Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

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1-Act No. 72 Public Acts of 2023 Approved by the Governor July 11, 2023 Filed with the Secretary of State July 12, 2023 EFFECTIVE DATE: July 12, 2023 state of michigan 102nd Legislature Regular session of 2023 Introduced by Senators Klinefelt, Geiss, McMorrow, Polehanki, Cherry, Santana, Irwin, Shink, Hertel, Chang, Johnson, Huizenga, Bayer and McCann ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 212 AN ACT to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled An act to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify aspects of the law relating to wills and intestacy, relating to the administration and distribution of estates of certain individuals, relating to trusts, and relating to the affairs of certain individuals under legal incapacity; to provide for the powers and procedures of the court that has jurisdiction over these matters; to provide for the validity and effect of certain transfers, contracts, and deposits that relate to death; to provide procedures to facilitate enforcement of certain trusts; and to repeal acts and parts of acts, by amending sections 2519, 5103, 5204, 5206, and 5215 (MCL 700.2519, 700.5103, 700.5204, 700.5206, and 700.5215), section 2519 as amended by 2010 PA 325, section 5103 as amended by 2016 PA 483, section 5204 as amended by 2005 PA 204, and section 5215 as amended by 2020 PA 365. The People of the State of Michigan enact: Sec. 2519. (1) A will executed in the form prescribed by subsection (2) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Michigan statutory will form is a valid will. A person printing and distributing the Michigan statutory will shall print and distribute the form verbatim as it appears in subsection (2). The notice provisions must be printed in 10-point boldfaced type. (2) The form of the Michigan statutory will is as follows: MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL NOTICE 1. An individual age 18 or older who has sufficient mental capacity may make a will. 2. There are several kinds of wills. If you choose to complete this form, you will have a Michigan statutory will. If this will does not meet your wishes in any way, you should talk with a lawyer before choosing a Michigan statutory will. 3. Warning! It is strongly recommended that you do not add or cross out any words on this form except for filling in the blanks because all or part of this will may not be valid if you do so. 4. This will has no effect on jointly held assets, on retirement plan benefits, or on life insurance on your life if you have named a beneficiary who survives you. 5. This will is not designed to reduce estate taxes. 6. This will treats adopted children and children born outside of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will the same way as children born or conceived during marriage. 7. You should keep this will in your safe deposit box or other safe place. By paying a small fee, you may file this will in your countys probate court for safekeeping. You should tell your family where the will is kept. 8. You may make and sign a new will at any time. If you marry or divorce after you sign this will, you should make and sign a new will. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. To have a Michigan statutory will, you must complete the blanks on the will form. You may do this yourself, or direct someone to do it for you. You must either sign the will or direct someone else to sign it in your name and in your presence. 2. Read the entire Michigan statutory will carefully before you begin filling in the blanks. If there is anything you do not understand, you should ask a lawyer to explain it to you. MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL OF ________________________________ (Print or type your full name) ARTICLE 1. DECLARATIONS This is my will and I revoke any prior wills and codicils. I live in ___________________________County, Michigan. My spouse is ___________________________________________. (Insert spouses name or write none) My children now living are: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ (Insert names or write none) ARTICLE 2. DISPOSITION OF MY ASSETS 2.1 CASH GIFTS TO PERSONS OR CHARITIES. (Optional) I can leave no more than 2 cash gifts. I make the following cash gifts to the persons or charities in the amount stated here. Any transfer tax due upon my death shall be paid from the balance of my estate and not from these gifts. Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift (name only 1 person or charity here): ____________________________________ (Insert name of person or charity) ____________________________________ (Insert address) AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________ AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars ____________________________________ (Your signature) Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift (Name only 1 person or charity): ____________________________________ (Insert name of person or charity) ____________________________________ (Insert address) AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________ AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars ____________________________________ (Your signature) 2.2 PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. I may leave a separate list or statement, either in my handwriting or signed by me at the end, regarding gifts of specific books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items. I give my spouse all my books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items not included on such a separate list or statement. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, my personal representative shall distribute those items, as equally as possible, among my children who survive me. If no children survive me, these items shall be distributed as set forth in paragraph 2.3. 2.3 ALL OTHER ASSETS. I give everything else I own to my spouse. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, I give these assets to my children and the descendants of any deceased child. If no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me, I choose 1 of the following distribution clauses by signing my name on the line after that clause. If I sign on both lines, if I fail to sign on either line, or if I am not now married, these assets will go under distribution clause (b). Distribution clause, if no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me. (Select only 1) (a) One-half to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will, and one-half to be distributed to my spouses heirs as if my spouse had died just after me without a will. ____________________________________ (Your signature) (b) All to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will. ____________________________________ (Your signature) ARTICLE 3. NOMINATIONS OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, GUARDIAN, AND CONSERVATOR Personal representatives, guardians, and conservators have a great deal of responsibility. The role of a personal representative is to collect your assets, pay debts and taxes from those assets, and distribute the remaining assets as directed in the will. A guardian is a person who will look after the physical well-being of a child. A conservator is a person who will manage a childs assets and make payments from those assets for the childs benefit. Select them carefully. Also, before you select them, ask them whether they are willing and able to serve. 3.1 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE. (Name at least 1) I nominate _____________________________________________________ (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution) of _________________________to serve as personal representative. (Insert address) If my first choice does not serve, I nominate __________________ ___________________________________________________________ (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution) of________________________ to serve as personal representative. (Insert address) 3.2 GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR. Your spouse may die before you. Therefore, if you have a child under age 18, name an individual as guardian of the child, and an individual or eligible financial institution as conservator of the childs assets. The guardian and the conservator may, but need not be, the same person. If a guardian or conservator is needed for a child of mine, I nominate _________________________________________ (Insert name of individual) of ____________________________________________ as guardian and (Insert address) ________________________________________________________________ (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution) of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator. (Insert address) If my first choice cannot serve, I nominate __________________________________________ (Insert name of individual) of ___________________________________________ as guardian and (Insert address) ________________________________________________________________ (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution) of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator. (Insert address) 3.3 BOND. A bond is a form of insurance in case your personal representative or a conservator performs improperly and jeopardizes your assets. A bond is not required. You may choose whether you wish to require your personal representative and any conservator to serve with or without bond. Bond premiums would be paid out of your assets. (Select only 1) (a) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve with bond. ____________________________________ (Your signature) (b) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve without bond. ____________________________________ (Your signature) 3.4 DEFINITIONS AND