Court approves copy of 2004 will, names son personal representative for James Lincoln estate

At a hearing in Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court, the court approved a petition to probate a copy of the May 13, 2004, will of James Shaney Lincoln and named his son, Jason Lincoln, as personal representative of the estate.

The court found that notice had been given or waived by interested parties and that a copy of the decedent’s will “is an accurate representation” of his wishes, Charles Gross, attorney for the petitioner, told the court. The judge said the court had not found an original will but would accept the copy for administration.

The nut of the petition is narrow: the estate appears to contain one parcel of property in Tecumseh, which the attorney estimated is worth about $100,000. Given the size of the assets, the court indicated a bond was not necessary and signed the order allowing the will to direct administration and granting letters of authority to Jason Lincoln.

The court instructed the personal representative to pick up copies of the order and letters of authority from the clerk’s office after the hearing. No further court dates were set on the record.

“This petition ought to be approved,” Charles Gross said during the hearing. The judge confirmed the findings, signed the orders and told the personal representative to obtain copies of the signed documents before leaving the courthouse.

The action resolves probate intake for the estate and starts formal administration under the 2004 will; the court record does not show any objections or additional contested matters on the record.