How Do I Find a Probate Attorney in Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
When to consider hiring help, what to look for in a probate attorney, and firms serving Grand Traverse County.
We found 11 estate law firms serving Grand Traverse County. Grand Traverse County is part of the Traverse City & Northwest Michigan region.
These firms handle estate administration, will contests, trust litigation, and other probate matters in Grand Traverse County Probate Court.
Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Grand Traverse 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 — typically 2%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%MCL 700.3721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 31, 2026 of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Grand Traverse 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.
Traverse City & Northwest Michigan Firms
Brandon S. Dornbusch, PLC
Solo PracticeTraverse City-based elder law, probate, estate planning, and special needs planning firm serving Northern Michigan. One of few Northern Michigan practitioners with resources for high-net-worth estate and tax planning, having drafted several hundred estate plans for clients with net worth from $100K to $100 million.
Location
107 Cass Street, Suite HTraverse City, MI 49684
Phone
(231) 714-9392
Service Area
5 counties
Elder LawEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationSpecial Needs PlanningTax Planning
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Northern Michigan Elder Law PLC
FirmNorthern Michigan elder law firm covering 20 counties across Northern Michigan from offices in Charlevoix, Traverse City, and East Jordan. Handles estate planning, Medicaid planning, veterans benefits, probate administration, guardianship, and special needs planning.
Location
103 W Belvedere AvenueCharlevoix, MI 49720
Phone
(231) 715-1401
Service Area
10 counties
Elder LawEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationGuardianshipConservatorshipSpecial Needs Planning
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Pezzetti, Vermetten, Popovits & Umulis, P.C.
FirmTraverse City firm serving Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Wexford County probate courts. Handles probate and trust administration alongside will, trust, and estate-plan drafting. Long-standing Northern Michigan practice that also represents financial institutions across the region.
Location
600 E Front Street, Suite 102Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone
(231) 929-3450
Service Area
6 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTrust Administration
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Firms from Neighboring Regions
These firms are based in other regions but serve Grand Traverse County.
Biddinger, Schrot & Rolando, PC
FirmCass City estate planning and elder law firm serving the Thumb of Michigan -- Tuscola, Huron, and Sanilac Counties -- since 1989. Handles Medicaid eligibility planning, disability planning, asset protection, estate settlement, and guardianship for minors and seniors.
Location
4415 S Seeger StreetCass City, MI 48726
Phone
(989) 872-5601
Established
1989
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipProbate Administration
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Law Offices of Daniel J. Harris, P.C.
FirmNorthern Michigan law firm established in 2001 offering estate planning and probate services from offices in Gaylord and Petoskey. Handles trusts, wills, estates, and guardianship matters throughout Northern Michigan.
Location
101 W Main StreetGaylord, MI 49735
Phone
(989) 731-4444
Established
2001
Service Area
6 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsGuardianship
Free consultationVisit site
Statewide Practices
These firms serve clients throughout Michigan.
Butzel Long
FirmLeading law firm established in 1854 providing expert estate planning and probate counsel throughout Michigan. Handles estate tax audits, fiduciary matters, probate litigation, and complex estates in excess of $100 million. Services include revocable living trusts, life insurance trusts, generation-skipping trusts, GRATs, charitable planning, and international estate plans.
Location
150 W Jefferson Avenue, Suite 100Detroit, MI 48226
Phone
(313) 225-7000
Established
1854
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax PlanningCharitable Planning
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Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.
FirmLansing-headquartered Michigan firm founded in 1902 with a Trusts and Estates practice spanning offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Holland, and Southfield. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, business succession, and estate tax planning.
Location
313 S Washington SquareLansing, MI 48933
Phone
(517) 371-8100
Established
1902
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C.
FirmLansing firm founded in 1883 with extensive experience drafting, establishing, and administering estate plans across Michigan from offices in Lansing, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. Attorneys handle all aspects of probate and trust administration. Member of the SCG Legal network.
Location
124 W Allegan Street, Suite 1000Lansing, MI 48933
Phone
(517) 482-5800
Established
1883
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planning
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Keilen Law, PLC
FirmKalamazoo-based law firm with a Grand Rapids office serving clients throughout Michigan. Estate Planning & Probate practice covers asset protection planning alongside estate and trust litigation, business formation, and real estate work.
Location
141 E Michigan Avenue, Suite 602Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone
(269) 382-4818
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust AdministrationBusiness LawReal Estate
Free consultationVisit site
Neumann Law Group
FirmRepresents clients in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and throughout Michigan with probate and estate planning matters. Over a century of combined experience helping individuals and families plan for their future.
Location
250 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 400Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone
(616) 717-5666
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTrust Administration
Free consultationVisit site
Thav, Ryke & Langan
FirmMichigan probate, estate planning, wills and trusts attorneys located in Southfield and Grand Rapids. 100% probate/estate-focused practice assisting with all areas of wills and trusts, estate planning, and probate law.
Location
24725 W 12 Mile Road, Suite 110Southfield, MI 48034
Phone
(248) 945-1111
Service Area
Statewide
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningWills TrustsTrust AdministrationProbate Litigation
Free consultationVisit site
Frequently Asked Questions
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Michigan self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
Michigan uses reasonable fees for probate. Typical Grand Traverse County rates run $200–$500/hour, with simple estates taking 20–40 hours. Flat-fee arrangements are available from some firms.
Files the petition, publishes required notices, helps with the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. The attorney represents the personal representative, not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if disputes arise.
Referrals from an estate planning attorney you already work with are the best source. Bar association directories are second. Avoid attorneys who won't quote a fee structure up front or who won't explain whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures.
Yes — by avoiding probate altogether. A revocable living trust removes the estate from court jurisdiction, which removes the need for a probate attorney at settlement time. Create a revocable trust online for about what one hour of probate-attorney time costs.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability. Information last verified: June 2026.
Probate Court
Grand Traverse County
280 Washington Street, Suite 223
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone:
231-922-6862Fax:
231-922-4458
Email:
probate@gtcountymi.govHours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
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