Judge appoints lone heir as personal representative in Robert James Moore estate; trust procedures noted

The Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court allowed the petition to open the estate of Robert James Moore, admitted the will to govern administration and appointed James Jones Moore as personal representative without bond.

James Jones Moore appeared and testified that he is the decedent’s only child. The presiding judge reviewed the will’s provisions and raised questions about Article 6, which in court was explained to require the heir to follow procedures to place property into a trust until a 10‑year period has elapsed since incarceration. The judge told Moore that, because the other individuals nominated as personal representative were deceased, Moore would be allowed to serve but would need to set up the trust mechanism the will requires.

Moore described practical obstacles to immediate property access: he said the decedent’s house had been boarded up because he could not obtain an electrical inspection and meter placement, and that back taxes and needed repairs (including plumbing) had complicated efforts to market or fix the property. The judge noted that as personal representative Moore would have authority to maintain, repair, or sell the property, but that, consistent with the will, three‑quarters of the proceeds may need to be held in trust until the trust condition is satisfied.

The court signed the order appointing Moore as personal representative without bond and identified him as the only heir at this time. The judge instructed counsel that copies of the letters of authority would be available from the clerk’s office.