How Much Does Probate Cost in Michigan?

Compare filing fees, attorney costs, and timelines across the most common probate options in Michigan.

Quick Summary

Successor Affidavit: $0No estate-opening filing
Assignment Petition: $25Small-estate court order path
Commence Estate: $150Informal or formal probate

Michigan probate filing fee references are statewide, but county probate courts may publish local copy, certification, hearing, payment, and MiFILE details.

Typical Total Cost Ranges

Estimate your county’s exact fees

Successor affidavit path

$0 - $300+

Petition and order for assignment

$25 - $750+

Informal probate

$150 + inventory/copy/publication/professional costs

Formal probate

$150 + inventory/copy/publication/professional costs

Probate Cost by Procedure

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Procedure	Estate Size	Court Fee	Timeline	Attorney?	Best For
Affidavit of Decedent's Successor	$53,000 for 2026 deaths (base $50,000, adjusted annually); 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	$53,000 for 2026 deaths (base $50,000, adjusted annually) after funeral and burial expense analysis	$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. Michigan Courts identifies the inventory fee as tied to MCL 600.871 and the value of estate assets.

Sliding statutory fee based on estate inventory value

Post-Opening Filing Fees

The February 2025 Michigan Courts fee table lists $20 for a petition or application filed after an estate is open and $20 for a motion, objection, or claim after a case is open.

$20 per filing

Certified Copies and Death Records

Death certificate, certified copy, rush, and online vendor charges can vary by ordering method and issuing office.

$34 MDHHS basic search fee plus possible county or vendor costs

Publication and Notice

Creditor notice publication can add cost when a probate estate is opened and publication is used.

Varies by newspaper and county

Recording and Title Costs

Real estate recording, transfer-tax review, vehicle title work, and certified document needs can add separate costs. MCL 207.526 lists state real estate transfer tax exemptions, but a county register of deeds may still require review before recording.

Varies by county and transaction

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.

Varies by engagement

One more cost source to check: if the person who died received Medicaid long-term care benefits, the state may file a recovery claim against the estate. The Michigan Medicaid estate recovery guide explains when that applies.

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. A small-estate assignment under MCL 700.3982 still uses a court filing, so it can save time when it fits, but it is not free. 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.