ADDITIONAL CLAUSES. Definitions and additional clauses found at the end of this form are part of this will. I sign my name to this Michigan statutory will on ______________ , 20_____. ____________________________________ (Your signature) NOTICE REGARDING WITNESSES You must use 2 adults as witnesses. It is preferable to have 3 adult witnesses. All the witnesses must observe you sign the will, have you tell them you signed the will, or have you tell them the will was signed at your direction in your presence. STATEMENT OF WITNESSES We sign below as witnesses, declaring that the individual who is making this will appears to have sufficient mental capacity to make this will and appears to be making this will freely, without duress, fraud, or undue influence, and that the individual making this will acknowledges that he or she has read the will, or has had it read to him or her, and understands the contents of this will. _____________________________________ (Print Name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) _____________________________________ (Print name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) _____________________________________ (Print name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) DEFINITIONS The following definitions and rules of construction apply to this Michigan statutory will: (a) Assets means all types of property you can own, such as real estate, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, business interests, furniture, and automobiles. (b) Descendants means your children, grandchildren, and their descendants. (c) Descendants or children includes individuals born or conceived during marriage, individuals legally adopted, and individuals born out of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will. (d) Jointly held assets means those assets to which ownership is transferred automatically upon the death of 1 of the owners to the remaining owner or owners. (e) Spouse means your husband or wife at the time you sign this will. (f) Whenever a distribution under a Michigan statutory will is to be made to an individuals descendants, the assets are to be divided into as many equal shares as there are then living descendants of the nearest degree of living descendants and deceased descendants of that same degree who leave living descendants. Each living descendant of the nearest degree will receive 1 share. The remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the descendant. In this manner, all descendants who are in the same generation will take an equal share. (g) Heirs means those persons who would have received your assets if you had died without a will, domiciled in Michigan, under the laws that are then in effect. (h) Person includes individuals and institutions. (i) Plural and singular words include each other, where appropriate. (j) If a Michigan statutory will states that a person shall perform an act, the person is required to perform that act. If a Michigan statutory will states that a person may do an act, the persons decision to do or not to do the act must be made in good-faith exercise of the persons powers. ADDITIONAL CLAUSES Powers of personal representative 1. A personal representative has all powers of administration given by Michigan law to personal representatives and, to the extent money is not needed to meet debts and expenses currently payable and are not immediately distributable, the power to invest and reinvest the estate from time to time in accordance with the Michigan prudent investor rule. In dividing and distributing the estate, the personal representative may distribute partially or totally in kind, may determine the value of distributions in kind without reference to income tax bases, and may make non-pro rata distributions. 2. The personal representative may distribute estate assets otherwise distributable to a minor beneficiary to the minors conservator or, in amounts not exceeding $5,000.00 per year, either to the minor, if married before the effective date of the 2023 amendatory act that amended this sentence; to a parent or another adult with whom the minor resides and who has the care, custody, or control of the minor; or to the guardian. The personal representative is free of liability and is discharged from further accountability for distributing assets in compliance with this paragraph. POWERS OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR A guardian named in this will has the same authority with respect to the child as a parent having legal custody would have. A conservator named in this will has all of the powers conferred by law. Sec. 5103. (1) By a properly executed power of attorney, a parent or guardian of a minor or a guardian of a legally incapacitated individual may delegate to another person, for a period not exceeding 180 days, any of the parents or guardians powers regarding care, custody, or property of the minor child or ward, except the power to consent to adoption of a minor ward or to release of a minor ward for adoption. (2) A parent shall not knowingly and intentionally delegate his or her powers under this section regarding care and custody of the parents minor child for longer than 180 days for the purpose of permanently transferring custody of the child in violation of section 136c(3) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136c. (3) If a parent or guardian is serving in the armed forces of the United States and is deployed to a foreign nation, and if the power of attorney so provides, a delegation under this section is effective until the thirty-first day after the end of the deployment. (4) If a guardian for a minor or legally incapacitated individual delegates any power under this section, the guardian shall notify the court within 7 days after execution of the power of attorney and provide the court the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney-in-fact. Sec. 5204. (1) A person interested in the welfare of a minor, or a minor if 14 years of age or older, may petition for the appointment of a guardian for the minor. The court may order the department of health and human services or a court employee or agent to conduct an investigation of the proposed guardianship and file a written report of the investigation. (2) The court may appoint a guardian for a minor if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) The parental rights of both parents or the surviving parent are terminated or suspended by prior court order, by judgment of divorce or separate maintenance, by death, by judicial determination of mental incompetency, by disappearance, or by confinement in a place of detention. (b) The parent or parents permit the minor to reside with another person and do not provide the other person with legal authority for the minors care and maintenance, and the minor is not residing with his or her parent or parents when the petition is filed. (c) All of the following: (i) The minors biological parents have never been married to one another. (ii) The minors parent who has custody of the minor dies or is missing and the other parent has not been granted legal custody under court order. (iii) The person whom the petition asks to be appointed guardian is related to the minor within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption. (3) A minors limited guardian may petition to be appointed a guardian for that minor, except that the petition must not be based on suspension of parental rights by the order that appointed that person the limited guardian for that minor. (4) A guardian appointed under section 5202 whose appointment is not prevented or nullified under section 5203 has priority over a guardian who may be appointed by the court. The court may proceed with an appointment on a finding that a guardian appointed in a manner described in section 5202 has failed to accept the appointment within 28 days after the notice of the guardianship proceeding. (5) For the minor wards welfare, the court may at any time order the minor wards parents to pay reasonable support and order reasonable parenting time and contact of the minor ward with his or her parents. Sec. 5206. (1) The court shall review a proposed limited guardianship placement plan filed with the court under section 5205 and shall do 1 of the following: (a) Approve the proposed plan. (b) Disapprove the proposed plan. (c) On its own motion, modify a proposed plan and approve it as modified, if the parties agree to the modification. The modified plan must be filed with the court. (2) A limited guardianship placement plan that has been approved by the court may be modified on agreement of the parties and approval of the court. A modified limited guardianship placement plan must be filed with the court. (3) The voluntary suspension of parental rights under section 5205 does not prevent the parent or parents from filing a petition to terminate the limited guardianship at any time as provided in section 5208. Appointment of a limited guardian under this section is a continuing appointment. (4) A limited guardian appointed under this section has all of the powers and duties enumerated in section 5215 except that a minors limited guardian shall not consent to adoption of the minor ward or to the release of the minor ward for adoption. Sec. 5215. A minors guardian has the powers and responsibilities of a parent who is not deprived of custody of the parents minor and unemancipated child, except that a guardian is not legally obligated to provide for the ward from the guardians own money and is not liable to third persons because of the parental relationship for the wards acts. A guardian has all of the following powers and duties: (a) The guardian shall take reasonable care of a wards personal effects and commence a protective proceeding if necessary to protect the wards other property. If a guardian commences a protective proceeding because the