Pandora's Box

A couple of years ago over the holidays, I was gifted one of those popular consumer DNA kits, a small box promising to unlock the secrets of my ancestry. I’d always been curious about where my roots might trace back to, imagining stories of distant relatives in old-world towns and unexpected cultural surprises. It seemed like harmless fun, a modern twist on the family tree.

As I began reading more about it, I stumbled upon a growing concern: people using these consumer DNA results to assert familial ties for the purpose of inheritance claims. Some late-night advertisements even warned about “long lost relatives” who might suddenly emerge with a DNA test in hand, claiming a share of an estate. What started as a lighthearted curiosity began to feel like a cautionary tale.

In Michigan, however, courts generally give little or no weight to such consumer DNA kits when it comes to inheritance disputes. These mail-in tests raise serious questions about the chain of custody as there’s no way to verify who actually provided the sample or whether it was properly handled. Additionally, many of these testing services aren’t accredited by recognized forensic or medical authorities. For that reason, even if a DNA report from a consumer company might spark suspicion or curiosity, it’s unlikely to hold up as evidence without further court-approved testing through accredited laboratories.

That said, the mere possibility of such disputes can create unnecessary conflict during what is already a sensitive time for families. The best safeguard is to plan ahead, clearly and legally. Creating a will and a trust provides certainty about how your assets will be distributed and leaves little room for opportunistic claims. In the end, while discovering your genetic heritage might be a fun journey of personal identity, protecting your family’s legacy is a matter best settled not by a test tube, but by thoughtful estate planning.