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States→Michigan→Eaton County→Costs & Fees

How Much Does Probate Cost in Eaton County, Michigan?

Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Eaton County can expect.

OverviewGetting StartedCosts & FeesHow to FileFind Attorneys

How much will probate cost in Eaton County? The total varies by estate — court filing fees are just the start, and attorney and executor fees often make up the largest share.

In Michigan, attorney fees are based on reasonable compensationMCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 and typically run 2%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 to 4%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 of estate value. For simpler estates, flat-fee arrangements with Charlotte-area attorneys are common.

See what probate is likely to cost in Eaton County:

Court filing fees to open probate are $150MCL § 600.880; MCL § 600.871; MCL § 600.880b; MCL § 700.3982Verified Apr 15, 2026 in Michigan, plus additional fees for motions and final accounting.

Attorney fees in Eaton County typically range from 2%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 to 4%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 of estate value, though many local attorneys offer flat-rate arrangements for straightforward cases. Executor compensation in Michigan is 2%MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 to 4%MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Apr 15, 2026 of estate value based on reasonable payment for time and effort managing the estate.

You'll need to publish a creditor notice in a local Eaton County newspaper ($200-$500). Real estate and business interests also require professional appraisals, typically $300-$600 each.

These costs accumulate over 7 monthsMCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estateVerified Apr 15, 2026 to 12 monthsMCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estateVerified Apr 15, 2026—the typical timeline for probate at the Probate Court. The 4 monthsMCL 700.3803Verified Apr 15, 2026 creditor claim period accounts for much of this wait, and expenses compound as executors manage assets during this period.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated April 15, 2026

Legal Sources

  • MCL § 600.880; MCL § 600.871; MCL § 600.880b; MCL § 700.3982
  • MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
  • MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
  • MCL 700.3803
  • MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Eaton County, that means filing fees ($150 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.

The petition to open probate costs $150 in Eaton County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.

Michigan uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.

Michigan allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.

Yes. Michigan estates under $53,000 can use a Affidavit of Decedent's Successor and avoid most probate costs. Check the Michigan self-filing assessment to see if this applies.

A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Eaton County probate.

Probate Court

Eaton County

1045 Independence Boulevard

Charlotte, MI 48813

Phone:

517-543-4185

Email:

probatecourtweb@eatoncounty.org

Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Visit Court Website →
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

Auto-Owners Life

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Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Citizens Bank

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Bank serving the Northeast, Southeast, and more

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Everwise

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Credit Union serving Indiana and Michigan

Everwise

Fifth Third Bank

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Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

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First Merchants

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Bank serving Indiana, Michigan and Ohio

First Merchants

Flagstar Bank

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Bank serving the Midwest, Northeast, and more

Flagstar Bank

Huntington

Huntington logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Huntington

Independent Bank

Independent Bank logo

Bank serving Michigan

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KeyBank

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Bank serving the West, Northeast, and more

KeyBank

LMCU

LMCU logo

Credit Union serving Florida and Michigan

LMCU

MSUFCU

MSUFCU logo

Credit Union serving Michigan and Illinois

MSUFCU

Northern Trust

Northern Trust logo

Bank serving the Northeast, Midwest, and more

Northern Trust

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