Michigan Estate Planning Kit vs Hiring an Estate Attorney

If you're deciding between a Michigan estate planning kit and hiring an attorney, the short answer is: a kit covers 80% of what most Michigan families need at roughly 1% of the cost. An attorney becomes necessary when your situation involves business interests, taxable estates above the federal exemption ($13.61 million in 2026), or contested family dynamics that require negotiation, not just documentation.

Here's how the two approaches compare across the factors that actually matter.

Cost Comparison

Michigan estate planning attorneys typically charge $250–$400 per hour. A basic will-and-trust package runs $1,500 to $3,000. If you need ongoing amendments — after a marriage, divorce, new child, or property purchase — each revision adds $200 to $500.

A kit costs a fraction of a single billable hour.

What a Kit Handles Well

The straightforward parts of Michigan estate planning are procedural, not creative. They follow clear statutory rules:

• Will execution under MCL 700.2502 — two witnesses, specific signing requirements, self-proving affidavit option under MCL 700.2504
• Lady Bird deeds under Land Title Standard 9.3 — the single most effective probate-avoidance tool for Michigan homeowners, and most attorneys will charge $500–$800 just for this document
• Patient Advocate Designations under MCL 700.5506 — Michigan's unique healthcare directive with specific witness restrictions that generic national templates miss
• Beneficiary alignment — POD accounts, retirement beneficiaries, joint tenancy — all non-probate transfers that follow federal or account-holder rules, not attorney judgment
• Guardianship nominations for minor children under MCL 700.5202

A good kit walks you through each of these with the specific Michigan statutes, current thresholds, and execution requirements.

When You Need an Attorney

An attorney earns their fee when your situation requires judgment calls, not just form completion:

• Business succession — buy-sell agreements, LLC operating agreement amendments, partnership dissolution planning
• Taxable estates — if your total assets approach the federal exemption, you need trust structures (irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable remainder trusts) that require custom drafting
• Family disputes — if you anticipate a will contest, attorney involvement creates a stronger presumption of testamentary capacity
• Medicaid planning with complex assets — if you're doing asset protection with irrevocable trusts and the 5-year lookback is already a concern, an elder law attorney is worth the fee
• Multi-state property — owning real estate in Michigan and another state creates ancillary probate issues that need coordinated planning

The Hybrid Approach Most Michigan Families Miss

The smartest approach is often both: use a kit to understand every tool available under Michigan law, then hire an attorney only for the pieces that require custom drafting.

Most families overpay because they walk into an attorney's office without understanding what they need. They end up paying $2,500 for a will-and-trust package when a Lady Bird deed and beneficiary updates would have handled everything — work they could have done themselves.

The Michigan Basic Estate Planning Kit covers the full toolkit — 15 chapters on every Michigan-specific strategy, standalone printable worksheets for Lady Bird deeds, Patient Advocate Designations, and non-probate transfer planning. Use it to map out your situation, then decide whether any piece justifies attorney fees.

Who This Is For

• Michigan homeowners with straightforward estates under $5 million
• Families with minor children who need guardian nominations documented
• Anyone who wants to understand Michigan estate planning law before deciding whether to hire an attorney
• People updating existing plans after a life change (marriage, divorce, new home, new child)

Who This Is NOT For

• Business owners with complex succession needs
• Families expecting a will contest from estranged relatives
• Estates approaching the federal tax exemption
• Anyone with irrevocable trust needs requiring custom drafting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Michigan estate planning kit legally valid?

A kit provides guidance and instructions — the documents you create following those instructions are legally valid when properly executed under Michigan's EPIC statutes. The kit isn't a substitute for an attorney's advice on complex situations, but the resulting wills, designations, and deeds carry the same legal weight as attorney-drafted versions when they meet statutory requirements.

Can I do my own Lady Bird deed in Michigan without an attorney?

Yes. Lady Bird deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds) are recognized under Michigan Land Title Standard 9.3 and don't require attorney preparation. The key requirements are proper legal description of the property, correct grantor/grantee designations, notarization, and recording with your county Register of Deeds. The recording fee is typically $30 for the first page plus $3 per additional page.

How much does a Michigan estate planning attorney charge for a simple will?

A standalone simple will typically costs $300–$600. Most attorneys bundle wills with other documents — a will, healthcare directive, and durable power of attorney package runs $800–$1,500. A full estate plan with a revocable living trust adds another $1,000–$2,000.

What if my situation changes after using a kit?

Estate plans need updating after major life events regardless of whether an attorney drafted them. A kit lets you review and update your own plan annually. For significant changes — like starting a business or inheriting substantial assets — you can bring your existing plan to an attorney for targeted upgrades rather than starting from scratch.

See more Michigan guides →