Protecting Personal Information: Recent Updates in Michigan Probate Filing Requirements

Probate court proceedings having public information has long created privacy concerns. However, Michigan courts have updated their court rules and filing requirements in order to remove protection of personal information (PII) from the public Michigan probate system. In this post, the probate lawyers of Thompson Legal will discuss the updates in Courts to safeguard personal information and introduce the required filing forms, MC97 and MC97a.

Recent Changes in Michigan Courts

In an age where personal data security is of paramount importance, Michigan Courts have taken significant steps to ensure the protection of sensitive personal information in probate matters. This initiative is aimed at enhancing privacy, reducing the risk of identity theft, and complying with evolving data security regulations.

According to MCR 8.119(H), the filing clerk must redact the protected PII from a document prepared or issued by the court before the document is made available to the public. This update requires clerks to reject filings of older forms or those which contain PII and require filers use new PII forms like MC97 and MC97a to protect privacy. 

New Required Probate Forms:

As part of these enhancements, Michigan Courts have introduced two newly required probate forms, MC97 and MC97a. These forms play a crucial role in ensuring that personal information is handled securely and confidentially within the probate system. Let's briefly explore the purpose of each form:

MC97 - Protected Personal Information

This form is used to compile certain personal information, such as birthdays, social security numbers, and license or passport information. This form should be used with forms like the Application/Petition for Appointment to keep PII out of the public record. 

MC97a - Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information

MC97a is an addendum to its predecessor, MC97, to keep the private information of parties out of the probate record. This form should be used in conjunction with forms like the Acceptance of Appointment to keep your birthdate and phone number out of public filings. 

These new forms are essential for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information within the probate system and are in line with Michigan Courts' commitment to complying with data security regulations.

Conclusion

The recent updates in Michigan court rule emphasize the importance of protecting personal information. By introducing new forms, Michigan Courts are taking proactive measures to enhance privacy and security. If you are involved in a Michigan probate estate and have questions about filing requirements, contact Thompson Legal to schedule a discovery call with an experienced Michigan probate lawyer. 

This blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice. In the event you would like to speak with a probate attorney about your case Contact Us at (734) 743-1646 to schedule a consultation.