About Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative
To petition the probate court for formal probate of a will and/or appointment of a personal representative to administer a decedent's estate.
When you'd use it: When initiating formal probate proceedings in Michigan probate court for a decedent's estate, whether testate or intestate.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative is published as a PDF by the Michigan courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (PDF) →
Source: courts.michigan.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative in Michigan
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (PC 559) when when initiating formal probate proceedings in Michigan probate court for a decedent's estate, whether testate or intestate. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Michigan probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Michigan county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).