guardian believes that it is in the wards best interest to sell or otherwise dispose of the wards real property or interest in real property, the court may appoint the guardian as special conservator and authorize the special conservator to proceed under section 5423(3). A guardian shall not otherwise sell the wards real property or interest in real property. (b) The guardian may receive money payable for the wards support to the wards parent, guardian, or custodian under the terms of a statutory benefit or insurance system, or a private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship, or custodianship. The guardian may receive the wards money or property paid or delivered under section 5102. Money or property received under section 5102 must be applied to the wards current needs for support, care, and education. The guardian shall exercise due care to conserve any excess for the wards future needs unless a conservator is appointed for the wards estate, in which case the excess must be paid over at least annually to the conservator. The guardian shall not use that money or property for compensation for the guardians services except as approved by court order or as determined by an appointed conservator other than the guardian. A guardian may institute a proceeding to compel a persons performance of a duty to support the ward or to pay money for the wards welfare. (c) The guardian shall facilitate the wards education and social or other activities, and shall authorize medical or other professional care, treatment, or advice. A guardian is not liable because of this consent for injury to the ward resulting from the negligence or acts of third persons unless it would be illegal for a parent to have consented. (d) Subject to the conditions and restrictions of chapter X of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.21 to 710.70, a guardian may consent to adoption of a minor ward or to the release of a minor ward for adoption. (e) A guardian must report the condition of the ward and of the wards estate that is subject to the guardians possession or control as ordered by the court on petition of a person interested in the minors welfare or as required by court rule. The report must detail the condition of the ward, medical or mental health treatment or care to which the ward was subjected, and what reason, if any, exists for the continuation of the guardianship. (f) Within 14 days after a change in the wards place of residence, the guardian shall give to the court notice of the wards new address. (g) A guardian may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the ward as provided in section 3a of the Michigan do-not-resuscitate procedure act, 1996 PA 193, MCL 333.1053a. Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 209 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law. This act is ordered to take immediate effect. Secretary of the Senate Clerk of the House of Representatives Approved___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Governor
1+state of michigan 102nd Legislature Regular session of 2023 Introduced by Senators Klinefelt, Geiss, McMorrow, Polehanki, Cherry, Santana, Irwin, Shink, Hertel, Chang, Johnson, Huizenga, Bayer and McCann ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 212 AN ACT to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled An act to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify aspects of the law relating to wills and intestacy, relating to the administration and distribution of estates of certain individuals, relating to trusts, and relating to the affairs of certain individuals under legal incapacity; to provide for the powers and procedures of the court that has jurisdiction over these matters; to provide for the validity and effect of certain transfers, contracts, and deposits that relate to death; to provide procedures to facilitate enforcement of certain trusts; and to repeal acts and parts of acts, by amending sections 2519, 5103, 5204, 5206, and 5215 (MCL 700.2519, 700.5103, 700.5204, 700.5206, and 700.5215), section 2519 as amended by 2010 PA 325, section 5103 as amended by 2016 PA 483, section 5204 as amended by 2005 PA 204, and section 5215 as amended by 2020 PA 365. The People of the State of Michigan enact: Sec. 2519. (1) A will executed in the form prescribed by subsection (2) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Michigan statutory will form is a valid will. A person printing and distributing the Michigan statutory will shall print and distribute the form verbatim as it appears in subsection (2). The notice provisions must be printed in 10-point boldfaced type. (2) The form of the Michigan statutory will is as follows: MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL NOTICE 1. An individual age 18 or older who has sufficient mental capacity may make a will. 2. There are several kinds of wills. If you choose to complete this form, you will have a Michigan statutory will. If this will does not meet your wishes in any way, you should talk with a lawyer before choosing a Michigan statutory will. 3. Warning! It is strongly recommended that you do not add or cross out any words on this form except for filling in the blanks because all or part of this will may not be valid if you do so. 4. This will has no effect on jointly held assets, on retirement plan benefits, or on life insurance on your life if you have named a beneficiary who survives you. 5. This will is not designed to reduce estate taxes. 6. This will treats adopted children and children born outside of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will the same way as children born or conceived during marriage. 7. You should keep this will in your safe deposit box or other safe place. By paying a small fee, you may file this will in your countys probate court for safekeeping. You should tell your family where the will is kept. 8. You may make and sign a new will at any time. If you marry or divorce after you sign this will, you should make and sign a new will. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. To have a Michigan statutory will, you must complete the blanks on the will form. You may do this yourself, or direct someone to do it for you. You must either sign the will or direct someone else to sign it in your name and in your presence. 2. Read the entire Michigan statutory will carefully before you begin filling in the blanks. If there is anything you do not understand, you should ask a lawyer to explain it to you. MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL OF ________________________________ (Print or type your full name) ARTICLE 1. DECLARATIONS This is my will and I revoke any prior wills and codicils. I live in ___________________________County, Michigan. My spouse is ___________________________________________. (Insert spouses name or write none) My children now living are: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ (Insert names or write none) ARTICLE 2. DISPOSITION OF MY ASSETS 2.1 CASH GIFTS TO PERSONS OR CHARITIES. (Optional) I can leave no more than 2 cash gifts. I make the following cash gifts to the persons or charities in the amount stated here. Any transfer tax due upon my death shall be paid from the balance of my estate and not from these gifts. Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift (name only 1 person or charity here): ____________________________________ (Insert name of person or charity) ____________________________________ (Insert address) AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________ AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars ____________________________________ (Your signature) Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift (Name only 1 person or charity): ____________________________________ (Insert name of person or charity) ____________________________________ (Insert address) AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________ AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars ____________________________________ (Your signature) 2.2 PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. I may leave a separate list or statement, either in my handwriting or signed by me at the end, regarding gifts of specific books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items. I give my spouse all my books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items not included on such a separate list or statement. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, my personal representative shall distribute those items, as equally as possible, among my children who survive me. If no children survive me, these items shall be distributed as set forth in paragraph 2.3. 2.3 ALL OTHER ASSETS. I give everything else I own to my spouse. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, I give these assets to my children and the descendants of any deceased child. If no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me, I choose 1 of the following distribution clauses by signing my name on the line after that clause. If I sign on both lines, if I fail to sign on either line, or if I am not now married, these assets will go under distribution clause (b). Distribution clause, if no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me. (Select only 1) (a) One-half to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will, and one-half to be distributed to my spouses heirs as if my spouse had died just after me without a will. ____________________________________ (Your signature) (b) All to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will. ____________________________________ (Your signature) ARTICLE 3. NOMINATIONS OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, GUARDIAN, AND CONSERVATOR Personal representatives, guardians, and conservators have a great deal of responsibility. The role of a personal representative is to collect your assets, pay debts and taxes from those assets, and distribute the remaining assets as directed in the will. A guardian is a person who will look after the physical well-being of a child. A conservator is a person who will manage a childs assets and make payments from those assets for the childs benefit. Select them carefully. Also, before you select them, ask them whether they are willing and able to serve. 