Macomb, MI asked in Estate Planning for Michigan

Q: Can an estate going through probate be partially disbursed among four beneficiaries before knowing the total value?

The estate has two homes, one sold and the proceeds deposited into the estate account. The other is wanting to be purchased by one of the beneficiaries but needs the money currently in the estate account. Can those monies be distributed to the beneficiaries?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: Probably not, and depending on where in the probate process the estate and what type of estate it is, it could be unlawful or at least unwise for the personal representative to do so.

The person wanting to buy the house could propose a promissory note agreed to by the personal representative and other beneficiaries.

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