Estate Administration

If your loved one has recently passed away, you may feel overwhelmed by the estate administration process. Our Michigan estate administration attorneys are here to help. 
Contact Bassett Murray Law Group today to schedule your consultation. 

What Is Estate Administration?

Estate administration is the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a person’s assets after their death. It involves taking inventory of the person’s assets, paying off debts to creditors, distributing assets to beneficiaries, filing the decedent’s last tax returns, and several other steps. This legal process is necessary to close the decedent’s estate and fulfill probate according to their will or Michigan’s laws. 

If your loved one had a will, they may have named an estate executor, personal representative, or administrator. This person is responsible for completing the estate administration process. To accomplish this, the person will need to be appointed by the court.

If a decedent did not name an estate executor, the court will appoint one of the decedent’s close family members to this role. 

The estate administration process can feel complicated for anyone, but especially for those without legal experience. Working with an attorney throughout estate administration and probate can help you feel confident navigating this process. 

Michigan Estate Administration Process

Estate administration in Michigan involves completing several duties. If you are the personal representative for a recently deceased family member, you will need to follow these steps:

• Make a list of all of the assets to see if they are jointly owned or have a beneficiary named.
• File the proper paperwork and the will with the court to be appointed if needed
• If appointed, contact all beneficiaries listed in the will and the next of kin
• Get a tax ID number
• Open a bank account for the estate
• Publish a notice for creditors and notify all known creditors
• Determine if claims made against the estate are valid under the law
• Pay or reimburse for the funeral and burial expenses
• Pay the estate’s cost of administration
• Pay the estate’s valid debts
• Pay the allowances required by law
• File income tax returns and pay taxes owing or collect refunds
• Distribute assets and property according to the will and Michigan law
• Properly close the estate with the Court

This process can feel like a full-time job, especially if the decedent’s assets are vast and challenging to locate. Additionally, many people find the estate administration process overwhelming as they grieve their loved one’s death. Sorting through the estate can bring up challenging emotions that slow the process. 

If you need assistance with estate administration, don’t hesitate to contact our attorneys. We’d be happy to guide you through this process and relieve your stress. 

How Can An Attorney Assist You? 

Hiring an estate administration lawyer can be highly beneficial as you navigate probate and asset distribution. As your estate administration attorneys, our team will provide needed counsel and services throughout the probate process. 

We can help you with any of the following tasks:

• Getting your tax ID
• Filing the will and the proper paperwork with the court
• Locating the beneficiaries
• Ensuring payment and distributions are made in the proper order of priority and amount
• Completing legal documents to close the estate
• Communicating with all parties involved on your behalf
• Navigating real estate sales or transfers
• Providing legal advice and guidance

You can trust our attorneys to take the stress out of the estate administration process. 

Contact a Qualified Michigan Estate Administration Attorney 

If you need assistance with estate administration, our Michigan attorneys are here to help. Contact our Bassett Murray Law Group today at 734-930-9200 to schedule your consultation.