Michigan probate, civil and family deadlines
28 deadlines · Last checked 24 October 2026
Each entry gives the period, what starts it, the citation and the words the rule uses. The short label cannot carry every condition, so read the quotation and the rule itself.
This is reference information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and any local rule or court order before relying on it.
Probate
Claims barred three years after death where no notice was published
36 months after the date of death
within 3 years after the decedent's death
MCL 700.3803(1)(c) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Serve notice of appointment on heirs and devisees
14 days after the date letters were issued
The personal representative must, not later than 14 days after appointment, serve notice of appointment
MCR 5.304(A); MCL 700.3705(1) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Inventory and inventory-fee information
91 days after the date letters were issued
Within 91 days after appointment or other time specified by court rule
MCL 700.3706(1), (2); MCR 5.307(A), 5.310(C)(1), (E) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Notice of continued administration
12 months and 28 days after the date letters were issued
not later than 28 days after the anniversary of the personal representative's appointment
MCL 700.3951(1); MCR 5.307(A), (B) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Annual accounting (supervised administration)
12 months and 56 days after the date letters were issued
must file accountings within 56 days after the end of the accounting period
MCR 5.310(C)(2)(a) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Creditor claims barred (4 months after publication)
4 months after the first publication of notice to creditors
(a) within 4 months after the date of the publication of notice to creditors
MCL 700.3801(1), 700.3803(1); MCR 5.208(A) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule
Civil
Summons expires
91 days after the complaint was filedThe day it lapses
(D) Expiration. A summons expires 91 days after the date the summons is issued.
MCR 2.102(D) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due (served in Michigan)
21 days after the summons and complaint were served
A defendant must serve and file an answer or take other action permitted by law or these rules within 21 days ... after being served with the summons and a copy of the complaint in Michigan
MCR 2.108(A)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due (served outside Michigan or by registered mail)
28 days after the summons and complaint were served
If service of the summons and a copy of the complaint is made outside Michigan, or if the manner of service used ... requires the summons and a copy of the complaint to be sent by registered mail addressed to the defendant, ... the defendant must serve and file an answer or take other action permitted by law or these rules ... within 28 days after service.
MCR 2.108(A)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due after pre-answer motion denied
21 days after the court decided the motion
the moving party must ... serve and file a responsive pleading within 21 days after notice of the denial.
MCR 2.108(C)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for rehearing or reconsideration of a motion decision due
21 days after the court decided the motion
a motion for rehearing or reconsideration of the decision on a motion ... must be served and filed not later than 21 days after entry of an order deciding the motion.
MCR 2.119(F)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to amended or supplemental pleading due
21 days after the amended pleading was served
must be served and filed within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 21 days after service of the supplemental or amended pleading, whichever period is longer.
MCR 2.108(C)(3) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answers and objections to interrogatories due
28 days after the discovery requests were served
within 28 days after the interrogatories are served, except that a defendant may serve answers within 42 days
MCR 2.309(B)(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Written response to request for production due
28 days after the discovery requests were served
The party on whom the request is served must serve a written response within 28 days after service of the request,
MCR 2.310(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer or objection to requests for admission due (else deemed admitted)
28 days after the discovery requests were served
Each matter as to which a request is made is deemed admitted unless, ... within 28 days after service of the request,
MCR 2.312(B)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Serve motion and notice of hearing (if served by first-class mail)
9 days before the hearing
(a) at least 9 days before the time set for the hearing, if served by first-class mail, or
MCR 2.119(C)(1)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Serve response to motion (if served by first-class mail)
5 days before the hearing
(a) at least 5 days before the hearing, if served by first-class mail, or
MCR 2.119(C)(2)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Summary disposition motion filed and served
21 days before the hearing
and served at least 21 days before the time set for the hearing, and
MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(i) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to summary disposition motion filed and served
7 days before the hearing
(ii) any response to the motion (including brief and any affidavits) must be filed and served ... at least 7 days before the hearing.
MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(ii) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Reply brief on summary disposition filed and served (optional, 5 pages)
4 days before the hearing
The reply brief must be filed and served at least 4 days before the hearing.
MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a)(iii) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for new trial or to alter or amend judgment due
21 days after judgment was entered
must be filed and served within 21 days after entry of the judgment.
MCR 2.611(B) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict due
21 days after judgment was entered
Within 21 days after entry of judgment, a party may move to have the verdict and judgment set aside,
MCR 2.610(A)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Bill of costs to clerk due (else costs waived)
28 days after judgment was entered
When costs are to be taxed by the clerk, the party entitled to costs must present to the clerk within 28 days after the judgment is signed,
MCR 2.625(F)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Outer limit for relief from judgment (mistake, new evidence, fraud)
12 months after judgment was entered
within one year after the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
MCR 2.612(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Claim of appeal to Court of Appeals due
21 days after judgment was entered
(1) Except where another time is provided by law or court rule, an appeal of right in any civil case ... must be taken within 21 days. The period runs from the entry of:
MCR 7.204(A)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Outer limit for delayed application for leave to appeal
6 months after judgment was entered
by that subrule, a delayed application for leave to appeal may be filed within 6 months of the entry
MCR 7.205(A)(4)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Civil notes
No day is worked out for these. Read the rule.
Motion responses are counted back from the hearing, not from service
any response to a motion (including a brief or affidavits) required or permitted by these rules must be served as follows:
MCR 2.119(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Initial disclosures run from the answer, not from service
initial disclosures within the later of 14 days after the opposing party’s disclosures are due or ... 28 days after the party files its answer.
