How Much Does Probate Cost in Michigan?
Compare filing fees, attorney costs, and timelines across the most common probate options in Michigan.
Quick Summary
Michigan probate filing fee references are statewide, but county probate courts may publish local copy, certification, hearing, payment, and MiFILE details.
Probate Cost by Procedure
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Decedent's Successor | $50,000 base amount, adjusted; no Michigan real property | $0 listed court filing fee | More than 28 days after death | No | Certain personal-property transfers when no appointment or assignment petition is pending |
| Petition and Order for Assignment | $50,000 base amount after funeral and burial expense analysis, adjusted | $25 | County court timing varies | No (often useful) | Small estates needing a probate court order |
| Informal Probate | No simple dollar cap | $150 to commence estate | County court timing varies | No (often useful) | Uncontested estates where registrar-handled probate or appointment fits |
| Formal Probate | No simple dollar cap | $150 to commence estate | County court timing varies | No (often useful) | Disputed estates, testacy questions, appointment disputes, or judge-needed issues |
Additional Costs to Expect
Inventory Fee
Michigan Courts notes that the petition filing fee does not include the estate inventory fee. The inventory fee is tied to the value reported in the estate inventory.
Certified Copies and Death Records
Death certificate, certified copy, rush, and online vendor charges can vary by ordering method and issuing office.
Publication and Notice
Creditor notice publication can add cost when a probate estate is opened and publication is used.
Recording and Title Costs
Real estate recording, transfer-tax review, vehicle title work, and certified document needs can add separate costs.
Attorney and Tax Professional Fees
Michigan does not use the California-style statutory attorney fee schedule in this rollout data. Written fee terms and tax scope should be separated from court costs.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Source Notes
- Statute / Authority
- Michigan EPIC and Michigan probate fee tables
- Fee Source
- Michigan Courts Probate Court Fee Tables, February 2025
- Last Verified
- May 2026
- Notes
- The statewide fee table lists core probate filing fees, but counties may have local payment, copy, certification, and e-filing details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic Michigan probate filing fee?
The February 2025 Michigan Courts probate fee table lists $150 for many petitions or applications to commence a decedent estate, plus separate fees for later petitions, motions, objections, or claims.
Is the Michigan successor affidavit free?
The MCL 700.3983 successor affidavit path is not an estate-opening court filing, so the staged data lists no court filing fee. Banks, transfer agents, title issues, death certificates, notary needs, or copy costs may still create expenses.
What does Petition and Order for Assignment cost in Michigan?
The staged Michigan data lists a $25 filing fee for the petition and order for assignment path. Confirm current county payment and copy details before filing.
Does the $150 filing fee include the Michigan inventory fee?
No. Michigan Courts states that the petition filing fee does not include the estate inventory fee, which is based on estate value.
Are Michigan probate costs the same in every county?
Core state fee-table references are statewide, but county courts may have local payment methods, copy and certification charges, scheduling practices, and MiFILE details.
Estimate Your Michigan Probate Path
Use the national assessment for planning, then verify current filing fees with the Michigan county office handling the estate.