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What does a successor trustee have to do after someone dies in Michigan?

After accepting the role, a Michigan successor trustee must administer the trust in good faith under its terms and Michigan law, and take reasonable steps to control and protect trust property. MCL 700.7801, 700.7810 Check the notice rules promptly because their clocks have different starting events. MCL 700.7814(2)(b)-(c)

By TrustHelm Team·Published October 23, 2026Trustee Duties & Responsibilities

Start with the document and property

  1. Read the signed trust and amendments. After acceptance, administration must follow the trust's terms and purposes, benefit its beneficiaries and comply with Michigan's trust code. MCL 700.7801
  2. Identify and safeguard trust property. Take reasonable steps to bring it under your control and protect it. MCL 700.7810

Check the two notice clocks

  • Acceptance: subject to subsection (6), within 63 days after accepting trusteeship, notify qualified trust beneficiaries of acceptance, the registration court if any, and your name, address and telephone number. MCL 700.7814(2)(b)
  • Knowledge of irrevocability: subject to subsection (6), within 63 days after learning of an irrevocable trust's creation or that a formerly revocable trust has become irrevocable, notify qualified trust beneficiaries of the trust's existence, the settlor's identity, the registration court if any, and the right to request terms describing or affecting their interests. The trigger is your knowledge, not automatically the date of the person's passing. MCL 700.7814(2)(c)

Ask a Michigan attorney to check who qualifies and how subsection (6) applies before sending notices. A qualifying nondisclosure provision can change the notice duties and recipients. MCL 700.7814(6), 700.7409a(1)-(2)

For the practical work list, read successor trustee first steps. Its Alabama notice section is not Michigan law. Keep the Michigan trust law guide alongside the official sections cited here when discussing your trust with an attorney.

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Written by

TrustHelm Team

TrustHelm

The TrustHelm team creates plain-language guides to help families understand and manage their trusts. Our content is informed by real experiences with trust administration and reviewed for accuracy.

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