3.1 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE. (Name at least 1) I nominate _____________________________________________________ (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution) of _________________________to serve as personal representative. (Insert address) If my first choice does not serve, I nominate __________________ ___________________________________________________________ (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution) of________________________ to serve as personal representative. (Insert address) 3.2 GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR. Your spouse may die before you. Therefore, if you have a child under age 18, name an individual as guardian of the child, and an individual or eligible financial institution as conservator of the childs assets. The guardian and the conservator may, but need not be, the same person. If a guardian or conservator is needed for a child of mine, I nominate _________________________________________ (Insert name of individual) of ____________________________________________ as guardian and (Insert address) ________________________________________________________________ (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution) of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator. (Insert address) If my first choice cannot serve, I nominate __________________________________________ (Insert name of individual) of ___________________________________________ as guardian and (Insert address) ________________________________________________________________ (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution) of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator. (Insert address) 3.3 BOND. A bond is a form of insurance in case your personal representative or a conservator performs improperly and jeopardizes your assets. A bond is not required. You may choose whether you wish to require your personal representative and any conservator to serve with or without bond. Bond premiums would be paid out of your assets. (Select only 1) (a) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve with bond. ____________________________________ (Your signature) (b) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve without bond. ____________________________________ (Your signature) 3.4 DEFINITIONS AND ADDITIONAL CLAUSES. Definitions and additional clauses found at the end of this form are part of this will. I sign my name to this Michigan statutory will on ______________ , 20_____. ____________________________________ (Your signature) NOTICE REGARDING WITNESSES You must use 2 adults as witnesses. It is preferable to have 3 adult witnesses. All the witnesses must observe you sign the will, have you tell them you signed the will, or have you tell them the will was signed at your direction in your presence. STATEMENT OF WITNESSES We sign below as witnesses, declaring that the individual who is making this will appears to have sufficient mental capacity to make this will and appears to be making this will freely, without duress, fraud, or undue influence, and that the individual making this will acknowledges that he or she has read the will, or has had it read to him or her, and understands the contents of this will. _____________________________________ (Print Name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) _____________________________________ (Print name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) _____________________________________ (Print name) _____________________________________ (Signature of witness) _____________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________ ______ ______ (City) (State) (Zip) DEFINITIONS The following definitions and rules of construction apply to this Michigan statutory will: (a) Assets means all types of property you can own, such as real estate, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, business interests, furniture, and automobiles. (b) Descendants means your children, grandchildren, and their descendants. (c) Descendants or children includes individuals born or conceived during marriage, individuals legally adopted, and individuals born out of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will. (d) Jointly held assets means those assets to which ownership is transferred automatically upon the death of 1 of the owners to the remaining owner or owners. (e) Spouse means your husband or wife at the time you sign this will. (f) Whenever a distribution under a Michigan statutory will is to be made to an individuals descendants, the assets are to be divided into as many equal shares as there are then living descendants of the nearest degree of living descendants and deceased descendants of that same degree who leave living descendants. Each living descendant of the nearest degree will receive 1 share. The remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the descendant. In this manner, all descendants who are in the same generation will take an equal share. (g) Heirs means those persons who would have received your assets if you had died without a will, domiciled in Michigan, under the laws that are then in effect. (h) Person includes individuals and institutions. (i) Plural and singular words include each other, where appropriate. (j) If a Michigan statutory will states that a person shall perform an act, the person is required to perform that act. If a Michigan statutory will states that a person may do an act, the persons decision to do or not to do the act must be made in good-faith exercise of the persons powers. ADDITIONAL CLAUSES Powers of personal representative 1. A personal representative has all powers of administration given by Michigan law to personal representatives and, to the extent money is not needed to meet debts and expenses currently payable and are not immediately distributable, the power to invest and reinvest the estate from time to time in accordance with the Michigan prudent investor rule. In dividing and distributing the estate, the personal representative may distribute partially or totally in kind, may determine the value of distributions in kind without reference to income tax bases, and may make non-pro rata distributions. 2. The personal representative may distribute estate assets otherwise distributable to a minor beneficiary to the minors conservator or, in amounts not exceeding $5,000.00 per year, either to the minor, if married before the effective date of the 2023 amendatory act that amended this sentence; to a parent or another adult with whom the minor resides and who has the care, custody, or control of the minor; or to the guardian. The personal representative is free of liability and is discharged from further accountability for distributing assets in compliance with this paragraph. POWERS OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR A guardian named in this will has the same authority with respect to the child as a parent having legal custody would have. A conservator named in this will has all of the powers conferred by law. Sec. 5103. (1) By a properly executed power of attorney, a parent or guardian of a minor or a guardian of a legally incapacitated individual may delegate to another person, for a period not exceeding 180 days, any of the parents or guardians powers regarding care, custody, or property of the minor child or ward, except the power to consent to adoption of a minor ward or to release of a minor ward for adoption. (2) A parent shall not knowingly and intentionally delegate his or her powers under this section regarding care and custody of the parents minor child for longer than 180 days for the purpose of permanently transferring custody of the child in violation of section 136c(3) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136c. (3) If a parent or guardian is serving in the armed forces of the United States and is deployed to a foreign nation, and if the power of attorney so provides, a delegation under this section is effective until the thirty-first day after the end of the deployment. (4) If a guardian for a minor or legally incapacitated individual delegates any power under this section, the guardian shall notify the court within 7 days after execution of the power of attorney and provide the court the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney-in-fact. Sec. 5204. (1) A person interested in the welfare of a minor, or a minor if 14 years of age or older, may petition for the appointment of a guardian for the minor. The court may order the department of health and human services or a court employee or agent to conduct an investigation of the proposed guardianship and file a written report of the investigation. (2) The court may appoint a guardian for a minor if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) The parental rights of both parents or the surviving parent are terminated or suspended by prior court order, by judgment of divorce or separate maintenance, by death, by judicial determination of mental incompetency, by disappearance, or by confinement in a place of detention. (b) The parent or parents permit the minor to reside with another person and do not provide the other person with legal authority for the minors care and maintenance, and the minor is not residing with his or her parent or parents when the petition is filed. (c) All of the following: (i) The minors biological parents have never been married to one another. (ii) The minors parent