Probate in Michigan · 83 counties
Michigan Probate Courts
Estates here go through the Probate Court (County Probate Court). Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.
Small-estate limit
$53,000
Wait 28 days
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
Executor fee
Reasonable
Reasonable fee set by the court
Handwritten wills
Valid
Unwitnessed, in testator’s hand
Plate · MI
Every Michigan county, on one map
Population, low → high Green = county courthouse mapped in OpenStreetMap Green = probate office details checked on the court's own website courthouse probate office checked
§ I
Michigan probate rules
- Court
- Probate Court (County Probate Court)In Michigan, probate proceedings are conducted by the specialized Probate Court in each county, handling decedents' estates, trusts, guardianships, and civil commitments under the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC).
- Small estates
- $50,000 base, inflation-adjusted under MCL 700.1210: $51,000 for 2025 deaths, $53,000 for 2026 deaths (estate less liens)MCL § 700.3982 & § 700.3983
- Filing the will
- Must deliver will to Probate Court custodian with reasonable promptness
- Creditor claims
- 4 months after the date of publication of notice, or 1 month after direct mail noticeMCL § 700.3801
- Executor fees
- Reasonable compensation approved by Probate Court (EPIC guidelines; typically 2% to 4%)MCL § 700.3719 · calculator
- Estate tax
- NoneMichigan has no state estate tax.
- Inheritance tax
- NoneMichigan inheritance tax was repealed for deaths after September 30, 1993.
- Typical duration
- 7 to 12 months
- Official courts site
- courts.michigan.govCase search: Michigan Judicial Institute MiCOURT Case Search
Re-checked Sept 2026 against: kentcountymi.gov · courts.michigan.gov (courts)
Need help with an estate in Michigan?
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 Michigan courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ II · Register
All 83 counties
Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.
| # | County | Seat | Population | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne County | Detroit | 1,751,169 | office checked |
| 2 | Oakland County | Pontiac | 1,270,426 | office checked |
| 3 | Macomb County | Mt. Clemens | 875,101 | office checked |
| 4 | Kent County | Grand Rapids | 661,354 | office checked |
| 5 | Genesee County | Flint | 401,522 | courthouse mapped |
| 6 | Washtenaw County | Ann Arbor | 365,536 | courthouse mapped |
| 7 | Ottawa County | Grand Haven | 303,372 | courthouse mapped |
| 8 | Ingham County | Mason | 284,637 | courthouse mapped |
| 9 | Kalamazoo County | Kalamazoo | 262,215 | county site |
| 10 | Livingston County | Howell | 196,757 | county site |
| 11 | Saginaw County | Saginaw | 187,782 | courthouse mapped |
| 12 | Muskegon County | Muskegon | 176,564 | county site |
| 13 | St. Clair County | Port Huron | 159,874 | courthouse mapped |
| 14 | Jackson County | Jackson | 159,424 | county site |
| 15 | Monroe County | Monroe | 155,045 | courthouse mapped |
| 16 | Berrien County | St. Joseph | 152,261 | courthouse mapped |
| 17 | Calhoun County | Marshall | 133,366 | courthouse mapped |
| 18 | Allegan County | Allegan | 121,939 | courthouse mapped |
| 19 | Eaton County | Charlotte | 108,820 | courthouse mapped |
| 20 | Bay County | Bay | 102,500 | courthouse mapped |
| 21 | Lenawee County | Adrian | 97,520 | courthouse mapped |
| 22 | Grand Traverse County | Traverse | 96,421 | courthouse mapped |
| 23 | Lapeer County | Lapeer | 88,977 | county site |
| 24 | Midland County | Midland | 84,039 | courthouse mapped |
| 25 | Clinton County | St. Johns | 79,720 | courthouse mapped |
| 26 | Van Buren County | Paw Paw | 75,798 | county site |
| 27 | Montcalm County | Stanton | 68,154 | county site |
| 28 | Shiawassee County | Corunna | 68,025 | county site |
| 29 | Marquette County | Marquette | 66,999 | courthouse mapped |
| 30 | Ionia County | Ionia | 66,262 | county site |
| 31 | Isabella County | Mt. Pleasant | 64,118 | courthouse mapped |
| 32 | Barry County | Hastings | 63,808 | courthouse mapped |
| 33 | St. Joseph County | Centreville | 60,878 | county site |
| 34 | Tuscola County | Caro | 52,826 | courthouse mapped |
| 35 | Cass County | Cassopolis | 51,642 | courthouse mapped |
