I’m the Personal Representative of My Dad’s Estate—and He Just Died. What Do I Do Next?
First things first: I’m sorry you’re here. Losing a parent is hard enough without legal paperwork piling up.
But if your dad named you as the personal representative (or executor) in his will, you’ve got a job to do.
It might feel overwhelming. Don’t worry. Let’s talk about what that actually means in Michigan—and what you need to do next.
Take Care of Immediate Needs First
Before you even think about the legal stuff, take care of what really matters.
🟠 Notify family.
🟠 Make funeral or memorial arrangements.
🟠 Locate any instructions your dad left about burial or cremation.
🟠 Request copies of the death certificate (you’ll need several).
You don’t have to rush to the courthouse the day after he passes. It’s okay to breathe.
Find the Will
If your dad had a will, you need to find the most recent original version.
🟠 It might be in a safe, filing cabinet, or with his lawyer.
🟠 Sometimes it’s filed with the probate court already (but that’s rare).
🟠 You’ll need the original for court—it can’t just be a copy.
If there’s no will? Don’t panic. It just means the estate will be considered intestate—the court will follow Michigan law to distribute assets.
Understand Your Role
As the personal representative, you’re in charge of managing your dad’s estate.
Your job is to:
🟠 Gather and safeguard his assets.
🟠 Pay valid debts and expenses.
🟠 Distribute what’s left according to the will (or state law).
🟠 Report to the probate court.
You’re a fiduciary. That’s a fancy word for “you have a legal duty to act honestly and in the best interests of the estate.”
Open the Probate Case
In most cases, you’ll need to open a probate case with the county probate court.
🟠 File the death certificate and the will.
🟠 Fill out the petition for probate.
🟠 Ask to be formally appointed as personal representative.
Once appointed, the court issues Letters of Authority—these prove you have legal power to act for the estate.
Pro tip: You can’t access accounts or sell property in your dad’s name until you have these letters.
Notify Heirs and Beneficiaries
Michigan law requires you to formally notify everyone entitled to inherit (or named in the will).
🟠 Send them notice of the probate case.
🟠 Give them a chance to object if they want.
This is part of keeping things transparent and fair.
Inventory the Assets
Your next job: figure out what your dad owned.
🟠 Bank accounts
🟠 Real estate
🟠 Vehicles
🟠 Investments
🟠 Personal belongings
🟠 Debts owed to him
You’ll file an inventory with the court so there’s a clear record of what’s in the estate.
Manage and Protect the Property
You’re responsible for safeguarding your dad’s stuff while probate is open.
🟠 Keep up with mortgage payments and utilities.
🟠 Insure real estate and vehicles.
🟠 Maintain property so it doesn’t lose value.
🟠 Keep estate funds separate from your own money.
You’re not allowed to mix funds or use them for personal expenses.
Pay Debts and Expenses
You’ll need to:
🟠 Publish a notice to creditors.
🟠 Review and decide which claims are valid.
🟠 Pay approved debts, funeral costs, taxes, and administration expenses.
If the estate can’t cover everything, there’s an order of priority you have to follow.
Distribute the Assets
Once debts and expenses are paid, you distribute what’s left:
🟠 According to the will if there is one.
🟠 According to Michigan intestate succession law if there isn’t.
Make sure you document everything—who got what, when, and how much.
Close the Estate
Finally, you’ll file paperwork to close the estate with the court.
🟠 Provide a final accounting of all transactions.
🟠 Show the court debts were paid and assets distributed.
🟠 Ask for formal discharge as personal representative.
This protects you from future liability.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
You’re not legally required to have one—but it’s smart.
Probate can get complicated fast if:
🟠 There’s a lot of debt.
🟠 Family members disagree.
🟠 The will is unclear.
🟠 There’s property in multiple states.
🟠 Taxes are involved.
A lawyer can help you follow the rules, avoid mistakes, and reduce family conflict.
The Bottom Line
Being the personal representative isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being responsible, organized, and willing to do the work.
🟠 Gather information.
🟠 Follow the legal steps.
🟠 Keep everyone informed.
🟠 Be fair and transparent.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to Get Help?
At Newburg Law, we help Michigan families navigate probate with less stress and more clarity.
🟠 Understand your duties.
🟠 Avoid common mistakes.
🟠 Get advice tailored to your situation.
📲 Contact us today. Let’s make this process easier for you—and honor your dad’s wishes the right way.