who has custody of the minor dies or is missing and the other parent has not been granted legal custody under court order. (iii) The person whom the petition asks to be appointed guardian is related to the minor within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption. (3) A minors limited guardian may petition to be appointed a guardian for that minor, except that the petition must not be based on suspension of parental rights by the order that appointed that person the limited guardian for that minor. (4) A guardian appointed under section 5202 whose appointment is not prevented or nullified under section 5203 has priority over a guardian who may be appointed by the court. The court may proceed with an appointment on a finding that a guardian appointed in a manner described in section 5202 has failed to accept the appointment within 28 days after the notice of the guardianship proceeding. (5) For the minor wards welfare, the court may at any time order the minor wards parents to pay reasonable support and order reasonable parenting time and contact of the minor ward with his or her parents. Sec. 5206. (1) The court shall review a proposed limited guardianship placement plan filed with the court under section 5205 and shall do 1 of the following: (a) Approve the proposed plan. (b) Disapprove the proposed plan. (c) On its own motion, modify a proposed plan and approve it as modified, if the parties agree to the modification. The modified plan must be filed with the court. (2) A limited guardianship placement plan that has been approved by the court may be modified on agreement of the parties and approval of the court. A modified limited guardianship placement plan must be filed with the court. (3) The voluntary suspension of parental rights under section 5205 does not prevent the parent or parents from filing a petition to terminate the limited guardianship at any time as provided in section 5208. Appointment of a limited guardian under this section is a continuing appointment. (4) A limited guardian appointed under this section has all of the powers and duties enumerated in section 5215 except that a minors limited guardian shall not consent to adoption of the minor ward or to the release of the minor ward for adoption. Sec. 5215. A minors guardian has the powers and responsibilities of a parent who is not deprived of custody of the parents minor and unemancipated child, except that a guardian is not legally obligated to provide for the ward from the guardians own money and is not liable to third persons because of the parental relationship for the wards acts. A guardian has all of the following powers and duties: (a) The guardian shall take reasonable care of a wards personal effects and commence a protective proceeding if necessary to protect the wards other property. If a guardian commences a protective proceeding because the guardian believes that it is in the wards best interest to sell or otherwise dispose of the wards real property or interest in real property, the court may appoint the guardian as special conservator and authorize the special conservator to proceed under section 5423(3). A guardian shall not otherwise sell the wards real property or interest in real property. (b) The guardian may receive money payable for the wards support to the wards parent, guardian, or custodian under the terms of a statutory benefit or insurance system, or a private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship, or custodianship. The guardian may receive the wards money or property paid or delivered under section 5102. Money or property received under section 5102 must be applied to the wards current needs for support, care, and education. The guardian shall exercise due care to conserve any excess for the wards future needs unless a conservator is appointed for the wards estate, in which case the excess must be paid over at least annually to the conservator. The guardian shall not use that money or property for compensation for the guardians services except as approved by court order or as determined by an appointed conservator other than the guardian. A guardian may institute a proceeding to compel a persons performance of a duty to support the ward or to pay money for the wards welfare. (c) The guardian shall facilitate the wards education and social or other activities, and shall authorize medical or other professional care, treatment, or advice. A guardian is not liable because of this consent for injury to the ward resulting from the negligence or acts of third persons unless it would be illegal for a parent to have consented. (d) Subject to the conditions and restrictions of chapter X of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.21 to 710.70, a guardian may consent to adoption of a minor ward or to the release of a minor ward for adoption. (e) A guardian must report the condition of the ward and of the wards estate that is subject to the guardians possession or control as ordered by the court on petition of a person interested in the minors welfare or as required by court rule. The report must detail the condition of the ward, medical or mental health treatment or care to which the ward was subjected, and what reason, if any, exists for the continuation of the guardianship. (f) Within 14 days after a change in the wards place of residence, the guardian shall give to the court notice of the wards new address. (g) A guardian may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the ward as provided in section 3a of the Michigan do-not-resuscitate procedure act, 1996 PA 193, MCL 333.1053a. Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 209 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law. This act is ordered to take immediate effect. Secretary of the Senate Clerk of the House of Representatives Approved___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Governor
22
3-Act No. 72
43
5-Public Acts of 2023
64
7-Approved by the Governor
85
9-July 11, 2023
106
11-Filed with the Secretary of State
127
13-July 12, 2023
148
15-EFFECTIVE DATE: July 12, 2023
9+
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1616
1717 state of michigan
1818
1919 102nd Legislature
2020
2121 Regular session of 2023
2222
2323 Introduced by Senators Klinefelt, Geiss, McMorrow, Polehanki, Cherry, Santana, Irwin, Shink, Hertel, Chang, Johnson, Huizenga, Bayer and McCann
2424
2525 ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 212
2626
2727 AN ACT to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled An act to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify aspects of the law relating to wills and intestacy, relating to the administration and distribution of estates of certain individuals, relating to trusts, and relating to the affairs of certain individuals under legal incapacity; to provide for the powers and procedures of the court that has jurisdiction over these matters; to provide for the validity and effect of certain transfers, contracts, and deposits that relate to death; to provide procedures to facilitate enforcement of certain trusts; and to repeal acts and parts of acts, by amending sections 2519, 5103, 5204, 5206, and 5215 (MCL 700.2519, 700.5103, 700.5204, 700.5206, and 700.5215), section 2519 as amended by 2010 PA 325, section 5103 as amended by 2016 PA 483, section 5204 as amended by 2005 PA 204, and section 5215 as amended by 2020 PA 365.
2828
2929 The People of the State of Michigan enact:
3030
3131 Sec. 2519. (1) A will executed in the form prescribed by subsection (2) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Michigan statutory will form is a valid will. A person printing and distributing the Michigan statutory will shall print and distribute the form verbatim as it appears in subsection (2). The notice provisions must be printed in 10-point boldfaced type.
3232
3333 (2) The form of the Michigan statutory will is as follows:
3434
3535 MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL NOTICE
3636
3737 MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL NOTICE
3838
3939 1. An individual age 18 or older who has sufficient mental capacity may make a will.
4040
4141 2. There are several kinds of wills. If you choose to complete this form, you will have a Michigan statutory will. If this will does not meet your wishes in any way, you should talk with a lawyer before choosing a Michigan statutory will.
4242
4343 3. Warning! It is strongly recommended that you do not add or cross out any words on this form except for filling in the blanks because all or part of this will may not be valid if you do so.
4444
4545 4. This will has no effect on jointly held assets, on retirement plan benefits, or on life insurance on your life if you have named a beneficiary who survives you.
4646
4747 5. This will is not designed to reduce estate taxes.
4848
4949 6. This will treats adopted children and children born outside of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will the same way as children born or conceived during marriage.
5050
5151 7. You should keep this will in your safe deposit box or other safe place. By paying a small fee, you may file this will in your countys probate court for safekeeping. You should tell your family where the will is kept.
5252
5353 8. You may make and sign a new will at any time. If you marry or divorce after you sign this will, you should make and sign a new will.
5454
5555 INSTRUCTIONS:
5656
5757 INSTRUCTIONS:
5858
5959 1. To have a Michigan statutory will, you must complete the blanks on the will form. You may do this yourself, or direct someone to do it for you. You must either sign the will or direct someone else to sign it in your name and in your presence.
6060
6161 2. Read the entire Michigan statutory will carefully before you begin filling in the blanks. If there is anything you do not understand, you should ask a lawyer to explain it to you.