| 36 | Newaygo County | White Cloud | 51,108 | county site |
| 37 | Hillsdale County | Hillsdale | 45,587 | courthouse mapped |
| 38 | Branch County | Coldwater | 45,215 | courthouse mapped |
| 39 | Gratiot County | Ithaca | 41,368 | courthouse mapped |
| 40 | Mecosta County | Big Rapids | 41,099 | county site |
| 41 | Sanilac County | Sandusky | 40,368 | courthouse mapped |
| 42 | Houghton County | Houghton | 37,599 | courthouse mapped |
| 43 | Delta County | Escanaba | 36,790 | county site |
| 44 | Chippewa County | Sault Ste. Marie | 36,264 | courthouse mapped |
| 45 | Emmet County | Petoskey | 34,123 | courthouse mapped |
| 46 | Wexford County | Cadillac | 34,122 | courthouse mapped |
| 47 | Clare County | Harrison | 31,316 | county site |
| 48 | Huron County | Bad Axe | 30,927 | courthouse mapped |
| 49 | Mason County | Ludington | 29,159 | courthouse mapped |
| 50 | Alpena County | Alpena | 28,904 | courthouse mapped |
| 51 | Oceana County | Hart | 26,981 | courthouse mapped |
| 52 | Charlevoix County | Charlevoix | 26,159 | county site |
| 53 | Cheboygan County | Cheboygan | 26,048 | courthouse mapped |
| 54 | Dickinson County | Iron Mountain | 25,982 | courthouse mapped |
| 55 | Gladwin County | Gladwin | 25,853 | courthouse mapped |
| 56 | Otsego County | Gaylord | 25,747 | courthouse mapped |
| 57 | Manistee County | Manistee | 25,562 | courthouse mapped |
| 58 | Iosco County | Tawas | 25,373 | courthouse mapped |
| 59 | Antrim County | Bellaire | 24,409 | courthouse mapped |
| 60 | Roscommon County | Roscommon | 23,863 | courthouse mapped |
| 61 | Osceola County | Reed | 23,330 | courthouse mapped |
| 62 | Leelanau County | Suttons Bay Township | 23,019 | county site |
| 63 | Menominee County | Menominee | 22,945 | courthouse mapped |
| 64 | Ogemaw County | West Branch | 20,990 | courthouse mapped |
| 65 | Kalkaska County | Kalkaska | 18,490 | county site |
| 66 | Benzie County | Beulah | 18,441 | county site |
| 67 | Missaukee County | Lake | 15,311 | courthouse mapped |
| 68 | Arenac County | Standish | 15,145 | courthouse mapped |
| 69 | Gogebic County | Bessemer | 14,224 | courthouse mapped |
| 70 | Crawford County | Grayling | 13,538 | courthouse mapped |
| 71 | Presque Isle County | Rogers | 13,285 | courthouse mapped |
| 72 | Lake County | Baldwin | 12,734 | courthouse mapped |
| 73 | Iron County | Crystal Falls | 11,740 | courthouse mapped |
| 74 | Mackinac County | St. Ignace | 10,851 | courthouse mapped |
| 75 | Alcona County | Harrisville | 10,489 | courthouse mapped |
| 76 | Montmorency County | Atlanta | 9,678 | courthouse mapped |
| 77 | Alger County | Munising | 8,757 | courthouse mapped |
| 78 | Oscoda County | Mio | 8,545 | courthouse mapped |
| 79 | Baraga County | L'Anse | 8,310 | courthouse mapped |
| 80 | Schoolcraft County | Manistique | 8,149 | county site |
| 81 | Luce County | Newberry | 6,435 | courthouse mapped |
| 82 | Ontonagon County | Ontonagon | 5,906 | courthouse mapped |
| 83 | Keweenaw County | Eagle River | 2,172 | courthouse mapped |
§ III
Michigan probate questions
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Michigan?
$50,000 base, inflation-adjusted under MCL 700.1210: $51,000 for 2025 deaths, $53,000 for 2026 deaths (estate less liens) (MCL § 700.3982 & § 700.3983). It can be used 28 days after death. Wait 28 days for transfer by affidavit. Petition and order for small estate available immediately if funeral bill paid.
How are executor and administrator fees calculated in Michigan?
Reasonable compensation approved by Probate Court (EPIC guidelines; typically 2% to 4%) (MCL § 700.3719). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.
What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in Michigan?
4 months after the date of publication of notice, or 1 month after direct mail notice (MCL § 700.3801). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.
Does Michigan recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?
Yes. Michigan recognizes holographic wills if dated and if the testator's signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting (MCL § 700.2502).
Does Michigan have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?
Michigan has no state estate tax. There is no inheritance tax.