About Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election
Informs a surviving spouse of their statutory rights to elect between accepting the will's terms or taking an intestate share, and establishes proof of service of that notice and the spouse's election choice.
When you'd use it: File when notifying the surviving spouse of a decedent about their elective rights within the probate administration process in Michigan.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election 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:
Source: courts.michigan.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election in Michigan
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election (PC 581) when file when notifying the surviving spouse of a decedent about their elective rights within the probate administration process in Michigan. 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 Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election 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 Notice to Spouse of Rights of Election and Allowances, Proof of Service, and Election 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).