Under Michigan law, a wrongful death claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate, not by family members individually. That representative is typically named in a will or appointed by the probate court if there isn't one.

However, the people who can benefit financially from the claim are usually:

• The surviving spouse
• Children (including adopted children)
• Parents (in some circumstances)
• Other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased

We know this is a painful and disorienting process to navigate on top of grief. The probate and personal representative steps can feel like an extra burden at the worst possible time, and having someone walk you through it can ease that weight. This is general information only. Every family's situation is different, and we'd welcome the chance to talk with you directly about your circumstances.