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.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Washtenaw County, Michigan
How probate works in Washtenaw County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Washtenaw County Probate Court
Washtenaw County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
101 East Huron Street, Room 1104, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe court's Estates pages explain formal, informal and small estates. Free advice on basic probate matters is offered monthly through the Washtenaw County Bar Association, by appointment at 734-996-3229.
Self-help center
- Self-help serviceThe Washtenaw County/EMU Legal Resource Center is a Michigan Legal Help self-help center that directs people to the right civil forms, helps fill them out and explains court procedures. Call ahead to confirm it is open.
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
Fax
1-734-222-3019
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Washtenaw County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Washtenaw County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 101 East Huron Street, Room 1104, Ann Arbor.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Michigan intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Michigan estates take 7 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Washtenaw County
What probate costs in Washtenaw County, Michigan comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 101 East Huron Street, Room 1104, Ann Arbor.
Michigan charges $175MCL §§ 600.880(1), 600.1986(1)(a)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Michigan are negotiated, typically 1.7%Modeled estimate under MCR 5.313(A) (attorney entitled to reasonable compensation; MRPC 1.5(a) factors); MCL 700.3721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%Modeled estimate under MCR 5.313(A) (attorney entitled to reasonable compensation; MRPC 1.5(a) factors); MCL 700.3721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Michigan allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payMCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Michigan requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
Probate in Michigan typically runs 7 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
Probate cases in Washtenaw County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
The Washtenaw County/EMU Legal Resource Center is a Michigan Legal Help self-help center that directs people to the right civil forms, helps fill them out and explains court procedures. Call ahead to confirm it is open.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
In Michigan, informal probate is availableMCL 700.3302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Washtenaw County Self-Filing Assessment.
Washtenaw County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Filings with no fee may be emailed to probate@washtenaw.org
Each document is attached as a separate PDF, and a filing received after 4:30 p.m. is filed the next business day. Do not also mail a document that was emailed.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: TWO copies of the death certificate (or of alternative documentation of death if no certificate), one of them redacted of protected personal identifying information (MCR 5.302(A)(1); MCL 700.3301, 700.3402); Original will and any codicils, if testate (MCL 700.3301(1)(b)(i), 700.3402(1)(c); MCR 5.302(A)(3)); Testimony to Identify Heirs (PC 565) — mandatory with the commencing application or petition (MCR 5.302(B))MCL 700.3301-700.3311 (informal); MCL 700.3401-700.3414 (formal); MCL 700.3103, 700.3601 (letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Washtenaw County
In Michigan a death is registered locally, and in Washtenaw County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Vital Records Division, County Clerk, Washtenaw County as well as by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
County Clerk
Washtenaw County · Vital Records Division, County Clerk
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Website
Certified copies
At the counter, issued while you wait
Fax
1-734-222-6528
Local rule
- Records date from 1867 for deaths in Washtenaw County, and no ID is needed to order a death record.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $5 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Washtenaw County · Washtenaw County Medical Examiner
Phone
Website
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Washtenaw County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Register of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Washtenaw County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 200 North Main Street, Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: 1-734-222-6710. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107.
The Register of Deeds charges $30 flat, regardless of page count.
Washtenaw County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN, Indecomm and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Washtenaw County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
200 North Main Street, Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Website
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $30 |
MCL 600.2567(1)(a); MCL 600.2567a
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form · Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Washtenaw County
Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw 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.
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.
Brighton estate-planning and elder-law practice with meeting offices in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Okemos, Livonia and Novi, plus virtual meetings. Prepares wills and trusts meant to keep an estate out of probate and plans for Medicaid and nursing-home costs. Founder Christopher J. Berry is one of 18 Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in Michigan.
Huntington Woods estate-and-probate firm practicing in the Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Monroe, Washtenaw and St. Clair County probate courts. Handles contested and uncontested probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, and litigation over wills, trusts and breach of fiduciary duty. Offers a free phone consultation.
Ann Arbor firm, in practice since 1937, serving Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan. Guides personal representatives through informal, formal and small-estate probate, from inventory and creditor claims to final tax returns and closing, helps successor trustees administer trusts, and litigates will challenges and co-trustee disputes.
Ann Arbor firm at Domino's Farms, open since 1948, handling probate in Washtenaw County and for families in nearby Wayne County communities such as Plymouth and Canton. Opens the estate, files the inventory, pays creditors, transfers assets to beneficiaries and closes the estate, and litigates in probate court when disputes cannot be resolved. Also handles guardianships and conservatorships.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- MCL §§ 600.880(1), 600.1986(1)(a)
- MCL 700.3301-700.3311 (informal); MCL 700.3401-700.3414 (formal); MCL 700.3103, 700.3601 (letters)
- MCL 700.3302
- MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- MCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106
- MCL 600.2567(1)(a); MCL 600.2567a
- Washtenaw County Probate Court, official page
- Washtenaw County Register of Deeds, official page
- Washtenaw County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Michigan statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Michigan
Free tools for settling an estate in Michigan: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Michigan.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Michigan: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 91 daysMCL 700.3706, 700.3707, 700.3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 5 months to 7 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Michigan happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMCL 700.7101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 63 daysMCL 700.7814, 700.7905; MCL 700.7109Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Michigan, informal probate is availableMCL 700.3302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
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