Michigan estate planning
Make a will, living trust & powers of attorney in Michigan
Michigan sets its own rules for who can make a will, how it must be signed and witnessed, whether it needs a notary, and how estates are taxed. Estateur drafts your Michigan will, revocable living trust, and powers of attorney through a guided interview, then validates every document against Michigan law before you ever see it. It is a self-help document-preparation service, not a law firm.
Michigan estate planning at a glance
| Will witnesses required | two witnesses |
|---|---|
| Will must be notarized | No (self-proving affidavit optional) |
| Self-proving affidavit | Available (recommended) |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Recognized |
| Electronic wills | Not permitted |
| State estate tax | None |
| State inheritance tax | None |
| Community property | No (separate / common-law property) |
General information, not legal advice. Figures such as tax exemptions change; confirm current requirements with the Michigan courts or department of revenue.
How to make a valid will in Michigan
A Michigan will must be in writing and signed by you in front of two witnesses. Notarization is not required for the will to be valid, but a self-proving affidavit — which is notarized — makes probate easier by removing the need for your witnesses to testify later. Michigan recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills, but a properly witnessed will is far stronger and easier to probate.
Spousal protection. Elective share = 1/2 of intestate share, less 1/2 of property derived from decedent (MCL 700.2202). A will can't fully disinherit a surviving spouse in most states — Estateur's interview flags this for you.
Living trusts & avoiding probate in Michigan
A will still has to pass through Michigan probate — a public, court-supervised process — before your assets reach your heirs. A revocable living trust holds your assets during life and transfers them at death without probate, which is usually faster and stays private. A trust is not right for everyone; it depends on whether you own real estate, the size and complexity of your estate, and your goals.
Estateur's free quiz recommends whether a will-based or trust-based plan fits your Michigan situation, and every trust-based plan includes a pour-over will as a companion document.
Powers of attorney & healthcare directives in Michigan
A financial power of attorney in Michigan must be notarized and signed before two witnesses. (MCL 556.201 (UPOAA, eff. 7/1/2024))
A Michigan healthcare directive must be signed before two qualified witnesses. (MCL 700.5506)
A complete plan also includes a HIPAA authorization so your healthcare agent can actually get your medical information. Estateur builds each of these to Michigan's signing rules and includes execution instructions.
Michigan estate & inheritance tax
Michigan has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax can apply, and it affects very few estates.
Estate-tax exemption amounts are 2025 figures and change annually. Confirm current thresholds with the Michigan department of revenue.
Michigan statutes referenced
- MCL 700.2502
- MCL 556.201 (UPOAA, eff. 7/1/2024)
- MCL 700.5506
Michigan estate planning: common questions
- Is an online will legal in Michigan?
- Yes. Michigan does not care who typed your will — it cares that the will meets Michigan's execution rules. A will is valid in Michigan when it is in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people (MCL 700.2502). Estateur builds each Michigan will to those rules and includes step-by-step signing instructions, so an online will you sign correctly is just as valid as one prepared any other way.
- How many witnesses does a will need in Michigan?
- Michigan requires two witnesses to sign your will. Adding a notarized self-proving affidavit is optional but recommended — it lets the will be admitted to probate without tracking down your witnesses. Michigan also recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills, though a witnessed will is stronger.
- Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Michigan?
- No. Michigan law does not require a lawyer to make a valid will — you can prepare and sign your own. Estateur is a self-help document-preparation service (not a law firm, and no attorney personally reviews each plan) that drafts your Michigan documents against the state's verified rules and validates them before you see them. For complex situations — large or taxable estates, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or business succession — consulting a licensed Michigan attorney is wise.
- Does Michigan have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
- Michigan has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax can apply, and it affects very few estates.
- How much does an online will cost in Michigan?
- Estateur uses flat, one-time pricing that is the same in Michigan as in every other state: a single Last Will & Testament is $79, or the full Will Plan (seven documents) is $99, with no subscription required.
Create your Michigan estate plan
Take the free 2-minute quiz for a personalized recommendation, or go straight to the plan you need — built for Michigan, at a flat one-time price.
Estateur is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page reflects Michigan law in general terms and may change.
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