Lenawee County Probate Court approves multiple accountings, admits wills and appoints personal representatives

The presiding judge of the Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court on Tuesday signed orders approving final and annual accountings in multiple conservatorship and estate files, admitted at least one will to probate and appointed named personal representatives, often without requiring bond.

The court approved the final accounting in the matter of Clint Coleman (file 41856) and ordered the clerk's office to confirm transfer of the conservatee's assets into a special-needs trust at County National Bank by May 23, 2025. Miss Ford, who presented the accounting, told the court that "Clint's funds have all been entered into a special needs trust through County National Bank, and they will be handling all of his finances from here on." The judge directed the clerk to seek proof of that transfer and advised Miss Ford to contact the clerk if additional documentation is needed.

The court also approved the fifth annual accounting in the Rodlin matter (file 44157) after Ariel Berger said she had reviewed the file while covering for attorney Isaac Snead and that no objections had been filed. The judge noted that guardian ad litem Michael McFarland had reviewed the file and would provide written verification.

In other matters the court granted a petition approving the second and final accounting and discharging fiduciary duties for Arlene Carr (file 51666), following confirmation that assets had already been transferred. Steven C. Carr confirmed the accounting was truthful and that the accounting followed the decedent's passing.

The court granted the petition to appoint Thomas Bovean as personal representative for the estate of Barbara Stewart (file 5053553) without bond, finding venue proper after determining Stewart died Jan. 22, 2025 and that heirs had been properly served. Ariel Berger appeared on behalf of the petitioner and said she had not reviewed the file details that morning.

A similar order was entered for the estate of Charles Boyce Jr. (file 5053607): the judge found the file supported formal administration, appointed the nominated personal representative and signed letters of authority after finding the decedent died Feb. 18, 2025 and that heirs had been determined.

In the estate of Richard Dreyfack (file 53584) the court admitted a conformed copy of a will and appointed Richard Dreyfack (named in court) as personal representative, permitting distribution under the will and signing letters of authority. Attorney Doug Hartung explained that the estate included a residence and other bank assets, with the house valued in the vicinity of $250,000; the judge noted a guardianship/conservatorship inquiry remained outstanding for a related matter and that guardian ad litem McFarland intended to follow up.

The court granted the petition appointing Miss Gonzales as personal representative in the estate of Emancio Ramirez Jr. (file 53564), finding the estate valued at about $100,000 and that renunciations by other interested parties supported the appointment. The court also approved multiple annual accountings in the matter of Jeffrey Agosta II (file 45534); co-conservators Michael McFarland and Amelia Agosta confirmed accountings were accurate and described efforts to transfer or certify letters for use outside the state.

Across the matters the judge repeatedly noted that no objections had been filed where stated, accepted waivers filed by guardian ad litem McFarland where present, and signed orders reflecting approvals, appointments, discharges of fiduciaries and issuance of letters of authority. Several petitioners and conservators were instructed to provide inventories or certified documents to the clerk's office for filing.

Clerk follow-up and documentation requirements are the primary outstanding items: the clerk's office asked for proof of transfer of Coleman’s assets into the special-needs trust by 05/23/2025, and petitioners in appointed estates were reminded to file inventories or other supporting asset information where not present in the court file.