Can You Self-File Probate in Lenawee County, Michigan?
Find out if you can handle probate yourself, see estimated cost savings vs. hiring an attorney, and get a step-by-step filing checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Self-filing in Lenawee County works best for straightforward estates with a clear will and few beneficiaries. The estate settlement plan tracks each Lenawee County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Probate Court, 425 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Adrian, MI 49221. Phone: 517-264-4614. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Lenawee County offers e-filing for probate matters. MiFILE e-filing system rolling out county-by-county. Check with local probate court for availability.
Yes, Michigan offers informal probate procedures that are designed to be manageable without attorney representation.MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate; base $50K set by PA 1 of 2024, adjusted by 2023 COLA factor per MCL 700.1210; 2026 adjusted amounts: $53K affidavit/petition threshold per MCL 700.3983 and 700.3982(1)&(2); $264K real-property indebtedness deduction cap per MCL 700.3982(5) — confirmed via Michigan Treasury COLA notice dated 2026-01-30, Table B); MCL 700.3803 (4-mo creditor claims from publication; 3-yr if no publication); MCL 700.3801 (publication duty); MCR 5.208 (publication mechanics); MCL 700.3719 (PR reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3721 (attorney reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3603 (bond not required in informal probate by default); MCL 600.871 (inventory fee schedule — all tiers verified); MCL 600.880 (filing fee: $150 civil action; $25 for MCL 700.3982 petition); MCL 700.3302 (informal probate by the probate register); MCL 700.3704 (unsupervised administration); MCL 700.3501 (supervised admin); MCR 5.313(A) (attorney reasonable compensation); MCR 5.208(A) (newspaper publication); MCL 700.3605 (bond on demand). Re-verified 2026-09-08 against legislature.mi.gov (MCL through PA 91 of 2026), the Michigan Court Rules of 1985 (ch. 5 updated 2026-09-02), the Treasury EPIC COLA notice of 2026-01-30, and the SCAO inventory-fee calculator API.Verified Sep 8, 2026 The process is most straightforward for simple estates with clear wills and cooperative beneficiaries.
Court filing fees in Michigan vary by county.MCL 700.3982, 700.3983 (small estate; base $50K set by PA 1 of 2024, adjusted by 2023 COLA factor per MCL 700.1210; 2026 adjusted amounts: $53K affidavit/petition threshold per MCL 700.3983 and 700.3982(1)&(2); $264K real-property indebtedness deduction cap per MCL 700.3982(5) — confirmed via Michigan Treasury COLA notice dated 2026-01-30, Table B); MCL 700.3803 (4-mo creditor claims from publication; 3-yr if no publication); MCL 700.3801 (publication duty); MCR 5.208 (publication mechanics); MCL 700.3719 (PR reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3721 (attorney reasonable compensation); MCL 700.3603 (bond not required in informal probate by default); MCL 600.871 (inventory fee schedule — all tiers verified); MCL 600.880 (filing fee: $150 civil action; $25 for MCL 700.3982 petition); MCL 700.3302 (informal probate by the probate register); MCL 700.3704 (unsupervised administration); MCL 700.3501 (supervised admin); MCR 5.313(A) (attorney reasonable compensation); MCR 5.208(A) (newspaper publication); MCL 700.3605 (bond on demand). Re-verified 2026-09-08 against legislature.mi.gov (MCL through PA 91 of 2026), the Michigan Court Rules of 1985 (ch. 5 updated 2026-09-02), the Treasury EPIC COLA notice of 2026-01-30, and the SCAO inventory-fee calculator API.Verified Sep 8, 2026 Self-filing costs typically include the court petition fee, publication costs. The filing fee is a fraction of total probate costs. See a full breakdown with the Michigan probate calculator.
Sources
Data sourced from Probate Court primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More Michigan counties: Leelanau County (Suttons Bay) · Livingston County (Howell)
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
More tools for settling this estate
Calculators and checklists for navigating probate and estate administration.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor — the writing filed with the court, drafted to your state's rule, with its deadline and filing office.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, composed to your state's statute with its recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Hire a Lenawee County County Attorney
Browse vetted attorneys serving Lenawee County County, Michigan.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Michigan Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Michigan probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.