Why do I have to publish a notice to unknown creditors in the newspaper?

In Michigan, a personal representative is required to publish a notice to unknown creditors in the newspaper in which legal notices are usually posted in the county in which the estate is probated. In Wayne County, the publication is published in the Detroit Legal News. In Washtenaw County, it is the Washtenaw County Legal News. The publication starts a four-month clock for creditors to file claims against the estate. If a creditor fails to file a claim against the estate within this time frame, the creditor is barred from later bringing the claim. This time limitation protects the estate from being subjected to creditor claims months or years after the estate has been probated.