How Much Does a Will Cost in Michigan?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Michigan costs about $26,017 — roughly 5% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.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). Verified 2026-07-14 against legislature.mi.gov and the Michigan Treasury EPIC cost-of-living-adjustment notice signed 2026-01-30 (Tables A and B).Verified Jul 15, 2026 These costs are paid by the estate before assets transfer to beneficiaries, reducing the total inheritance. Estimate the full cost with the Michigan probate calculator.

A will does not avoid probate in Michigan — probate is the court-supervised process that validates the will, pays debts, and distributes assets. Estates under $53,000 may qualify for a simplified small-estate procedure instead of full probate. A revocable living trust transfers assets to beneficiaries without probate at any estate size.

Online will services cost $30-$300 upfront compared to $915-$1,830 for an attorney in Michigan. Either way, the will goes through the same probate process. Total cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and the eventual probate expenses heirs will pay.

Life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child require updating your will. Some online providers require purchasing a new document. Attorney amendments in Michigan cost $346 to $692 for minor changes and $1,384 to $2,768 for major restructuring.

Michigan has specific requirements for executing a valid will, including witness and notary rules. A will that does not meet these requirements may not be accepted during probate. See the full requirements with the Michigan signing requirements tool.