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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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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.

Showing 36 of 83 counties. Search by county name or show the full list.

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 – BranchFull 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 – Iron

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Michigan Probate Guides

View all guides
The Michigan Probate Guide
MIMay 16, 2026-7 min read

The Michigan Probate Guide

Michigan probate guide. Learn when probate is needed, which small-estate paths may apply, and what deadlines control estate administration.

How to Avoid Probate in Michigan
MIJun 3, 2026-4 min read

How to Avoid Probate in Michigan

How to avoid probate in Michigan guide. Compare trusts, beneficiary forms, survivorship title, and small estates.

Michigan Small-Estate Affidavit and Assignment
MIMay 16, 2026-5 min read

Michigan Small-Estate Affidavit and Assignment

Michigan small-estate guide. Learn when the successor affidavit or petition and order for assignment may transfer estate property.

Michigan Probate Timeline and Deadline Guide
MIJun 3, 2026-6 min read

Michigan Probate Timeline and Deadline Guide

Michigan probate timeline guide. Track will delivery, the 28-day small-estate wait, and creditor claims.

Michigan Executor Duties and Personal Representative Steps
MIJun 3, 2026-6 min read

Michigan Executor Duties and Personal Representative Steps

Michigan executor duties guide. Learn when court appointment matters, what a personal representative handles, and which probate deadlines shape the job.

Michigan Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Estates
MIJun 3, 2026-4 min read

Michigan Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Estates

Michigan ancillary probate guide for families handling Michigan property when the decedent lived in another state.

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

6

Executor Duties

7

Taxes & Deadlines

12

Planning Documents

8

Property Transfer

5

Avoiding Probate

3
Full guide library

Michigan Probate Self-Help and Online Resources

Michigan probate source navigation starts with state court, form, agency, legal-help, or referral links that are already tracked in Settled state data. These links are state-level starting points, not county-specific filing instructions.

Which Michigan probate source should you use?

  • Start with the state court, form, or self-help source for general Michigan probate context.
  • Use county filing-office, clerk, register, or court pages for local filing locations, local forms, fee schedules, and records portals.
  • Use legal-help, law-library, or referral links as research or referral paths, not as a substitute for counsel.
  • Verify current filing steps with the county office, court, clerk, register, legal-aid source, or counsel before filing.

Michigan probate resource questions

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.

Michigan probate resource map by source type

County filing-office sources1

County court, clerk, register, or filing-office pages for local probate divisions, filing paths, local forms, fee references, and courthouse-specific resources.

Referral-navigation sources1

Referral paths for finding certified lawyer-referral services when a family wants help locating counsel.

Show all Michigan self-help resources (2 links)

County filing-office sources

County court, clerk, register, or filing-office pages for local probate divisions, filing paths, local forms, fee references, and courthouse-specific resources.

Referral-navigation sources

Referral paths for finding certified lawyer-referral services when a family wants help locating counsel.

Settled pairs these Michigan source links with county pages, forms, first-step guides, transfer guides, and source notes so families can move from statewide context to the local office that handles the estate.

Types of Probate in Michigan

Michigan offers several probate procedures depending on estate value and circumstances.

Most Common

The full court process

Legal name: Formal Probate

Court-supervised administration for estates that do not qualify for a shortcut.

Timeline
6-12+ months
Attorney
Recommended
Simplified

A shorter path for qualifying estates

Legal name: Simplified Probate

A shorter court process that may be available for qualifying estates.

Timeline
Varies
Attorney
Recommended
Small Estates

A shortcut for smaller estates

Legal name: Small Estate Procedure

A limited shortcut for qualifying small estates.

Timeline
Varies
Attorney
Optional
Not sure which applies? Take the assessment →

Michigan Estate Law Overview

Michigan Estate Tax Info

Michigan tax information for estates

Yes
State Estate Tax
Yes
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
Limited statutory exemptions only; verify current adjusted amount and applicability
Creditor Protection
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.

Latest Michigan Articles

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
MIJun 3, 2026-4 min read

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.

Michigan Patient Advocate Designation: Naming a Healthcare Agent
MIJun 3, 2026-4 min read

Michigan Patient Advocate Designation: Naming a Healthcare Agent

How to name a healthcare agent in a Michigan patient advocate designation: choosing an advocate, witness limits, signing rules, and when authority starts.

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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