Port Huron, MI asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Michigan

Q: Can my stepmother put my deceased fathers' assets in her name after probate court grants her personal representative?

My father died without a will. Most of his assets are solely in his name. The house, vehicles, property, etc. She plans to continue living in the home. If and when she decides to sell the home or if she dies- do her children inherit everything?

1 Lawyer Answer
Trent Harris
Trent Harris
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Jackson, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: Under Michigan law in the situation you describe the surviving spouse gets the first $100,000, plus 1/2 of the rest of your father’s estate. The remaining 1/2 goes to children of the decedent.

If and when the stepmom dies, her share of your father’s estate would go to whoever she leaves in her will, or her heirs under intestate succession.

As always, you get what you pay for. Be sure to talk to a qualified attorney about your specific situation before choosing to rely on information you get from internet discussion boards such as this one.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.