Michigan Forms

Berrien County Personal Representative Deed Form

Berrien County Personal Representative Deed Form

Berrien County Personal Representative Deed Form

Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 2/14/2025
Berrien County Personal Representative Deed Guide

Berrien County Personal Representative Deed Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 4/16/2025
Berrien County Completed Example of the Personal Representative Deed Document

Berrien County Completed Example of the Personal Representative Deed Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 8/6/2025

All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

Important: Your property must be located in Berrien County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

Berrien County Register of Deeds
Address:
701 Main St
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085

Hours: 8:30 to 5:00 M-F

Phone: (269) 983-7111 Ext. 8562

Recording Tips for Berrien County:
  • Documents must be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper
  • Check that your notary's commission hasn't expired
  • Recorded documents become public record - avoid including SSNs
  • Leave recording info boxes blank - the office fills these

Cities and Jurisdictions in Berrien County

Properties in any of these areas use Berrien County forms:

  • Baroda
  • Benton Harbor
  • Berrien Center
  • Berrien Springs
  • Bridgman
  • Buchanan
  • Coloma
  • Eau Claire
  • Galien
  • Hagar Shores
  • Harbert
  • Lakeside
  • New Buffalo
  • New Troy
  • Niles
  • Riverside
  • Saint Joseph
  • Sawyer
  • Sodus
  • Stevensville
  • Three Oaks
  • Union Pier
  • Watervliet

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Berrien County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Berrien County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Berrien County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Berrien County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Berrien County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Berrien County?

Recording fees in Berrien County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (269) 983-7111 Ext. 8562 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

In the State of Michigan, the administration and distribution of estates is governed by MCL Chapter 700, known as the estates and protected individuals code.

When a Michigander dies, probate -- the process of settling a decedent's estate, including gathering the decedent's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what is left of the estate to those entitled to receive it -- takes place in the county in which the decedent was domiciled at the time of death. Michigan Probate Courts oversee probate proceedings. The extent to which the court supervises administration is dependent upon the type of probate opened. Administration of the estate is generally unsupervised, unless the specific situation necessitates otherwise.

All property owned by the decedent individually is subject to probate. Property held with a survivorship interest, beneficiary designation, or in a trust skips probate.

Administration officially begins when the court appoints a personal representative (PR) who will personally settle the decedent's estate. Michigan uses the general term personal representative, though he or she may be either the executor of the decedent's will, or an administrator of an intestate estate. An estate is said to be intestate when the decedent dies without a will.

The court issues letters of authority to the PR, which confirm the personal representative's powers. In Michigan, the PR's powers are quite broad, unless otherwise limited by a decedent's will. Any restrictions on the PR's powers are noted in the letters of authority.

By process of Michigan law, title to a decedent's real property generally passes at the
time of his or her death to any devisees or heirs at law. Pursuant to MCL 700.3910, an instrument or deed of distribution is proof that the distributee has succeeded to the decedent's interest of the estate in the distributed property. See special provisions relating to distribution under the estates and protected individuals code, and contact a lawyer with questions.

In some cases, the PR may be required to sell real property on behalf of the estate (to pay the decedent's debts, for example). A PR does not, in general, need to seek court approval before selling real property, barring restrictions stated on the letters of administration. However, if complications arise, the PR or an interested person (person having a property right in or claim against the estate) may file a petition and an order may be entered by the Probate Court.

To accomplish a sale of the decedent's property, the PR executes a type of fiduciary deed called a personal representative's deed, which transfers title to the grantee. In Michigan, the PR deed typically carries a limited warranty, covenanting that the grantor warrants and defends the title against lawful claims arising from persons claiming by, through, or under the grantor (but none other).

A PR deed includes information about the probated estate, including the decedent's name, county in which probate is open, probate file number, and source of authorization for the conveyance. All requirements of form and content for instruments pertaining to real property must be met. Each PR must sign the deed for a valid transfer.

Consult a lawyer with questions regarding estate administration and personal representative's deeds in Michigan, as each case is unique.

(Michigan PRD Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

Important: Your property must be located in Berrien County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

This Personal Representative Deed meets all recording requirements specific to Berrien County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Berrien County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.

Save Time and Money

Get your Berrien County Personal Representative Deed form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.

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June 10th, 2021

Thanks to Deeds.com, our law office was able to get the deed of trust filed without having to run around town wasting gas and they were very efficient and quick with getting it done in a timely manner.

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July 2nd, 2020

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October 14th, 2020

Thank you! I received my forms promptly and they are easy to follow along for filling out. The examples gave me confidence that they were done correctly.

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December 1st, 2021

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September 2nd, 2020

Super impressed!! For me to get back my recorded document in one day was awesome. I needed it for a foreclosure and knew if I mailed it in to the Clerk's office I more than likely would not get it back in time. Also the fact that you had no problem with me having a one-time document to record is a plus. I will be using you in the future for my recording needs. Thank you.

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April 24th, 2020

This is a great tool to use. It makes recording documents so easy and convenient. The website is very user-friendly. The only suggestion I would have is if the website could email me directly when I have a message so I don't have to keep checking back to see if my document is ready.

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George D.

August 23rd, 2020

The TODD form has been notarized and registered with my county Register of Deeds office, so it works just fine. My only quibble is that when I printed it out, it missed part of the last line of the notary's info and the fine print in the bottom corners. When I printed it at 90% scale, it included those things.

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March 2nd, 2023

OK service

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May 13th, 2021

Easier than I had expected. Was looking for the 'I have to get information that I don't understand' part which never appeared. Thank you

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August 30th, 2022

I am working with the document to complete it. It's taking me some time but I'll get it.

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December 22nd, 2021

Would be great if you would just put all of these documents into ONE .pdf.

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October 7th, 2020

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December 19th, 2020

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September 30th, 2022

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