Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Mackinac 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 a Mackinac 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.
Solo PracticeSault Ste. Marie, MI
Since 1985 · Serves 5 counties
Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette office serving Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1985. Guides executors through probate, prepares formal accountings of estates and trusts, and litigates will contests, undue influence claims, removal of trustees and executors, surcharge actions, creditor claims and probate appeals. Wills and trusts, bankruptcy and real estate round out the practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 402 Ashmun StreetSault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Solo PracticeSault Ste. Marie, MI
Serves 3 counties
Sault Ste. Marie practice in the Eastern Upper Peninsula serving clients throughout the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Michigan. Michael Veum handles probate estate administration, trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and elder-law and Medicaid planning. Offers a free phone consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more
- Office
- 216 Ashmun StreetSault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
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
FirmIshpeming, MI
Serves 15 counties
Ishpeming firm near the Marquette County Probate Court whose attorneys practice in all 15 Upper Peninsula counties. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and will and trust disputes, and plans for nursing home care, Medicaid applications and special needs trusts. James Steward was the first Certified Elder Law Attorney in the Upper Peninsula.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
- Office
- 205 South Main StreetIshpeming, MI 49849
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
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.
