Inherited a house in Michigan? Here's the probate timeline.

The estate is handled by the probate court of the county where the person lived (for Detroit, the Wayne County Probate Court).

1. 1. Weeks 1 to 6

   Open the estate

   Apply for informal probate (handled by the probate register, no hearing) or petition for formal probate before a judge.

   Source: MCL 700.3301, 700.3401

2. 2. After the application is approved

   Personal representative appointed

   Letters of authority let the personal representative act for the estate.

3. 3. Soon after appointment; 4-month window

   Publish notice to creditors

   Creditors have 4 months from the first publication to present claims.

   Source: MCL 700.3801, 700.3803

4. 4. Within 91 days of appointment

   Send the inventory

   The personal representative gives the heirs an inventory of the estate, the house included.

   Source: MCL 700.3706

5. 5. Usually 6 months or more after appointment

   Sell, rent or deed the house, then close

   A personal representative can sell estate real estate unless the will or the court restricts it. After claims and taxes are paid, the estate is distributed and closed.

   Source: MCL 700.3715

For the house in Michigan

• A transfer of the house can 'uncap' its taxable value and raise the tax bill. A transfer of a home to certain close relatives can be exempt (MCL 211.27a(7)(s)); ask the attorney before the deed is recorded.
• Unpaid Michigan property taxes can end in county tax foreclosure in about three years, so check the delinquent balance with the county treasurer early.
• Michigan has no state inheritance tax for deaths after 1993.

Before anyone is appointed

• Secure the house. Lock up, take photos of every room, stop mail from piling up, and keep heat on in winter so pipes don't freeze. Don't remove or sell belongings yet.
• Call the homeowner's insurer. Tell them the owner died. Many policies limit coverage when a home sits empty, so ask what is needed to keep it covered.
• Find the will and the deed. Look for a will, a trust, a transfer-on-death deed or a joint deed. A house held in a trust or with a survivor on the deed may not need probate at all.
• Keep the bills current. Property taxes, the mortgage (if any), insurance and utilities keep coming due. Track who pays what; the estate usually pays it back.

Sources: MCL 700.3301, 700.3401; MCL 700.3801, 700.3803; MCL 700.3706; MCL 700.3715.

This report organizes public records and general information. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and it is not an appraisal. Talk to a probate attorney in your state before acting.