their feet?

Heirs or creditors can ask the judge to order progress, demand a formal accounting, or replace the representative.

How long after probate closes will I get my inheritance?

Distribution usually happens right before the final paperwork, so you receive funds within a week or two of the closing order.

Takeaway for Michigan Families

Seven months is fast for probate, not slow. Courts must give creditors time, appraisals take work, and judges will not sign final orders until every rule is met. Delays often grow from family disputes, unclear wills, or assets that are tough to value. Good planning, a reliable personal representative, and prompt legal guidance shorten the path.

Need help steering an estate through Michigan probate or setting up a plan to avoid it in the first place? Call 734-930-9200, visit our website, or drop by our Ann Arbor office. Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC, is invested in improving lives. We have spent three decades guiding families through the probate process, and we welcome your questions.

Reaching out now brings clarity and keeps the timeline where it belongs.