6262
6363 MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL OF ________________________________
6464 (Print or type your full name)
6565 ARTICLE 1. DECLARATIONS
6666 This is my will and I revoke any prior wills and codicils. I live in ___________________________County, Michigan.
6767 My spouse is ___________________________________________.
6868 (Insert spouses name or write none)
6969 My children now living are:
7070 _______________________________ _______________________________
7171 _______________________________ _______________________________
7272 _______________________________ _______________________________
7373 (Insert names or write none)
7474 ARTICLE 2. DISPOSITION OF MY ASSETS
7575 2.1 CASH GIFTS TO PERSONS OR CHARITIES.
7676 (Optional)
7777
7878 MICHIGAN STATUTORY WILL OF
7979
8080 ________________________________
8181
8282 (Print or type your full name)
8383
8484 ARTICLE 1. DECLARATIONS
8585
8686 This is my will and I revoke any prior wills and codicils. I live in ___________________________County, Michigan.
8787
8888 My spouse is ___________________________________________.
8989
9090 (Insert spouses name or write none)
9191
9292 My children now living are:
9393
9494 _______________________________
9595
9696 _______________________________
9797
9898 _______________________________
9999
100100 _______________________________
101101
102102 _______________________________
103103
104104 _______________________________
105105
106106 (Insert names or write none)
107107
108108 ARTICLE 2. DISPOSITION OF MY ASSETS
109109
110110 2.1 CASH GIFTS TO PERSONS OR CHARITIES.
111111
112112 (Optional)
113113
114114 I can leave no more than 2 cash gifts. I make the following cash gifts to the persons or charities in the amount stated here. Any transfer tax due upon my death shall be paid from the balance of my estate and not from these gifts. Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift (name only 1 person or charity here):
115115
116116 ____________________________________
117117 (Insert name of person or charity)
118118 ____________________________________
119119 (Insert address)
120120 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________
121121 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars
122122 ____________________________________
123123 (Your signature)
124124 Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift
125125 (Name only 1 person or charity):
126126 ____________________________________
127127 (Insert name of person or charity)
128128 ____________________________________
129129 (Insert address)
130130 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________
131131 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars
132132 ____________________________________
133133 (Your signature)
134134 2.2 PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
135135
136136 ____________________________________
137137
138138 (Insert name of person or charity)
139139
140140 ____________________________________
141141
142142 (Insert address)
143143
144144 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________
145145
146146 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars
147147
148148 ____________________________________
149149
150150 (Your signature)
151151
152152 Full name and address of person or charity to receive cash gift
153153
154154 (Name only 1 person or charity):
155155
156156 ____________________________________
157157
158158 (Insert name of person or charity)
159159
160160 ____________________________________
161161
162162 (Insert address)
163163
164164 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In figures): $ ________________________________
165165
166166 AMOUNT OF GIFT (In words): ____________________________ Dollars
167167
168168 ____________________________________
169169
170170 (Your signature)
171171
172172 2.2 PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
173173
174174 I may leave a separate list or statement, either in my handwriting or signed by me at the end, regarding gifts of specific books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items.
175175
176176 I give my spouse all my books, jewelry, clothing, automobiles, furniture, and other personal and household items not included on such a separate list or statement. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, my personal representative shall distribute those items, as equally as possible, among my children who survive me. If no children survive me, these items shall be distributed as set forth in paragraph 2.3.
177177
178178 2.3 ALL OTHER ASSETS.
179179
180180 2.3 ALL OTHER ASSETS.
181181
182182 I give everything else I own to my spouse. If I am not married at the time I sign this will or if my spouse dies before me, I give these assets to my children and the descendants of any deceased child. If no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me, I choose 1 of the following distribution clauses by signing my name on the line after that clause. If I sign on both lines, if I fail to sign on either line, or if I am not now married, these assets will go under distribution clause (b).
183183
184184 Distribution clause, if no spouse, children, or descendants of children survive me.
185185
186186 (Select only 1)
187187
188188 (a) One-half to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will, and one-half to be distributed to my spouses heirs as if my spouse had died just after me without a will.
189189
190190 ____________________________________
191191 (Your signature)
192192
193193 ____________________________________
194194
195195 (Your signature)
196196
197197 (b) All to be distributed to my heirs as if I did not have a will.
198198
199199 ____________________________________
200200 (Your signature)
201201 ARTICLE 3. NOMINATIONS OF PERSONAL
202202 REPRESENTATIVE, GUARDIAN, AND CONSERVATOR
203203
204204 ____________________________________
205205
206206 (Your signature)
207207
208208 ARTICLE 3. NOMINATIONS OF PERSONAL
209209
210210 REPRESENTATIVE, GUARDIAN, AND CONSERVATOR
211211
212212 Personal representatives, guardians, and conservators have a great deal of responsibility. The role of a personal representative is to collect your assets, pay debts and taxes from those assets, and distribute the remaining assets as directed in the will. A guardian is a person who will look after the physical well-being of a child. A conservator is a person who will manage a childs assets and make payments from those assets for the childs benefit. Select them carefully. Also, before you select them, ask them whether they are willing and able to serve.
213213
214214 3.1 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE.
215215 (Name at least 1)
216216 I nominate _____________________________________________________
217217 (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution)
218218 of _________________________to serve as personal representative.
219219 (Insert address)
220220 If my first choice does not serve, I nominate __________________ ___________________________________________________________
221221 (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution)
222222 of________________________ to serve as personal representative.
223223 (Insert address)
224224 3.2 GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR.
225225
226226 3.1 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE.
227227
228228 (Name at least 1)
229229
230230 I nominate _____________________________________________________
231231
232232 (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution)
233233
234234 of _________________________to serve as personal representative.
235235
236236 (Insert address)
237237
238238 If my first choice does not serve, I nominate __________________ ___________________________________________________________
239239
240240 (Insert name of person or eligible financial institution)
241241
242242 of________________________ to serve as personal representative.
243243
244244 (Insert address)
245245
246246 3.2 GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR.
247247
248248 Your spouse may die before you. Therefore, if you have a child under age 18, name an individual as guardian of the child, and an individual or eligible financial institution as conservator of the childs assets. The guardian and the conservator may, but need not be, the same person.
249249
250250 If a guardian or conservator is needed for a child of mine, I nominate _________________________________________
251251 (Insert name of individual)
252252 of ____________________________________________ as guardian and
253253 (Insert address)
254254 ________________________________________________________________
255255 (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution)
256256 of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator.
257257 (Insert address)
258258 If my first choice cannot serve, I nominate __________________________________________
259259 (Insert name of individual)
260260 of ___________________________________________ as guardian and
261261 (Insert address)
262262 ________________________________________________________________
263263 (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution)
264264 of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator.
265265 (Insert address)
266266 3.3 BOND.
