You've lost someone — and you've been named Trustee.

The first week: decide, secure, and find the documents

A trust whose instrument was signed on or after April 1, 2010 is revocable unless its terms expressly make it irrevocable (MCL 700.7602(1)); at the settlor's death a revocable trust becomes irrevocable. While it was revocable, the trustee's duties were owed to the settlor (MCL 700.7603(1)). A person designated as successor trustee accepts by the method the trust provides or — where it provides none, or its method is not expressly exclusive — by accepting delivery of the trust property, exercising powers or performing duties as trustee, or otherwise indicating acceptance; one who does not accept within a reasonable time after knowing of the designation is deemed to have rejected it (MCL 700.7701).

Before deciding, a designated trustee may act to preserve the trust property, sending a rejection within a reasonable time if declining, and may inspect or investigate it (MCL 700.7701(3)). Find the trust instrument and every amendment, the death certificate, recent statements, deeds, titles and beneficiary designations.

The notices: 63 days, each from its own beginning

Within 63 days after the trustee acquires knowledge that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, whether by the settlor's death or otherwise, the trustee notifies the qualified trust beneficiaries of the trust's existence, of the identity of the settlor or settlors, of the court in which the trust is registered (if it is registered), and of their right to request a copy of the terms of the trust that describe or affect their interests (MCL 700.7814(2)(c)). A trustee who accepts the trusteeship also notifies them, within 63 days after the acceptance, of the acceptance and of the trustee's name, address and telephone number (MCL 700.7814(2)(b)). Two notices, each with its own clock; they are often sent together.

Who is a qualified trust beneficiary turns on the settlor's material purpose and on who would receive distributions now, or if the present interests or the trust ended (MCL 700.7103(g)). Notice may be sent by first-class mail, personal delivery, delivery to the last known place of residence or business, or a properly directed and identified electronic message (MCL 700.7109). A trust whose terms clearly withhold information for a nondisclosure period follows that section's own rules (MCL 700.7409a).

Michigan trustee deadlines: what the statutes provide

Reviewed against the Michigan Statutes on 2026-10-10. General information, not legal advice; the official text controls.

Taking control and listing the assets

The trustee takes reasonable steps to take control of and protect the trust property (MCL 700.7810), keeps adequate records and keeps the trust's property separate from the trustee's own (MCL 700.7811), and takes reasonable steps to locate trust property and compel its delivery (MCL 700.7813). A successor to a trustee who was also the settlor is not liable for the settlor's actions as trustee and need not investigate them (MCL 700.7603(4), (5)).

Michigan's probate court issues no letters of trusteeship; a trustee may establish incumbency by affidavit (MCR 5.501(E)). Banks, brokers and title companies usually accept a certificate of trust in the form of an affidavit instead of the whole instrument (MCL 700.7913).

Creditors, the estate, and the trustee's notice to creditors

A trust the settlor could revoke at death answers for the estate's administration expenses, timely presented claims and the family's allowances — but only to the extent the probate estate is insufficient (MCL 700.7605). A trustee pays the amount a personal representative certifies in writing and may rely on the certificate (MCL 700.7606). The personal representative's own notice to creditors goes to the trustee of the decedent's revocable trust (MCL 700.3801).

Where no personal representative has letters, each trustee publishes and serves a notice to creditors in the manner MCL 700.3801 sets for a personal representative, naming the deceased settlor, the trust, the date it was established, each trustee and any attorney, and stating the date of publication (MCL 700.7608). Claims are then presented within 4 months after publication — a known creditor, within the later of 28 days after its notice and the 4 months — and, without a compliant notice, within 3 years after the death (MCL 700.7610). A claim disallowed in a notice that warns of the bar is barred unless the claimant begins a proceeding within 63 days after the notice (MCL 700.7611).

The surviving spouse and the family

The homestead allowance ($15,000 as adjusted for the year of death — $30,000 in 2026), a reasonable family allowance and exempt property ($10,000 as adjusted — $20,000 in 2026) belong to the surviving spouse or, in the circumstances the statutes state, the children (MCL 700.2402, 700.2403, 700.2404). Trust property answers for them only where the probate estate is insufficient, and not at all if no personal representative is appointed within 4 months after the trustee's notice to creditors is published (MCL 700.7605, 700.7606). A surviving spouse of a decedent who left a will may elect against the will within the time MCL 700.2202 sets — the spouse's own decision.

The house, and the property tax

A transfer of ownership of Michigan real property makes its taxable value the state equalized valuation for the following year (MCL 211.27a(3)). The statute lists conveyances to and distributions from a trust that are not transfers of ownership — among them a distribution of residential real property to the settlor's or the settlor's spouse's parent, sibling, child or grandchild when it is not used for any commercial purpose afterward (MCL 211.27a(6), (7)). The buyer, grantee or other transferee notifies the local assessing office within 45 days of a transfer of ownership, on the State Tax Commission's form (MCL 211.27a(10)). Whether a particular deed uncaps the taxable value is the assessor's determination.

Reports, the contest window and the time limits

At least annually and at the trust's termination, the trustee sends a report of the trust property, liabilities, receipts and disbursements — including the trustee's compensation — with a listing of the trust property and, if feasible, its market values (MCL 700.7814(3)). A report that adequately discloses a potential claim and states the time allowed starts a one-year period for a proceeding for breach of trust (MCL 700.7905(1)(a)).

A trust that was revocable at the death may be contested within the earlier of 2 years after the death and 6 months after the trustee sends a notice with the contents the statute lists; the trustee may distribute under the trust's terms unless it knows of a pending contest, or a potential contestant notified it in writing and a proceeding begins within 63 days after that notification (MCL 700.7604).

When a licensed Michigan attorney is the right next call

TrusteeClear explains and organizes; it does not decide who is a qualified trust beneficiary, whether a claim is barred, or whether a transfer uncaps a property's taxable value. Many trustees bring the trust, the creditor notice and the real-property questions to a licensed Michigan attorney of their choosing.