Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Arenac 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 Arenac 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.
FirmSaginaw, MI
Since 1939 · Serves 17 counties
Saginaw firm founded by Albert A. Smith in 1939, with offices in Saginaw, Frankenmuth and Alma serving Mid-Michigan and the Thumb. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and probate litigation, and drafts wills, living trusts, special needs trusts and Medicaid and long-term-care plans for aging clients.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 200 St. Andrews RoadSaginaw, MI 48638
FirmEast Lansing, MI
Since 2002 · Serves 8 counties
East Lansing elder law and probate firm with offices in Battle Creek, Jackson, Saginaw, Southfield, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Helps fiduciaries with inventories, accountings and creditor claims, and its litigation team handles will and trust contests over undue influence, capacity and breach of fiduciary duty, guardianships and elder financial exploitation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 1019 Trowbridge RoadEast Lansing, MI 48823
FirmEast Lansing, MI
Serves 10 counties
East Lansing firm with a second office in Mt. Pleasant, practicing in the probate courts of Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Isabella and other mid-Michigan counties. Represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration, from marshalling assets to notice to creditors and estate taxes. Also litigates will contests, trust disputes and undue influence claims.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 6025 N. Hagadorn RoadEast Lansing, MI 48823
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
FirmLansing, MI
Since 1883 · Serves the whole state
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more
- Office
- 124 W Allegan Street, Suite 1000Lansing, MI 48933
FirmKalamazoo, MI
Serves the whole state
Kalamazoo firm with a Grand Rapids office, handling probate administration in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and across Michigan. Brings and defends will and trust contests and breach of fiduciary duty claims against trustees and personal representatives. Drafts wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and Medicaid plans, with a fixed price quote for estate plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 141 E Michigan Avenue, Suite 602Kalamazoo, MI 49007
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.
