What is involved in Estate Administration?

Estate administration is the court-supervised process of settling a deceased person’s estate. Because it involves legal requirements, deadlines, and court filings, it can be detailed and complex.

The first step is appointing a Personal Representative through the local Probate Court. This individual is often a spouse, family member, or trusted friend who files a petition asking the court for authority to act on behalf of the estate.

Once appointed, the Personal Representative must:

• Determine the decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries (such as a spouse, children, or other family members).
• Provide required legal notice to interested parties, including heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, and in some cases government agencies (for example, if child support was ever involved).
• Marshal the estate’s assets, which means identifying, gathering, and valuing everything the deceased person owned.
• Address outstanding debts and obligations before distributing the remaining assets.

The goal of estate administration is to ensure that assets are properly managed, debts are resolved, and property is distributed according to the will or, if there is no will, according to Michigan law.

Because of the legal and financial responsibilities involved, working with an experienced probate attorney can help ensure the process is handled efficiently and correctly.