How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Michigan?
In Michigan, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingMCL 700.5202, 700.5204Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18MCL 722.52 (Age of Majority Act of 1971)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Michigan, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingMCL 700.5202, 700.5204Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. It needs your signature and 2 witnesses, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18MCL 722.52 (Age of Majority Act of 1971)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the parent's nominee has appointment priority, but the court can still decline them on a best-interest findingMCL 700.5202, 700.5204Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
Yes. Michigan recognizes a separate signed declaration naming a guardian, so a full will is not required to make the nominationMCL 700.5202, 700.5204Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, so a full will is not required; a will remains the standard place to do it.
Yes. Michigan allows a Power of Attorney Delegating Parental Powers (delegation of care of a minor), under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (up to 6 months) without transferring custodyMCL 700.5103Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Michigan, a child 14 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approvalMCL 700.5203, 700.5212Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Michigan
Free forms for planning your estate in Michigan: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Michigan, a will is signed before 2MCL 700.2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyMCL 700.2502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Michigan requires 2MCL § 700.5506Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredMCL § 700.5506Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Michigan treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultMCL § 556.201-556.505 (Act 187 of 2023, eff. 7/1/2024; repealed former MCL 700.5501-5505 EPIC durable POA provisions)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2MCL § 556.201-556.505 (Act 187 of 2023, eff. 7/1/2024; repealed former MCL 700.5501-5505 EPIC durable POA provisions)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Michigan
Free tools for planning your estate in Michigan: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Michigan runs $915Estimate: 3 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,830Estimate: 6 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $25,430MCR 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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Michigan, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.7%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Michigan runs $3,460Estimate: 10 hours at $346, Clio's Michigan Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,190Estimate: 15 hours at $346, Clio's Michigan Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $915Estimate: 3 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,830Estimate: 6 hours at $305, Clio's Michigan Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Michigan, four years at a public university cost about $105,408NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; no state estate or inheritance tax appliesNo state estate or inheritance tax on a death today. Michigan's estate tax (MCL 205.232) is not repealed — it is a "pick-up" tax equal to the maximum allowable federal credit for state death taxes, and that federal credit was eliminated for deaths after December 31, 2004 (replaced by the 26 U.S.C. § 2058 deduction; the old IRC § 2011 credit was struck from the Code in 2014), so the Michigan tax computes to $0. Michigan's inheritance tax applies only to decedents who died on or before September 30, 1993 (MCL 205.223; Michigan Treasury Inheritance Tax FAQ). Michigan levies no gift tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Michigan automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceMCL 700.2807Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Michigan costs an estimated $25,430MCR 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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
You'll be back. Every time life changes.
Michigan Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Michigan probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.