Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Manistee 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 Manistee 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.
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
FirmLudington, MI
Since 1994 · Serves 4 counties
Ludington firm covering Mason, Lake, Oceana and Manistee Counties. Tracy Thompson, who has handled probate cases every year since 1996, prepares the papers to appoint a personal representative, uses small-estate procedures where they fit, and guides the estate through collecting assets, paying creditors and taxes, and distribution. Also files Medicaid applications for nursing-home care.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 111 E Court StreetLudington, MI 49431
FirmAnn Arbor, MI
Serves 2 counties
Ann Arbor firm serving Washtenaw County families for more than 30 years, with an appointment-only office in Petoskey. Handles probate and estate administration, guides trustees through trust administration duties, and litigates will contests, trust disputes and contested guardianships. Elder law work includes guardianship and conservatorship petitions, Medicaid planning and special needs trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 2045 Hogback RoadAnn Arbor, MI 48105
FirmCass City, MI
Serves 4 counties
Estate planning and elder law firm in the Thumb of Michigan, with offices in Cass City, Caro, Reese, Bad Axe and Sandusky and an appointment office in Traverse City. Guides executors through probate, supports trustees administering a trust, and petitions for guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults. Medicaid and long-term care planning is a core part of the practice.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more
- Office
- 4415 Seeger StreetCass City, MI 48726
FirmKalamazoo, MI
Serves 8 counties
Kalamazoo firm with offices in Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Traverse City. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship petitions, alongside wills, living trusts, and Medicaid planning. Publishes flat fees, including a set price for an uncontested probate case.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more
- Office
- 3431 Oakland DriveKalamazoo, MI 49008
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
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.
