Michigan Probate Costs

It is not legal advice. Verify current requirements with the county probate court, relevant agency, or qualified Michigan counsel before acting.

Michigan probate costs depend on the court filing path, the inventory value, copy needs, publication, title work, and whether the estate needs legal or tax help. The county probate court can confirm local payment methods and copy charges.

This guide focuses on court and records costs. Attorney fees, tax work, real estate work, and disputes can change the total.

Court Filing Fees

Michigan Courts publishes probate court fee tables. The February 2025 table lists these statewide probate court fees for decedent estate cases:

Filing	Listed fee
Petition or application for probate and/or appointment of personal representative to start an estate	$150
Petition or application filed after an estate is open	$20
Motion, objection, or claim after a case is open	$20

The table also notes that a petition filing fee does not include the inventory fee for the estate.

Inventory Fee

Michigan decedent estates can have an inventory fee based on estate value. Michigan Courts identifies the inventory fee as tied to MCL 600.871 and the value of estate assets.

This means the cheapest filing path on paper may not represent the full court cost. Check whether the estate must file an inventory and whether the inventory fee applies.

Small-Estate Costs

A small-estate assignment under MCL 700.3982 still uses a court filing. The petition and order for assignment path can save time when it fits, but it is not free.

The successor affidavit under MCL 700.3983 often avoids opening a full estate, but a bank, transfer agent, or title issue may still create copy, notary, certified death certificate, or court-order costs.

Death Certificate Costs

Michigan MDHHS lists a $34 basic search fee for a certified copy of a Michigan vital record. Many families order several copies because banks, title companies, vehicle title transfers, insurance companies, and court filings may ask for one.

Online orders through the authorized vendor can add rush or processing fees.

Vehicle and Real Estate Costs

Vehicle title transfers use Michigan Secretary of State title rules. Fees can vary by transaction, registration choice, lien status, and whether the vehicle needs a duplicate title.

Real estate may require county recording fees, certified death records, transfer tax review, and title work. MCL 207.526 lists state real estate transfer tax exemptions, but a county register of deeds may still require review before recording.

Attorney and Professional Fees

Michigan probate can involve attorney fees, tax preparation, appraisal, real estate, and accounting work. Ask for a written fee agreement and separate court fees, professional fees, publication costs, title costs, and copy costs.

Professional help can be worth it when the estate has real estate, family conflict, creditor disputes, business assets, tax issues, or unclear title.

Cost Checklist

Track these items:

Probate court filing fee
Inventory fee
Publication cost
Certified death certificates
Certified court copies
Vehicle title or duplicate title fees
Register of deeds recording costs
Appraisals or valuation work
Attorney and tax professional fees

Use the Michigan probate court forms guide to match the filing to the cost source. For record costs, see Michigan death certificate copies for probate. For tax review, see the Michigan estate tax and inheritance tax guide.

Sources:

Title: Probate Court Fee Tables. Publisher: Michigan Courts. Publication Date: February 2025. URL: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/court-administration/resources/pfee.pdf
Title: MCL 700.3982, Court order distributing small estates. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-700-3982
Title: MCL 700.3983, Collection of personal property by sworn statement. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-700-3983
Title: Fees. Publisher: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Publication Date: not listed. URL: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords/additonal-information/fees_1
Title: MCL 207.526, Written instruments and transfers of property exempt from tax. Publisher: Michigan Legislature. Publication Date: Michigan Compiled Laws current through PA 9 of 2026. URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-207-526

This guide provides general cost information. Verify current fees with the county probate court, Michigan Courts, MDHHS, Secretary of State, and county register of deeds before filing.