Macomb County small estate affidavit: where to take it, fee and local requirements
In Macomb County, Michigan, a small estate affidavit is never filed with a court — it goes straight to the bank, DMV or employer. The state rule is the same everywhere in Michigan: $30,000, 28-day wait, with or without a will. What the county controls is below.
| Where it goes | Present to holder / Macomb County Probate Court, 21850 Dunham Rd, Clinton Township |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 / $25 |
| Local note | No county-specific requirement beyond the state form |
| State limit | $30,000 — ≈ $30,000 after funeral and burial expenses (the figure is adjusted for inflation each year — verify the current one) |
| Waiting period | 28 days from death |
| Form | Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets (PC 598) MCL 700.3983 · official source |
| Signing | Notarized. Alternative route: petition PC 556 filed with the probate court ($25) when the estate is under the limit — that route can include a vehicle or real estate |
Check the estate against the Michigan rule
Macomb County · six questions
Some states file with the county court; others never go to court — the affidavit goes straight to the bank or DMV. The county decides the office and the fee.
Bank accounts, vehicles, final paychecks, personal property. Leave out joint accounts, accounts with a named beneficiary, and life insurance — those pass without probate anyway.
Most states make you wait 10–45 days before the affidavit can be signed or filed.
Your next 60 days
Macomb County procedure
- Certified death certificates from Michigan vital records or the county registrar — five or more.
- Inventory everything in the person's sole name; stop if the total is over $30,000.
- Wait 28 days — the affidavit cannot be presented earlier.
- Complete the Michigan form — Notarized. Alternative route: petition PC 556 filed with the probate court ($25) when the estate is under the limit — that route can include a vehicle or real estate.
- Present it to each holder — $0 / $25. Bring a certified death certificate for each.
- Collect, pay debts, distribute — keep every receipt; the affiant is liable up to the amount collected.
What makes Michigan different
Michigan gives you two doors. The affidavit (PC 598) is the fast one — 28 days, notarized, handed to the bank. The petition (PC 556) goes through the county probate court for $25, takes a few weeks, and is the one to use when there's a car, a house, or a bank that refuses affidavits.
The limit is applied after funeral and burial costs are subtracted, so an estate slightly over the figure can still qualify once the funeral bill is counted.
Common questions
Where do I file a small estate affidavit in Macomb County?
Nowhere — Michigan affidavits are not filed with a court. Present to holder / Macomb County Probate Court, 21850 Dunham Rd, Clinton Township. $0 / $25.
How much does a small estate affidavit cost in Macomb County?
$0 / $25. Court forms are free; certified death certificates are $10–$25 each; a notary is $10–$15 per signature.
What is the small estate limit for Macomb County?
The limit is set by Michigan law, not the county: $30,000 — ≈ $30,000 after funeral and burial expenses (the figure is adjusted for inflation each year — verify the current one).
Does Macomb County have its own form?
No county-specific version; use the Michigan form (Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets (PC 598)).
Other Michigan counties: Wayne County · Oakland County · Kent County · Michigan overview