Probate in Charlevoix County

Probate Court Record

Charlevoix County Probate Court

Charlevoix County · 7th Probate District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

301 State Street, 2nd Floor, Charlevoix, MI 49720

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

How to file probate in Charlevoix County →

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Charlevoix County? →Settling an estate in Charlevoix County →

Trust Administration Firms Serving Charlevoix County

Ann Arbor firm serving Washtenaw County families for more than 30 years, with an appointment-only office in Petoskey. Handles probate and estate administration, guides trustees through trust administration duties, and litigates will contests, trust disputes and contested guardianships. Elder law work includes guardianship and conservatorship petitions, Medicaid planning and special needs trusts.

Serves 2 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+5

Estate planning and elder law firm in the Thumb of Michigan, with offices in Cass City, Caro, Reese, Bad Axe and Sandusky and an appointment office in Traverse City. Guides executors through probate, supports trustees administering a trust, and petitions for guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults. Medicaid and long-term care planning is a core part of the practice.

Serves 4 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawConservatorship+4

Kalamazoo firm with offices in Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Traverse City. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship petitions, alongside wills, living trusts, and Medicaid planning. Publishes flat fees, including a set price for an uncontested probate case.

Serves 8 countiesFree consultationVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawConservatorship+2

Big Rapids elder law firm with further offices in Cadillac, Gaylord and Traverse City, and homebound appointments on request. Takes families through probate and trust administration after a death, from debts and taxes to transferring title to the heirs, and obtains court approval for guardians and conservators with the required accountings. Medicaid and veterans benefits planning sit beside it.

Serves 4 countiesFree consultationEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawConservatorship+2

Lansing firm tracing its origins to 1902, with a Trusts and Estates group in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Southfield and Detroit serving families, family businesses and fiduciaries throughout Michigan. The group handles trust and estate administration and trust and estate litigation, alongside gift tax, business succession, and Medicaid and elder law planning.

Since 1902Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+4

Lansing firm in the Boji Tower, tracing its practice to 1883 and the Michigan member of SCG Legal. Its trusts and estates team works with personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration, represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in estate and trust disputes, and handles guardianship and conservatorship petitions and Medicaid planning.

Since 1883Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigation+7

All 10 Michigan trust administration firms serving Charlevoix 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.

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Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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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 Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Michigan happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMCL 700.7101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 63 daysMCL 700.7814, 700.7905; MCL 700.7109Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

In Michigan, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Mich. Comp. Laws § 700.7708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Michigan: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 91 daysMCL 700.3706, 700.3707, 700.3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 5 months to 7 months.

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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?

Michigan requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040MCL 206.51Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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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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