Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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.
FirmHolland, MI
Serves 3 counties
Holland firm with a Grand Rapids office, serving Zeeland, Hudsonville, Allegan and West Michigan. Administers estates with or without a will, assists trustees with trust administration, obtains guardianship and conservatorship orders, and represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in will and trust contests and breach-of-fiduciary claims.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
- Office
- 321 Settlers RoadHolland, MI 49423
FirmGrand Rapids, MI
Since 1992 · Serves 7 counties
Grand Rapids firm whose attorneys George and Christian Krupp represent clients in estate administration throughout Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Newaygo, Montcalm and Ionia counties. Guides personal representatives through supervised and unsupervised Michigan probate, billed hourly from estate assets. Also prepares wills, trusts, living wills and powers of attorney on flat-fee or hourly terms.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
- Office
- 161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 404Grand Rapids, MI 49503
FirmGrand Rapids, MI
Serves 4 counties
Grand Rapids elder law and estate firm with offices in Portage, Holland and Norton Shores. Guides executors through probate, from notifying heirs and creditors and inventorying assets to paying claims, distributing the estate and accounting to the court, and handles trust administration and Medicaid crisis planning. Offers a free consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 4965 E Beltline Avenue NEGrand Rapids, MI 49525
FirmGrand Rapids, MI
Since 1994
Grand Rapids and Livonia estate firm started in 1994 by former Navy JAG attorney John Tamboer. For executors it obtains letters of authority and handles the notices and court filings to the end of the case; for successor trustees it handles private trust settlement, retitling and beneficiary notices, and it files small-estate petitions. The first administration consultation is free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protection
- Office
- 4251 Cascade Road SEGrand Rapids, MI 49546
FirmMuskegon, MI
Since 1949 · Serves 7 counties
Muskegon firm with a Grand Haven office, handling probate court matters throughout West Michigan and serving clients in Muskegon, Mason, Oceana, Newaygo, Kent, Lake and Ottawa Counties. Its trust and estate administration team opens probate estates, publishes creditor notices, and prepares small-estate affidavits, accountings and federal estate tax returns; it also handles guardianships.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more
- Office
- 601 Terrace StreetMuskegon, MI 49440
FirmDetroit, MI
Since 1854 · Serves 7 counties
Detroit firm, in practice since 1854, with estate offices in Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids and southwest Michigan. Represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in estate, trust, guardianship and conservatorship administration, will contests, trust litigation, fiduciary tax returns and estate tax audits, including estates over $100 million.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 150 W Jefferson Avenue, Suite 100Detroit, MI 48226
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.
