What happens if you die without a will in Michigan?
Here's the short answer: Michigan's intestacy laws decide who gets your assets — not you. The result can be very different from what you'd actually want, especially for blended families or unmarried couples.
Who inherits under Michigan law
Without a will, Michigan's default rules generally divide your estate among your spouse and children in fixed shares set by statute — not necessarily "everything to my spouse." If you have children from a prior relationship, your spouse may not automatically inherit everything, and if you're unmarried, your partner may inherit nothing at all, regardless of how long you were together.
What else you lose without a will
- No say in guardianship. If you have minor children, a court decides who raises them if both parents are gone — without your input.
- No control over timing. An 18-year-old beneficiary can receive a full inheritance outright, with no staggered distribution.
- A court-appointed personal representative. Instead of someone you chose, the court appoints someone to administer your estate — often based on a statutory priority list, not your relationship with them.
- A longer, more public process. Intestate estates still go through probate — often with more friction, since there's no document spelling out your wishes.
The fix is usually simple
For most people, a basic will resolves all of this. It doesn't need to be complicated or expensive — a simple will package can be in place within a couple of weeks.