267267
268268 If a guardian or conservator is needed for a child of mine, I nominate _________________________________________
269269
270270 (Insert name of individual)
271271
272272 of ____________________________________________ as guardian and
273273
274274 (Insert address)
275275
276276 ________________________________________________________________
277277
278278 (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution)
279279
280280 of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator.
281281
282282 (Insert address)
283283
284284 If my first choice cannot serve, I nominate
285285
286286 __________________________________________
287287
288288 (Insert name of individual)
289289
290290 of ___________________________________________ as guardian and
291291
292292 (Insert address)
293293
294294 ________________________________________________________________
295295
296296 (Insert name of individual or eligible financial institution)
297297
298298 of ____________________________________ to serve as conservator.
299299
300300 (Insert address)
301301
302302 3.3 BOND.
303303
304304 A bond is a form of insurance in case your personal representative or a conservator performs improperly and jeopardizes your assets. A bond is not required. You may choose whether you wish to require your personal representative and any conservator to serve with or without bond. Bond premiums would be paid out of your assets. (Select only 1)
305305
306306 (a) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve with bond.
307307
308308 ____________________________________
309309 (Your signature)
310310
311311 ____________________________________
312312
313313 (Your signature)
314314
315315 (b) My personal representative and any conservator I have named shall serve without bond.
316316
317317 ____________________________________
318318 (Your signature)
319319 3.4 DEFINITIONS AND ADDITIONAL CLAUSES.
320320
321321 ____________________________________
322322
323323 (Your signature)
324324
325325 3.4 DEFINITIONS AND ADDITIONAL CLAUSES.
326326
327327 Definitions and additional clauses found at the end of this form are part of this will.
328328
329329 I sign my name to this Michigan statutory will on ______________ , 20_____.
330330
331331 ____________________________________
332332 (Your signature)
333333 NOTICE REGARDING WITNESSES
334334
335335 ____________________________________
336336
337337 (Your signature)
338338
339339 NOTICE REGARDING WITNESSES
340340
341341 You must use 2 adults as witnesses. It is preferable to have 3 adult witnesses. All the witnesses must observe you sign the will, have you tell them you signed the will, or have you tell them the will was signed at your direction in your presence.
342342
343343 STATEMENT OF WITNESSES
344344
345345 STATEMENT OF WITNESSES
346346
347347 We sign below as witnesses, declaring that the individual who is making this will appears to have sufficient mental capacity to make this will and appears to be making this will freely, without duress, fraud, or undue influence, and that the individual making this will acknowledges that he or she has read the will, or has had it read to him or her, and understands the contents of this will.
348348
349349 _____________________________________
350350 (Print Name)
351351 _____________________________________
352352 (Signature of witness)
353353 _____________________________________
354354 (Address)
355355 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
356356 (City) (State) (Zip)
357357 _____________________________________
358358 (Print name)
359359 _____________________________________
360360 (Signature of witness)
361361 _____________________________________
362362 (Address)
363363 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
364364 (City) (State) (Zip)
365365 _____________________________________
366366 (Print name)
367367 _____________________________________
368368 (Signature of witness)
369369 _____________________________________
370370 (Address)
371371 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
372372 (City) (State) (Zip)
373373 DEFINITIONS
374374
375375 _____________________________________
376376
377377 (Print Name)
378378
379379 _____________________________________
380380
381381 (Signature of witness)
382382
383383 _____________________________________
384384
385385 (Address)
386386
387387 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
388388
389389 (City)
390390
391391 (State) (Zip)
392392
393393 _____________________________________
394394
395395 (Print name)
396396
397397 _____________________________________
398398
399399 (Signature of witness)
400400
401401 _____________________________________
402402
403403 (Address)
404404
405405 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
406406
407407 (City)
408408
409409 (State) (Zip)
410410
411411 _____________________________________
412412
413413 (Print name)
414414
415415 _____________________________________
416416
417417 (Signature of witness)
418418
419419 _____________________________________
420420
421421 (Address)
422422
423423 ___________________________________________________ ______ ______
424424
425425 (City)
426426
427427 (State) (Zip)
428428
429429 DEFINITIONS
430430
431431 The following definitions and rules of construction apply to this Michigan statutory will:
432432
433433 (a) Assets means all types of property you can own, such as real estate, stocks and bonds, bank accounts, business interests, furniture, and automobiles.
434434
435435 (b) Descendants means your children, grandchildren, and their descendants.
436436
437437 (c) Descendants or children includes individuals born or conceived during marriage, individuals legally adopted, and individuals born out of wedlock who would inherit if their parent died without a will.
438438
439439 (d) Jointly held assets means those assets to which ownership is transferred automatically upon the death of 1 of the owners to the remaining owner or owners.
440440
441441 (e) Spouse means your husband or wife at the time you sign this will.
442442
443443 (f) Whenever a distribution under a Michigan statutory will is to be made to an individuals descendants, the assets are to be divided into as many equal shares as there are then living descendants of the nearest degree of living descendants and deceased descendants of that same degree who leave living descendants. Each living descendant of the nearest degree will receive 1 share. The remaining shares, if any, are combined and then divided in the same manner among the surviving descendants of the deceased descendants as if the surviving descendants who were allocated a share and their surviving descendants had predeceased the descendant. In this manner, all descendants who are in the same generation will take an equal share.
444444
445445 (g) Heirs means those persons who would have received your assets if you had died without a will, domiciled in Michigan, under the laws that are then in effect.
446446
447447 (h) Person includes individuals and institutions.
448448
449449 (i) Plural and singular words include each other, where appropriate.
450450
451451 (j) If a Michigan statutory will states that a person shall perform an act, the person is required to perform that act. If a Michigan statutory will states that a person may do an act, the persons decision to do or not to do the act must be made in good-faith exercise of the persons powers.
452452
453453 ADDITIONAL CLAUSES
454454 Powers of personal representative
455455
456456 ADDITIONAL CLAUSES
457457
458458 Powers of personal representative
459459
460460 1. A personal representative has all powers of administration given by Michigan law to personal representatives and, to the extent money is not needed to meet debts and expenses currently payable and are not immediately distributable, the power to invest and reinvest the estate from time to time in accordance with the Michigan prudent investor rule. In dividing and distributing the estate, the personal representative may distribute partially or totally in kind, may determine the value of distributions in kind without reference to income tax bases, and may make non-pro rata distributions.
461461
462462 2. The personal representative may distribute estate assets otherwise distributable to a minor beneficiary to the minors conservator or, in amounts not exceeding $5,000.00 per year, either to the minor, if married before the effective date of the 2023 amendatory act that amended this sentence; to a parent or another adult with whom the minor resides and who has the care, custody, or control of the minor; or to the guardian. The personal representative is free of liability and is discharged from further accountability for distributing assets in compliance with this paragraph.
