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Michigan Probate Guide

County-specific probate filing-office contacts, filing fees, required forms, and step-by-step guidance for families settling an estate in Michigan.

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Do I Need Probate?Free assessment toolEstate ChecklistStep-by-step tasksFee CalculatorEstimate your costsGlossaryLegal terms explainedFirst StepsWhat to do firstEstate PlanningPlan your own will & POA

Types of Probate in Michigan

Michigan offers several probate procedures depending on estate value and circumstances. Attorney requirements vary by probate type and local practice.

See the full comparison of Michigan probate typesWhich procedures exist, who qualifies, and how the timelines compare.
Not sure which applies? Take the assessment →

Find your county

Michigan Probate Filing Offices by County

Choose your county to get its probate court contacts, filing fees, and required forms. 83 counties have detailed data.

Full data available: AlconaFull data available: AlgerFull data available: AlleganFull data available: AlpenaFull data available: AntrimFull data available: ArenacFull data available: BaragaFull data available: BarryFull data available: BayFull data available: BenzieFull data available: BerrienFull data available: Branch
Show all 83 counties
Full data available: CalhounFull data available: CassFull data available: CharlevoixFull data available: CheboyganFull data available: ChippewaFull data available: ClareFull data available: ClintonFull data available: CrawfordFull data available: DeltaFull data available: DickinsonFull data available: EatonFull data available: EmmetFull data available: GeneseeFull data available: GladwinFull data available: GogebicFull data available: Grand TraverseFull data available: GratiotFull data available: HillsdaleFull data available: HoughtonFull data available: HuronFull data available: InghamFull data available: IoniaFull data available: IoscoFull data available: IronFull data available: IsabellaFull data available: JacksonFull data available: KalamazooFull data available: KalkaskaFull data available: KentFull data available: KeweenawFull data available: LakeFull data available: LapeerFull data available: LeelanauFull data available: LenaweeFull data available: LivingstonFull data available: LuceFull data available: MackinacFull data available: MacombFull data available: ManisteeFull data available: MarquetteFull data available: MasonFull data available: MecostaFull data available: MenomineeFull data available: MidlandFull data available: MissaukeeFull data available: MonroeFull data available: MontcalmFull data available: MontmorencyFull data available: MuskegonFull data available: NewaygoFull data available: OaklandFull data available: OceanaFull data available: OgemawFull data available: OntonagonFull data available: OsceolaFull data available: OscodaFull data available: OtsegoFull data available: OttawaFull data available: Presque IsleFull data available: RoscommonFull data available: SaginawFull data available: SanilacFull data available: SchoolcraftFull data available: ShiawasseeFull data available: St. ClairFull data available: St. JosephFull data available: TuscolaFull data available: Van BurenFull data available: WashtenawFull data available: WayneFull data available: Wexford

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Michigan Probate Guides

View all guides
The Michigan Probate Guide
MIMay 16, 2026

The Michigan Probate Guide

How to Avoid Probate in Michigan
MIJun 3, 2026

How to Avoid Probate in Michigan

Michigan Probate Timeline and Deadline Guide
MIJun 3, 2026

Michigan Probate Timeline and Deadline Guide

Michigan Executor Duties and Personal Representative Steps
MIJun 3, 2026

Michigan Executor Duties and Personal Representative Steps

Michigan Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Estates
MIJun 3, 2026

Michigan Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Estates

Michigan and the Federal Estate Tax
MIJul 1, 2026

Michigan and the Federal Estate Tax

Browse Michigan guide topics

Jump to court, executor, tax, planning, property, and probate-avoidance guides that match your next task.

Probate Basics

2

Forms & Court

5

Executor Duties

7

Taxes & Deadlines

11

Planning Documents

8

Property Transfer

5

Avoiding Probate

3
Full guide library

Michigan Probate Self-Help and Online Resources

Michigan Estate Law Overview

Michigan Estate Tax Info

Michigan tax information for estates

No
State Estate Tax
No
Inheritance Tax
Yes
State Income Tax
Federal estate tax info

Federal estate tax only applies to estates exceeding $15,000,000 (2026).

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Michigan intestate succession determines who receives probate property when a person dies without a valid will.

View spouse inheritance rules
No surviving descendant or parentAll probate estate

The surviving spouse receives the entire intestate estate when no descendant or parent of the decedent survives.

All descendants are also descendants of the surviving spouse, and the spouse has no other surviving descendants$150,000 base amount plus 1/2 of the balance

The statutory dollar amount is adjusted under MCL 700.1210, so confirm the current adjusted amount for the date of death.

No surviving descendant, but a parent survives$150,000 base amount plus 3/4 of the balance

The statutory dollar amount is adjusted under MCL 700.1210, so confirm the current adjusted amount for the date of death.

All decedent descendants are also descendants of the surviving spouse, and the spouse has other surviving descendants$150,000 base amount plus 1/2 of the balance

The balance after the spouse share passes under the remaining intestacy rules. Confirm the adjusted dollar amount under MCL 700.1210.

