Get a fair cash offer on your house
Are You Dealing With Probate in Michigan?
We buy inherited and probate houses as-is for cash, and we work directly with probate attorneys and personal representatives.
QUICK ANSWER
In most cases, you’ll need to complete probate before selling the home. The exceptions are a living trust, joint ownership with right of survivorship, a small estate affidavit, or court approval to sell during probate. Once you hold Letters of Authority, you can sell without waiting for probate to close.
Is Holding the Asset Profitable?
The “Cost of Waiting” vs. The “Clean Slate” Offer
The monthly “Cash Burn” ledger
TOTAL MONTHLY COST TO HOLD$0
3 months$0
6 months$0
12 months$0
Future “retail” costs: Realtor commissions (6%), closing costs (2 to 3%), renovations.
The “Clean Slate” cash offer
$0 Realtor Commissions
$0 Closing Costs
$0 Repairs or Clean-outs
Sell “as-is”: leave contents behind. We handle everything.
Immediate stop to the monthly cash burn.Don’t let the “Cost to Hold” eat the inheritance. Call for a baseline offer: (586) 284-5301
What is Probate and How Does It Work?
Probate is the legal process of transferring a deceased person’s assets, like a home, to their heirs. The court oversees this process to ensure all debts are paid and property is distributed according to the will (or Michigan law, if there isn’t one).
Unfortunately, probate can take months or even years to finalize. During this time, the property can’t typically be sold unless the court grants permission.
Can You Sell a House Before Probate in Michigan?
In most cases, you’ll need to complete probate before selling the home. However, there are a few exceptions that may allow a faster sale:
The Property Was Placed in a Living Trust
If your loved one placed the home in a living trust, probate can be avoided entirely. The trustee can sell the property without court involvement.
Joint Ownership With Right of Survivorship
If the home was owned jointly, such as between spouses, the surviving owner automatically inherits full ownership. In that case, the property does not go through probate and can be sold immediately.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Michigan, if the total value of the estate is below a certain threshold, you may be able to skip full probate using a simplified process. This can speed up the timeline to sell the home.
Court Approval to Sell During Probate
Even if probate is required, it’s sometimes possible to sell the property with court permission. The executor or personal representative must petition the court, often showing that selling the home benefits the estate.
How Mike Buys Houses Can Help
Selling a probate property can be frustrating, especially if the home needs repairs or you’re paying out of pocket for taxes, insurance, or maintenance. That’s where we come in.
At Mike Buys Houses, we:
- Buy houses as-is, so you don’t need to fix anything.
- Pay cash and can close quickly, sometimes in as little as 7 days.
- Work directly with probate attorneys and personal representatives to ensure a smooth process.
- Handle all the paperwork, title issues, and closing details so you don’t have to.
We’ll make you a fair, no-obligation cash offer and guide you through every step of the process, whether you’re still in probate or ready to sell.
The Michigan Probate Roadmap
Your 5-Phase Guide to Navigating the Estate
Read the roadmap as text
- Phase 1
Getting Appointed
- Goal: Receive “Letters of Authority” from Probate Court.
- Action: You now legally represent the estate to banks and insurers.
- Phase 2
Notification & Protection
- Notice: Publish notice to creditors (starts 4-month clock).
- Secure: Change locks & check insurance.
- Warning: Vacancy over 30 days often denies claims!
- Phase 3
Inventory (The 91-Day Rule)
- Deadline: File Inventory (Form PC 577) within 91 days.
- Tip: Value property “as-is” to keep Inventory Fee accurate.
- Phase 4
Liquidation & Maintenance
- Reality: Estate pays costs (utilities, taxes), eating into inheritance.
- Option: With Letters of Authority, sell immediately. No need to wait for probate to close.
- Phase 5
Closing & Distribution
- Final Step: Pay debts/taxes, distribute assets to heirs, and file to close estate.