463463
464464 POWERS OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR
465465
466466 POWERS OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR
467467
468468 A guardian named in this will has the same authority with respect to the child as a parent having legal custody would have. A conservator named in this will has all of the powers conferred by law.
469469
470470
471471
472472 Sec. 5103. (1) By a properly executed power of attorney, a parent or guardian of a minor or a guardian of a legally incapacitated individual may delegate to another person, for a period not exceeding 180 days, any of the parents or guardians powers regarding care, custody, or property of the minor child or ward, except the power to consent to adoption of a minor ward or to release of a minor ward for adoption.
473473
474474 (2) A parent shall not knowingly and intentionally delegate his or her powers under this section regarding care and custody of the parents minor child for longer than 180 days for the purpose of permanently transferring custody of the child in violation of section 136c(3) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136c.
475475
476476 (3) If a parent or guardian is serving in the armed forces of the United States and is deployed to a foreign nation, and if the power of attorney so provides, a delegation under this section is effective until the thirty-first day after the end of the deployment.
477477
478478 (4) If a guardian for a minor or legally incapacitated individual delegates any power under this section, the guardian shall notify the court within 7 days after execution of the power of attorney and provide the court the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney-in-fact.
479479
480480
481481
482482 Sec. 5204. (1) A person interested in the welfare of a minor, or a minor if 14 years of age or older, may petition for the appointment of a guardian for the minor. The court may order the department of health and human services or a court employee or agent to conduct an investigation of the proposed guardianship and file a written report of the investigation.
483483
484484 (2) The court may appoint a guardian for a minor if any of the following circumstances exist:
485485
486486 (a) The parental rights of both parents or the surviving parent are terminated or suspended by prior court order, by judgment of divorce or separate maintenance, by death, by judicial determination of mental incompetency, by disappearance, or by confinement in a place of detention.
487487
488488 (b) The parent or parents permit the minor to reside with another person and do not provide the other person with legal authority for the minors care and maintenance, and the minor is not residing with his or her parent or parents when the petition is filed.
489489
490490 (c) All of the following:
491491
492492 (i) The minors biological parents have never been married to one another.
493493
494494 (ii) The minors parent who has custody of the minor dies or is missing and the other parent has not been granted legal custody under court order.
495495
496496 (iii) The person whom the petition asks to be appointed guardian is related to the minor within the fifth degree by marriage, blood, or adoption.
497497
498498 (3) A minors limited guardian may petition to be appointed a guardian for that minor, except that the petition must not be based on suspension of parental rights by the order that appointed that person the limited guardian for that minor.
499499
500500 (4) A guardian appointed under section 5202 whose appointment is not prevented or nullified under section 5203 has priority over a guardian who may be appointed by the court. The court may proceed with an appointment on a finding that a guardian appointed in a manner described in section 5202 has failed to accept the appointment within 28 days after the notice of the guardianship proceeding.
501501
502502 (5) For the minor wards welfare, the court may at any time order the minor wards parents to pay reasonable support and order reasonable parenting time and contact of the minor ward with his or her parents.
503503
504504
505505
506506 Sec. 5206. (1) The court shall review a proposed limited guardianship placement plan filed with the court under section 5205 and shall do 1 of the following:
507507
508508 (a) Approve the proposed plan.
509509
510510 (b) Disapprove the proposed plan.
511511
512512 (c) On its own motion, modify a proposed plan and approve it as modified, if the parties agree to the modification. The modified plan must be filed with the court.
513513
514514 (2) A limited guardianship placement plan that has been approved by the court may be modified on agreement of the parties and approval of the court. A modified limited guardianship placement plan must be filed with the court.
515515
516516 (3) The voluntary suspension of parental rights under section 5205 does not prevent the parent or parents from filing a petition to terminate the limited guardianship at any time as provided in section 5208. Appointment of a limited guardian under this section is a continuing appointment.
517517
518518 (4) A limited guardian appointed under this section has all of the powers and duties enumerated in section 5215 except that a minors limited guardian shall not consent to adoption of the minor ward or to the release of the minor ward for adoption.
519519
520520
521521
522522 Sec. 5215. A minors guardian has the powers and responsibilities of a parent who is not deprived of custody of the parents minor and unemancipated child, except that a guardian is not legally obligated to provide for the ward from the guardians own money and is not liable to third persons because of the parental relationship for the wards acts. A guardian has all of the following powers and duties:
523523
524524 (a) The guardian shall take reasonable care of a wards personal effects and commence a protective proceeding if necessary to protect the wards other property. If a guardian commences a protective proceeding because the guardian believes that it is in the wards best interest to sell or otherwise dispose of the wards real property or interest in real property, the court may appoint the guardian as special conservator and authorize the special conservator to proceed under section 5423(3). A guardian shall not otherwise sell the wards real property or interest in real property.
525525
526526 (b) The guardian may receive money payable for the wards support to the wards parent, guardian, or custodian under the terms of a statutory benefit or insurance system, or a private contract, devise, trust, conservatorship, or custodianship. The guardian may receive the wards money or property paid or delivered under section 5102. Money or property received under section 5102 must be applied to the wards current needs for support, care, and education. The guardian shall exercise due care to conserve any excess for the wards future needs unless a conservator is appointed for the wards estate, in which case the excess must be paid over at least annually to the conservator. The guardian shall not use that money or property for compensation for the guardians services except as approved by court order or as determined by an appointed conservator other than the guardian. A guardian may institute a proceeding to compel a persons performance of a duty to support the ward or to pay money for the wards welfare.
527527
528528 (c) The guardian shall facilitate the wards education and social or other activities, and shall authorize medical or other professional care, treatment, or advice. A guardian is not liable because of this consent for injury to the ward resulting from the negligence or acts of third persons unless it would be illegal for a parent to have consented.
529529
530530 (d) Subject to the conditions and restrictions of chapter X of the probate code of 1939, 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.21 to 710.70, a guardian may consent to adoption of a minor ward or to the release of a minor ward for adoption.
531531
532532 (e) A guardian must report the condition of the ward and of the wards estate that is subject to the guardians possession or control as ordered by the court on petition of a person interested in the minors welfare or as required by court rule. The report must detail the condition of the ward, medical or mental health treatment or care to which the ward was subjected, and what reason, if any, exists for the continuation of the guardianship.
533533
534534 (f) Within 14 days after a change in the wards place of residence, the guardian shall give to the court notice of the wards new address.
535535
536536 (g) A guardian may execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the ward as provided in section 3a of the Michigan do-not-resuscitate procedure act, 1996 PA 193, MCL 333.1053a.
537537
538538
539539
540540 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 209 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.
541541
542542 This act is ordered to take immediate effect.
543543
544544
545545
546546
547547
548548 Secretary of the Senate
549549
550550
551551
552552
553553
554554 Clerk of the House of Representatives
555555
556556 Approved___________________________________________
557557
558558 ____________________________________________________
559559
560560 Governor