Administering an estate can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time. Whether you’ve been appointed as a personal representative, trustee, or attorney-in-fact, the process can be emotionally and legally complex. Fortunately, with the guidance of a trusted Michigan probate lawyer, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At John R. Tatone & Associates, we support families through each stage of the probate process. Below is a practical guide to what you can expect—and how we help ensure everything is completed correctly and on time.
Step 1: Gather Essential Documents
Before you can begin, you’ll need to collect several important documents:
The original will
Death certificate
Insurance policies
Financial and tax records
Titles, deeds, and trust documents
Keeping these files secure and organized from the outset is critical. For that reason, our team uses secure digital tools to help clients manage documents with ease.
➡️ See more probate tools
Step 2: Open the Estate with the Court
Once the documents are ready, the next step is to petition the probate court for appointment as personal representative or trustee. After the court approves your role, it will issue Letters of Authority, granting you the legal power to manage the estate.
Although this process may take several weeks, working with a Michigan probate lawyer ensures your filings are accurate and complete. This helps you avoid unnecessary delays or rejections.
➡️ Wayne County Probate Court Info
Step 3: Inventory the Assets and Liabilities
After your appointment, you must identify all estate assets and debts. Specifically, this means listing real estate, bank accounts, personal belongings, investments, and any liabilities.
You are usually required to file this inventory with the court within 90 days. Therefore, we provide structured templates and legal support to simplify this task.
Step 4: Manage and Protect Estate Property
Next comes day-to-day management of the estate. During this time, you may need to:
Pay ongoing bills
Collect money owed to the estate
Maintain property or investments
Liquidate assets if necessary
At every stage, it’s crucial to keep detailed records. As a result, we offer our clients ongoing legal support and systems to help maintain compliance.
Step 5: Resolve Any Legal Questions or Disputes
Occasionally, issues such as contested wills or questions about a document’s validity may arise. In these cases, having an experienced Michigan probate lawyer on your side is vital.
Our firm is well-versed in probate litigation and has helped families across Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties reach successful outcomes in even the most difficult disputes.
➡️ Understand common probate disputes
Step 6: Distribute Assets and Close the Estate
Once all debts are paid and assets accounted for, you can proceed with the final distribution to beneficiaries. Then, you’ll prepare a final accounting and petition the court to officially close the estate.
Because this final step must meet strict legal standards, we carefully guide clients through it to avoid delays or follow-up audits.
✅ Partner with a Trusted Michigan Probate Lawyer
Administering an estate is a big responsibility—but with professional support, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At John R. Tatone & Associates, our experienced legal team walks you through every step of the process so you can handle your duties with confidence and peace of mind.
📞 Call us today at (586) 580-8850 or 📧 email jt@johntatone.com to schedule your consultation.