5-14-2002
You really should talk to a local probate attorney to find out if he thinks that this money would have to be reported to the court during the probate process. Did your mother have a will? Who is going to be executor of her estate? Whoever gets to be executor will receive letters testamentary with the authority to claim all of her assets (including this money).
There is another way you can get it, if you are willing to wait. The bank will be required, after 5 years to turn this money over to the Michigan Dept. of Unclaimed Property and they will place an ad in the newspaper to search for claimants. At that time, the executor or surviving family members could then submit a claim for that money, which would either be distributed according to the instructions of the will, that the executor would carry out, or split amongst the living heirs (along with your brothers and sisters, if you have any). Probate would not be involved at that late date.
Make sure that you leave a document along with your last will and testament so that someone else in the family will know about this money in case you should die before the 5 years is up.
DANDY DON