Get Help Selling Your Michigan Probate Home
You don’t have to handle this alone. Let our experienced team help you navigate probate and sell your inherited home fast, without stress, repairs, or delays.
Call us today at (586) 284-5301 for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Or fill out our quick online form to get your cash offer today.
Families We’ve Helped Through Probate
★★★★★
"Mike will give you his expertise advice on what should be completed for managing your estate, along with a roadmap for Michigan Probate on what steps to follow I am so glad he sent me all the information that I wasn’t even aware of That needed to be completed plus Mike will follow up with you to make sure you’re on the right track"
★★★★★
"I had a great experience with Mike. Both my parents passed away within 2.5 weeks and I didn't have the time to fix up their home. Mike always returned my calls promptly and I felt very comfortable working with Mike and his crew."
★★★★★
"Mike has been very gracious to assist me and my husband as we navigate and explore probate options. We have a complex and unique situation which Mike always made himself available to discuss with. He didn't have to take the time he did with us but I'm grateful that he did. He's very knowledgeable in his field and I highly recommend him for your real estate needs!"
★★★★★
"My family needed to sell a condominium after a family members passing. And we worked with Mike and his team and it was a seamless process! Everybody was kind, always followed up and helped us make things easier during a difficult time"
★★★★★
"I want to thank Mike for making the selling of my mom’s house easy! He was very helpful and they even saved my wedding dress that was accidentally left behind!"
★★★★★
"Mike and his team helped us find a buyer and seamlessly close the deal for my family member’s house when they weren’t comfortable putting it on the market. Mike was always quick to reply and we had plenty of updates throughout the process, I would recommend Mike to anyone!"
★★★★★
"I am very happy with Mike , He took care of all my needs and was very professional , helped get my Mothers Home sold fast and without any issues, I highly recommend Him"
★★★★★
"I met Mike at noon today at my mother-in-law‘s old house. He was right on time, extremely knowledgeable and it was a great help to our family. I would definitely recommend Mike."
★★★★★
"I have spoken to Mike directly and I feel he is very Friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. He has answered all of my questions. I haven’t closed with him yet but will keep him in mind in the future. I highly recommend him and his Company. Liz Glidden"
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a House in Probate
Straight answers to what families ask most before selling an inherited home.
How long does probate take in Michigan?
Probate in Michigan can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate, court schedules, and whether there are disputes among heirs.
Can you sell a house before probate is complete?
In most cases, you’ll need court approval to sell before probate ends. However, if the home was owned jointly or held in a living trust, you may be able to sell without going through the full probate process.
Do all inherited homes have to go through probate?
No. If the deceased person placed the home in a living trust or held it jointly with right of survivorship, the property can transfer ownership without probate.
What happens if there’s no will?
If your loved one didn’t leave a will, Michigan’s intestate laws determine who inherits the property. The probate court will appoint a personal representative to handle the estate and property sale.
Who is allowed to sell a house in probate?
Only the executor or personal representative appointed by the court has the legal authority to sell a probate property in Michigan.
Do I have to make repairs before selling a probate home?
No. At Mike Buys Houses, we buy homes as-is, so you don’t need to spend money on repairs, cleaning, or updates before selling.
How does Mike Buys Houses help with probate properties?
We specialize in buying homes in probate quickly and for cash. Our team handles the paperwork, coordinates with probate attorneys, and ensures the process is smooth, often closing in as little as 7 days.
Will selling a probate property take a long time?
Not necessarily. Once the court grants approval or probate is complete, a cash buyer like Mike Buys Houses can close very quickly, typically in under two weeks.
Give Us A Call Today at (586) 284-5301
Get your free, no-obligation cash offer today. Whether you need to close in 7 days or 60, we work on your timeline. Call us or fill out the form; we respond the same day.
Rather just talk it through? Call Mike at (586) 284-5301 or schedule a call.
Mike Buys Houses™
(586) 284-5301
Mike Buys Houses™
(586) 284-5301
32455 W 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week