Letters Testamentary in Michigan

A personal representative must be appointed by the probate register (informal proceedings) or by court order (formal proceedings), qualify, and be issued letters; administration begins when letters are issued. To qualify, the representative files any required bond and a statement accepting the duties of the office. Michigan's document is called 'Letters of Authority for Personal Representative' (SCAO form PC 572), which states the appointment date, any limits on authority and any expiration date.

Priority for appointment goes to the person named in the will, then the surviving spouse if a beneficiary, other beneficiaries, the spouse if not a beneficiary, other heirs, a creditor's nominee after 42 days, and finally the public administrator after 63 days. A person under 18, or one the court finds unsuitable in formal proceedings, cannot serve; the statute sets no residency requirement. In informal proceedings bond is generally not required unless the will requires it or a special personal representative is appointed. In formal proceedings the court may require bond, but not if the will waives it unless an interested person asks and the court finds bond desirable.