Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 700.3905 (2026)

Penalty clause for contest.

✓ current as of July 2026

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ESTATES AND PROTECTED INDIVIDUALS CODE

Act 386 of 1998

700.3905 Penalty clause for contest.

Sec. 3905.

In accordance with section 2518, a provision in a will purporting to penalize an interested person for contesting the will or instituting another proceeding relating to the estate shall not be given effect if probable cause exists for instituting a proceeding contesting the will or another proceeding relating to the estate.

History: 1998, Act 386, Eff. Apr. 1, 2000

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Notes of Decisions

Cited in 2 cases, 2013–2014 · leading case: In re Est. of Stan.

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In re Est. of Stan (Mich. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 6× “2518 and MCL 700.3905, 3 both of which restrict the enforceability of an in terrorem clause contained in a will when an interested person has “probable cause” to challenge the will or institute another proceeding relating to the estate.”

in Re Stan Est. (Mich. 2014). “MCL 700.3905 provides that “a provision in a will purporting to penalize an interested person for contesting the will or instituting another proceeding relating to the estate shall not be given effect if probable cause exists for instituting a proceeding contesting the will or…”

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