MCR 2.302(A)(5)(b); (A)(4)(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Pretrial deadlines are set by the scheduling order
No later than the time directed by the court under subrule (B)(2)(a), the parties shall file and serve witness lists.
MCR 2.401(B)(2)(a), (I)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Alternate service or publication: the court sets the answer date
may not prescribe a time less than 28 days after publication or posting is completed.
MCR 2.108(A)(3) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Family
Summons expires
91 days after the petition was filedThe day it lapses
(D) Expiration. A summons expires 91 days after the date the summons is issued.
MCR 2.102(D) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Earliest proofs or judgment in a divorce without minor children (60 days)
60 days after the petition was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period
the expiration of 60 days from the time of filing the bill of complaint.
MCL 552.9f; MCR 3.210(A) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Earliest proofs/judgment in divorce with minor children (6 months)
6 months after the petition was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period
until the expiration of 6 months from the day the bill of complaint is filed.
MCL 552.9f; MCR 3.210(A)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due (served in Michigan)
21 days after the petition was served
A defendant must serve and file an answer or take other action permitted by law or these rules within 21 days ... after being served with the summons and a copy of the complaint in Michigan
MCR 2.108(A)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due (served outside Michigan or by registered mail)
28 days after the petition was served
If service of the summons and a copy of the complaint is made outside Michigan, or if the manner of service used ... requires the summons and a copy of the complaint to be sent by registered mail addressed to the defendant, ... the defendant must serve and file an answer or take other action permitted by law or these rules ... within 28 days after service.
MCR 2.108(A)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer due after pre-answer motion denied
21 days after the court decided the motion
the moving party must ... serve and file a responsive pleading within 21 days after notice of the denial.
MCR 2.108(C)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for rehearing or reconsideration of a motion decision due
21 days after the court decided the motion
a motion for rehearing or reconsideration of the decision on a motion ... must be served and filed not later than 21 days after entry of an order deciding the motion.
MCR 2.119(F)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Response to amended or supplemental pleading due
21 days after the amended pleading was served
must be served and filed within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 21 days after service of the supplemental or amended pleading, whichever period is longer.
MCR 2.108(C)(3) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answers and objections to interrogatories due
28 days after the discovery requests were served
within 28 days after the interrogatories are served, except that a defendant may serve answers within 42 days
MCR 2.309(B)(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Written response to request for production due
28 days after the discovery requests were served
The party on whom the request is served must serve a written response within 28 days after service of the request,
MCR 2.310(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer or objection to requests for admission due (else deemed admitted)
28 days after the discovery requests were served
Each matter as to which a request is made is deemed admitted unless, ... within 28 days after service of the request,
MCR 2.312(B)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Serve motion and notice of hearing (if served by first-class mail)
9 days before the hearing
(a) at least 9 days before the time set for the hearing, if served by first-class mail, or
MCR 2.119(C)(1)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Serve response to motion (if served by first-class mail)
5 days before the hearing
(a) at least 5 days before the hearing, if served by first-class mail, or
MCR 2.119(C)(2)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Motion for new trial or to alter or amend judgment due
21 days after the judgment was entered
must be filed and served within 21 days after entry of the judgment.
MCR 2.611(B) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Bill of costs to clerk due (else costs waived)
28 days after the judgment was entered
When costs are to be taxed by the clerk, the party entitled to costs must present to the clerk within 28 days after the judgment is signed,
MCR 2.625(F)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Outer limit for relief from judgment (mistake, new evidence, fraud)
12 months after the judgment was entered
within one year after the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
MCR 2.612(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Claim of appeal to Court of Appeals due
21 days after the judgment was entered
(1) Except where another time is provided by law or court rule, an appeal of right in any civil case ... must be taken within 21 days. The period runs from the entry of:
MCR 7.204(A)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Outer limit for delayed application for leave to appeal
6 months after the judgment was entered
by that subrule, a delayed application for leave to appeal may be filed within 6 months of the entry
MCR 7.205(A)(4)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Family notes
No day is worked out for these. Read the rule.
Motion responses are counted back from the hearing, not from service
any response to a motion (including a brief or affidavits) required or permitted by these rules must be served as follows:
MCR 2.119(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Verified Financial Information Form: 28 days after service of the answer
Financial Information Form (as provided by SCAO) within 28 days following the date of service of
MCR 3.206(C)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Verified statement to friend of the court (no day count)
In an action involving a minor, or if child support or spousal support is requested, the party seeking relief
MCR 3.206(C)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Answer to divorce complaint: general civil rule applies
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, practice and procedure in domestic relations actions
MCR 3.201(C); MCR 2.108(A) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Family judgments: general civil post-judgment and appeal rules apply
(iii) in a domestic relations action, a postjudgment order that, as to a minor, grants or denies a motion
MCR 7.204(A)(1); MCR 7.202(6)(a)(iii); MCR 3.201(C) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Default judgment in domestic relations: 14 days' notice of hearing
serve the motion, notice of hearing, and a copy of the proposed judgment upon the defaulted party at least 14 days before the hearing
MCR 3.210(B)(4)(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Alternate service or publication: the court sets the answer date
may not prescribe a time less than 28 days after publication or posting is completed.
MCR 2.108(A)(3) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Counting days under the court rules
The last day of the period is included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which ... the court is closed pursuant to court order;
MCR 1.108(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule
Counting one of these from a real date? Try the date calculator, or look around a sample workspace.
This is reference information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and any local rule or court order before relying on it.