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Hiring a Special Needs Planning Attorney in Michigan

Estate planning attorneys in Michigan average $305 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $915–$1,830 for a simple individual will and $3,460–$5,190 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.

Michigan allows estates under $53,000 to use a simplified Affidavit of Decedent's Successor procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the Michigan probate calculator to estimate the costs.

In Michigan, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.

Start by filtering the directory above by your county and the practice area you need. Look for firms with experience in your specific situation — board certifications in estate planning, trust, or probate law are a strong signal. Most Michigan estate planning attorneys offer an initial consultation; some are free, others charge a flat fee. Ask up front whether the firm bills by the hour or by flat-fee package, and what the expected cost is for your situation.

Special Needs Planning Attorneys in Michigan

Estate planning attorneys in Michigan charge $305Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Apr 1, 2026 per hour for wills work. A simple will done through an attorney typically runs $915Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Apr 1, 2026–$1,830Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Apr 1, 2026; online services cost $30–$300 for the same document.

Michigan runs a conventional probate system, so the decision to hire an attorney usually comes down to general factors: blended families, business ownership, special-needs dependents, or property in multiple states. If none of those apply, simpler tools are often enough.

Estates under $53,000MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estateVerified May 31, 2026 in Michigan can use a simplified affidavit instead of formal probate. Most families in that range can handle it without retaining counsel.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 31, 2026

Legal Sources

  • Clio Legal Trends Report 2025
  • MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate

Data sourced from Michigan statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Home→Estate Law Firms→Michigan

Special Needs Planning Attorneys in Michigan

Search 3,941 estate law firms across 51 states.

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.

7 firms

Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, P.C.

Firm

Troy estate planning and probate firm serving Southeast Michigan (Oakland, Wayne, Macomb) since 1970. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, probate litigation, special-needs planning, and elder law. Two generations of the Mayoras family lead the practice.

Location

1301 W Long Lake Road, Suite 340Troy, MI 48098

Phone

(248) 213-9514

Established

1970

Service Area

3 counties

Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationElder LawTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationSpecial Needs Planning
Free consultationVisit site →

Brandon S. Dornbusch, PLC

Solo Practice

Traverse City-based elder law, probate, estate planning, and special needs planning firm serving Northern Michigan. One of few Northern Michigan practitioners with resources for high-net-worth estate and tax planning, having drafted several hundred estate plans for clients with net worth from $100K to $100 million.

Location

107 Cass Street, Suite HTraverse City, MI 49684

Phone

(231) 714-9392

Service Area

5 counties

Elder LawEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationSpecial Needs PlanningTax Planning
Visit site →

Law Office of Brooke Lauren Archie, PLLC

Solo Practice

Detroit attorney with over 10 years of experience exclusively in probate and estate planning. Handles probate litigation, estate administration, conservatorship, guardianship, and special needs trusts in Wayne County and Oakland County Probate Courts.

Location

615 Griswold Street, Suite 1300Detroit, MI 48226

Phone

(313) 662-9758

Service Area

3 counties

Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning
Visit site →

Eliason Law Office, P.C.

Firm

Hancock-based general practice firm established in 2010 serving Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. Estate planning practice includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, and special needs planning, alongside probate administration, business, and real estate work.

Location

400 Quincy Street, 4th FloorHancock, MI 49930

Phone

(906) 483-4610

Established

2010

Service Area

4 counties

Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate
Free consultationVisit site →

Gaggos Flaggman, PLLC

Firm

Troy estate and trust firm handling estate and trust administration, probate, and elder law for Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County families, alongside business and asset-protection planning. Focus on complex estates and family-owned businesses.

Location

2250 Butterfield Drive, Suite 240Troy, MI 48084

Phone

(248) 646-7700

Established

1997

Service Area

3 counties

Estate PlanningElder LawProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationSpecial Needs PlanningTax Planning
Free consultationVisit site →

Northern Michigan Elder Law PLC

Firm

Northern Michigan elder law firm covering 20 counties across Northern Michigan from offices in Charlevoix, Traverse City, and East Jordan. Handles estate planning, Medicaid planning, veterans benefits, probate administration, guardianship, and special needs planning.

Location

103 W Belvedere AvenueCharlevoix, MI 49720

Phone

(231) 715-1401

Service Area

10 counties

Elder LawEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationGuardianshipConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning
Visit site →

Steward & Sheridan, PLC

Firm

Upper Peninsula firm established in 1980 with attorneys practicing in all 15 U.P. counties. Home to the first Certified Elder Law Attorney in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, specializing in Estate Planning, nursing home issues, Medicaid applications, and asset protection.

Location

205 S Main StreetIshpeming, MI 49849

Phone

(906) 485-6311

Established

1980

Service Area

15 counties

Estate PlanningElder LawProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationSpecial Needs PlanningMedicaid Planning
Visit site →