Some, but not all, decedent descendants are not descendants of the surviving spouse$150,000 base amount plus 1/2 of the balance

This mixed-family rule applies when at least one decedent descendant is not also a descendant of the surviving spouse. Confirm the adjusted dollar amount under MCL 700.1210.

No decedent descendants are descendants of the surviving spouse$100,000 base amount plus 1/2 of the balance

This rule applies when the decedent's surviving descendants are from outside the marriage to the surviving spouse. Confirm the adjusted dollar amount under MCL 700.1210.

View order of inheritance (no spouse)
  1. 1DescendantsBy representation
  2. 2ParentsEqually if both survive, or all to the surviving parent
  3. 3Descendants of parentsBy representation
  4. 4Grandparents and descendants of grandparentsGenerally one half to the paternal side and one half to the maternal side, with statutory fallback if one side has no surviving relatives

Michigan Homestead Protection

Michigan does not have a Florida-style constitutional homestead system for probate routing. Michigan has a probate homestead allowance, a Principal Residence Exemption for property tax, and limited statutory creditor exemptions that must be analyzed separately.

0
Creditor protection: read the statute text

Limited statutory exemptions only; verify current adjusted amount and applicability

Statute: MCL 600.5451 and MCL 700.2402

Size limits & qualifications

Inside city limits: No Florida-style municipal acreage limit promoted

Outside city limits: No Florida-style rural acreage limit promoted

Property types: Principal residence for property tax PRE, Estate residence or real property subject to ordinary title and probate analysis, Property potentially subject to secured liens, taxes, and claims

Restrictions on leaving homestead in will

With spouse, no minor children:

No Florida-style restricted devise rule promoted. Review the will, deed, trust, survivorship language, spouse rights, claims, and the homestead allowance.

With minor children:

No Florida-style minor-child homestead devise restriction is promoted. If no surviving spouse exists, minor and dependent children may share the homestead allowance under MCL 700.2402.

Exempt Property

Michigan gives a surviving spouse and certain children priority family protections through the homestead allowance, family allowance, and exempt property selection rules.

View exempt items
Household furniture, furnishings, appliances, and personal effects
The surviving spouse may select qualifying household and personal items from the estate up to the statutory amount, net of security interests.
$10,000 base amount, adjusted under MCL 700.1210
Automobiles
Automobiles are included among property a surviving spouse may select as exempt property, subject to value and security-interest limits.
Included within the $10,000 base exempt property amount, adjusted under MCL 700.1210
Other estate assets if exempt property is insufficient
If the estate does not contain enough qualifying exempt property, the spouse or children may be entitled to other estate assets to make up the statutory amount.
Amount needed to make up the statutory exempt property value

Family Allowance

Reasonable amount for maintenance during administration - Michigan provides a reasonable family allowance for the surviving spouse and qualifying minor or dependent children during estate administration.

Michigan Probate Questions

How much does probate cost in Michigan?
Michigan probate filing fees vary by county and type of administration. According to Michigan court fee schedules, filing fees typically range from $200-$500 depending on the procedure. Additional costs include certified copy fees, publication notice fees ($50-$200), and potential bond premiums. Attorney fees may be statutory or hourly depending on state law. Use our free Michigan fee calculator for county-specific estimates.
How long does probate take in Michigan?
The timeline varies by type: Formal Probate typically takes 6-12+ months, Simplified Probate takes Varies, and Small Estate Procedure can often be completed in Varies.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Michigan?
Attorney requirements vary by probate type and local practice. Attorney review is recommended for formal administration and whenever you are unsure which procedure applies.
Are these Michigan probate resources county-specific?
No. This map shows state-level source links from Settled data. Use it with the Michigan county page and the county office handling the estate before filing.
Which Michigan source should I use first?
Start with the official court, form, or agency source for the task, then confirm local requirements with the county filing office, clerk, register, or office that accepts the filing.
Does the Michigan Probate Resource Map replace attorney review?
No. The map is source navigation. It helps families find current public sources, but it does not decide eligibility, prepare filings, or replace advice from counsel.

Latest Michigan Articles

Recent Michigan probate and estate updates from the blog
Common Michigan Probate Mistakes to Avoid
MIJun 3, 2026-8 min read

Common Michigan Probate Mistakes to Avoid

Common Michigan probate mistakes can delay filings, create title problems, and raise personal-representative risk. Learn safer checks before transfers.

Michigan Financial POA After July 2024: Signing and Durability Rules
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Michigan Financial POA After July 2024: Signing and Durability Rules

How Michigan financial POA signing, witnessing, notarization, and durability-by-default rules changed under Chapter 556 on July 1, 2024.

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Michigan Patient Advocate Designation: Naming a Healthcare Agent

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Does Michigan Have an Estate or Inheritance Tax?
MIMay 16, 2026-4 min read

Does Michigan Have an Estate or Inheritance Tax?

No, Michigan has no state estate or inheritance tax. Here is the direct answer, plus the federal estate tax threshold and what families should still check.

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