Detroit firm, in practice since 1854, with estate offices in Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids and southwest Michigan. Represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in estate, trust, guardianship and conservatorship administration, will contests, trust litigation, fiduciary tax returns and estate tax audits, including estates over $100 million.
Southfield is in Oakland County.
More Tax Planning Firms in Oakland County
Brighton estate-planning and elder-law practice with meeting offices in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Okemos, Livonia and Novi, plus virtual meetings. Prepares wills and trusts meant to keep an estate out of probate and plans for Medicaid and nursing-home costs. Founder Christopher J. Berry is one of 18 Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in Michigan.
Troy estate and business planning firm led by William H. Gaggos, a CPA, and Lawrence S. Flaggman. Administers trusts and estates, from inventorying assets and resolving debts to selling real estate and filing fiduciary tax returns, and litigates will and trust contests and trustee misconduct claims in probate court. Offers a free, no-obligation consultation.
Bloomfield Hills probate and estate planning firm serving Southeastern Michigan, meeting clients at the office, virtually or at home. Guides trustees and personal representatives through post-death administration, handles probate estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and prepares fiduciary accountings and estate and trust tax returns, with in-house nurses and care specialists.
Probate in Oakland County
Probate Court Record
Oakland County Probate Court
Oakland County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept 457, Pontiac, MI 48341
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
How to file probate in Oakland County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Oakland County? →Settling an estate in Oakland County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Michigan
Free Michigan forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Michigan.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Michigan, a will is signed before 2MCL 700.2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyMCL 700.2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Free
Pour-Over Will
In Michigan, a pour-over will is signed before 2MCL 700.2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Michigan
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Michigan: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Michigan.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Michigan levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax on a death today. Michigan's estate tax (MCL 205.232) is not repealed — it is a "pick-up" tax equal to the maximum allowable federal credit for state death taxes, and that federal credit was eliminated for deaths after December 31, 2004 (replaced by the 26 U.S.C. § 2058 deduction; the old IRC § 2011 credit was struck from the Code in 2014), so the Michigan tax computes to $0. Michigan's inheritance tax applies only to decedents who died on or before September 30, 1993 (MCL 205.223; Michigan Treasury Inheritance Tax FAQ). Michigan levies no gift tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Tax
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Michigan imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax on a death today. Michigan's estate tax (MCL 205.232) is not repealed — it is a "pick-up" tax equal to the maximum allowable federal credit for state death taxes, and that federal credit was eliminated for deaths after December 31, 2004 (replaced by the 26 U.S.C. § 2058 deduction; the old IRC § 2011 credit was struck from the Code in 2014), so the Michigan tax computes to $0. Michigan's inheritance tax applies only to decedents who died on or before September 30, 1993 (MCL 205.223; Michigan Treasury Inheritance Tax FAQ). Michigan levies no gift tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 5 months to 7 months for a simple estate.
Calculate the Tax
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Michigan take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesMCL § 206.51 (statutory base 4.25% with annual revenue-trigger reduction formula)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Michigan runs $3,460Estimate: 10 hours at $346, Clio's Michigan Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,190Estimate: 15 hours at $346, Clio's Michigan Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $915Estimate: 3 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,830Estimate: 6 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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