Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Alpena County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Michigan are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask an Alpena County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmAlpena, MI
Serves 1 county
Alpena general practice firm serving Northeast Lower Michigan, where partner Daniel J. Florip handles probate, estate planning and Medicaid planning. Runs a full probate court practice covering decedent estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and administers estates and trusts when assets are distributed. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and patient advocate designations round out the work.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more
- Office
- 109 E. Chisholm StAlpena, MI 49707
FirmGaylord, MI
Since 2001 · Serves 10 counties
Northern Michigan firm, opened in Petoskey in 2001, with offices in Gaylord, Petoskey, Alpena, Rogers City, and Southfield. Handles probate of simple and complex decedent estates, guardianships, and conservatorships in the Otsego, Crawford, and Montmorency County probate courts. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 101 W Main StreetGaylord, MI 49735
FirmAlpena, MI
Since 1980 · Serves 4 counties
Downtown Alpena firm that regularly handles estates in Alpena, Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alcona Counties. Guides personal representatives through probate with or without a will, advises successor trustees administering revocable trusts, and represents clients in contested will, trust, guardianship and conservatorship matters. Also prepares Medicaid applications for nursing-home care.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 109 N Second Avenue, Suite 200Alpena, MI 49707
FirmCharlevoix, MI
Serves 22 counties
Elder law firm with offices in Charlevoix, Traverse City and East Jordan, serving 20 Northern Michigan counties and handling estate administration on Mackinac, Beaver and Drummond Islands. Handles probate and trust administration, trust disputes and will or trust contests, and conservatorship and guardianship matters, alongside Medicaid and veterans benefits planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 103 W Belvedere AvenueCharlevoix, MI 49720
FirmBig Rapids, MI
Serves 4 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more
- Office
- 218 Maple Street, Suite ABig Rapids, MI 49307
FirmLansing, MI
Since 1902 · Serves the whole state
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 313 S Washington SquareLansing, MI 48933
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
