In a Detroit probate case, a personal representative must present or file an Inventory of assets owned by the decedent as of the date of death, with the Wayne County Probate Court, within 91 days after appointment. This inventory lists all “probate assets” the decedent owned as of the date of death and assigns reasonable estimated values. However, non-probate assets—such as life insurance with named beneficiaries, jointly owned property with survivorship rights, and trust assets—do not appear on the inventory.
If the court appoints you as a personal representative in a Detroit probate case, you must prepare the Inventory of assets early in the process. In fact, this task ranks among your most important responsibilities.
In Michigan probate, the inventory does far more than satisfy a technical requirement. Instead, it determines which property passes through probate, informs heirs and devisees, and shapes the entire estate administration. Therefore, when errors, omissions, or delays occur, probate often slows down and costs increase.
At The Probate Pro, we guide Detroit families and personal representatives through probate with clarity, accuracy, and confidence.
Many personal representatives confuse a probate inventory with a probate accounting. Although both documents involve estate assets, they serve very different purposes at different stages of the Michigan probate process.
Understanding the distinction helps personal representatives avoid mistakes and unnecessary stress.
A probate inventory provides a snapshot of the estate at the beginning of probate.
Specifically, the inventory:
Lists probate assets only
Uses date-of-death values
Shows what the decedent owned when they died
Presented or filed within 91 days of appointment
Establishes the financial starting point for probate
In other words, the inventory answers the question:
“What did the decedent own at the time of death that must go through probate?”
By contrast, a probate accounting shows what happened to estate assets during probate.
An accounting typically:
Tracks income received by the estate
Lists expenses and debts paid
Shows distributions to beneficiaries
Covers a specific period of administration
Is required annual and may be required before closing the estate
Therefore, the accounting answers a different question:
“How did the personal representative manage estate assets after probate began?”
An inventory of assets is a document that a Michigan personal representative presents or files with the probate court. Specifically, it lists the estate’s probate property and assigns values as of the date of death.
The Wayne County Probate Court relies on the inventory to:
Identify which assets require probate administration
Provide transparency to heirs and beneficiaries
Establish a clear framework for estate administration and distribution
In most Detroit probate cases, the personal representative must present or file the Inventory of Assets within 91 days after the court appointment.
If the personal representative misses the deadline, the court may issue a notice of deficiency, require corrective action, or suspend the personal representative or administratively close the probate file. For this reason, early preparation and the adherence to the timeline remain essential.
Only probate assets belong on the inventory.
Real estate, owned solely by the decedent
Bank accounts, with a pay-on-death designations
Vehicles titled solely in the decedent’s name
Investment accounts, without named beneficiaries
Business interests
Personal property such as jewelry, collectibles, artwork, tools, and household items
Life insurance, with a named beneficiary
Retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s, with a named beneficiary
Jointly owned property, with survivorship rights
Assets held in a trust
Therefore, if you wonder whether everything goes on the inventory, the answer is no. Correctly separating probate assets from non-probate assets remains one of the most common challenges personal representatives face.
The short answer is that there is no requirement of the filing of the Inventory with the probate court. The filing becomes part of the public file and presenting the inventory does not.
The rules allow for both options. For privacy purposes, many people prefer to present the inventory and not to file it.
MCL 700.3706(a) states that the personal representative shall “shall prepare an inventory of property owned by the decedent at the time of death, listing it with reasonable detail, and indicating as to each listed item, its fair market value as of the date of the decedent’s death, and the type and amount of an encumbrance that may exist with reference to each listed item.”
MCL 700.3706(b) states that “The personal representative shall submit to the court on a timely basis information necessary to calculate the probate inventory fee.”
MCR 5.307 states that the personal representative “must submit to the court the information necessary for computation of the probate inventory fee.”
In informal proceedings, the probate court’s only role relative to the Inventory is to ensure that the appropriate inventory fee is paid. There is no requirement to file an inventory, unless ordered by the court.
Michigan probate law requires personal representatives to value assets as of the date of death, not the date they prepare the inventory.
Real estate: Two times the State Equalized Value as set forth on a tax statement for the year the decedent died, an appraisal, or a recent sale.
Bank accounts: Account balances on the date of death
Vehicles: Reasonable market value using recognized valuation tools
Personal property: Fair resale value rather than replacement cost
If a personal representative uses incorrect valuation dates or unrealistic values, disputes often follow. As a result, careful valuation protects both the estate and the personal representative.
Yes. In Michigan probate cases, heirs and devisees and other interested persons must receive a copy of the inventory.
Because heirs and devisees rely on the inventory to understand what assets exist, unclear descriptions or missing items often create distrust. Therefore, accuracy and clarity remain essential.
Personal representatives frequently encounter problems when they:
List non-probate assets by mistake
Omit assets
Use current values instead of date-of-death values
Fail to file an amended inventory after discovering additional assets
Each mistake can delay probate.
Often, personal representatives discover additional assets after filing the initial inventory. This situation commonly arises when financial records remain incomplete.
When that happens, the personal representative must file an amended inventory. The amended filing must list the newly discovered assets and update the total estate value. Otherwise, the estate risks disputes and court scrutiny.
Michigan probate inventories follow the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC).
Under MCL 700.3706, the personal representative must:
Prepare an inventory of probate assets
List assets owned at the time of death
Use reasonable market value
File the inventory within 91 days unless waived
Michigan law does not require a personal representative to hire an attorney. However, many personal representatives choose legal guidance when estates involve real estate, complex assets, or family conflict.
As a result, professional assistance often reduces risk, shortens probate timelines, and prevents disputes.
Do all assets go on a Michigan probate inventory?
No. Only probate assets appear on the inventory. Assets with named beneficiaries, survivorship rights, or trust ownership do not.
How long do I have to file the inventory in Detroit probate?
Generally, personal representatives have 91 days from appointment.
Can I estimate values on a probate inventory?
Yes. Michigan law allows reasonable market value estimates as of the date of death, except for real estate which has specific requirements for valuation.
What happens if I miss the inventory deadline?
Missing the deadline may have serious consequences including the removal of the personal representative and the administrative closing of the file.
If you are serving as a personal representative in a Detroit probate case, the Inventory of Assets is not the place to guess or hope you got it right. Small mistakes at this stage often lead to delays, beneficiary disputes, and unnecessary court involvement later.
At The Probate Pro, we focus exclusively on Michigan probate and estate administration. We help personal representatives prepare accurate, court-compliant inventories that protect them from liability and keep probate moving forward.
You do not have to navigate this alone.
This page is provided by The Probate Pro, a Michigan law firm focused exclusively on probate and estate administration, including Detroit and Wayne County probate matters.