Written by Sarah Mitchell
Estate Planning Editor, Law-Trust.com
Legally reviewed by James Hartley, J.D.
Texas Bar · Estate Planning Attorney
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Michigan is a straightforward state for making a will online. The requirements are clear, the probate process is well-established through the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), and Michigan has no state estate tax. Michigan also recognizes holographic wills — a flexibility that most states don't offer — though a properly witnessed formal will is always the better choice for certainty and ease of probate.
This guide covers everything Michigan residents need to know: the legal requirements, the best online services, pricing, and Michigan's small estate process that can help families avoid probate for smaller estates altogether.
Is an Online Will Legal in Michigan?
Yes — online wills are fully legal in Michigan when properly executed. Michigan's will law is governed by the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL §700.2502, which requires a written will signed by the testator and two witnesses. Notarization is not required for a standard will, though Michigan allows a self-proving affidavit that simplifies the probate process.
Online services generate Michigan-specific, attorney-drafted will language that satisfies all EPIC requirements. The validity of your will comes from proper execution at home — not from where the document was created. Sign correctly in front of two witnesses, and your online Michigan will is every bit as legally binding as one drafted by a Detroit or Grand Rapids estate attorney.
Michigan Will Requirements Checklist
- Testator age: Must be 18 years or older.
- Sound mind: Must be of sound mind at the time of signing.
- Written document: Must be in writing.
- Signature: Must be signed by the testator, or in the testator's name by another person at the testator's direction and in their presence.
- Two witnesses: Must be signed by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the testator sign.
- Witness eligibility: Witnesses should not be beneficiaries to avoid complications.
- Notarization: NOT required. Optional self-proving affidavit requires a notary.
- Holographic wills: RECOGNIZED in Michigan — signed, with material portions in testator's handwriting.
💡 Self-proving will recommendation: While not required, adding a self-proving affidavit (notarized) to your Michigan will is highly recommended. It eliminates the need for witnesses to appear at probate or submit affidavits later. Michigan notaries are widely available at banks, libraries, and UPS Stores for minimal cost.
Best Online Will Services for Michigan Residents
We evaluated the three leading services for Michigan-specific document quality, guided experience, and overall value:
Best overall for Michigan residents — guided, EPIC-compliant, attorney-drafted
Individual will from
$69
Michigan EPIC-Compliant
Self-Proving Affidavit
Free Updates Included
Trust Plans Available
Attorney-Drafted
Trust & Will is our top pick for Michigan residents. Their platform generates EPIC-compliant, attorney-drafted documents with clear Michigan execution instructions. The Individual Will plan at $69 covers most residents' needs, while the Comprehensive plan at $199 adds healthcare directive and financial power of attorney — recommended for Michigan residents with children or significant assets. Lifetime free updates are included.
Start Your Michigan Will at Trust & Will →
Good Michigan option with attorney consultation access
Basic will from
$89
Attorney Network
Michigan-Specific
Subscription Plans
LegalZoom produces valid Michigan wills under EPIC and offers attorney access via subscription — useful if you have questions about Michigan-specific issues like guardianship, business interests, or blended family situations. Higher base pricing than Trust & Will with aggressive upsells, but the attorney access is genuinely valuable for complex Michigan estates.
Visit LegalZoom →
Budget-friendly Michigan will templates
Subscription from
$9.95/mo
Very Low Cost
Michigan Templates
Multiple Documents
LawDepot offers Michigan will templates at the lowest price point. The experience is more forms-based than Trust & Will, but documents satisfy Michigan's EPIC requirements. Ideal for budget-conscious Michigan residents with straightforward estates who are comfortable with a more self-directed process.
Visit LawDepot →
How Much Does an Online Will Cost in Michigan?
| Option | Cost Range | What's Included |
|---|
| Trust & Will (Individual Will) | $69 | Will, witness instructions, storage |
| Trust & Will (Comprehensive) | $199 | Will + POA + healthcare directive |
| LegalZoom Basic Will | $89 | Will document only |
| LegalZoom Estate Bundle | $299–$499 | Will + trust + POA + directive |
| LawDepot (subscription) | $9.95–$39.95/mo | All documents |
| Michigan Estate Planning Attorney | $1,200–$3,000+ | Full custom estate plan |
For most Michigan residents with estates under the federal estate tax threshold and straightforward family situations, an online service delivers excellent value. Michigan's small estate process (under $25,000) and the availability of revocable living trusts for larger estates mean there are planning strategies at every budget level.
Michigan-Specific Considerations
No State Estate Tax — Favorable for Michigan Residents
Michigan has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Michigan residents are only subject to federal estate taxes, with an exemption exceeding $13 million per individual in 2026. Unless your estate is exceptionally large, Michigan's lack of estate tax makes estate planning more straightforward than in states like Illinois, Massachusetts, or Oregon.
Michigan EPIC — A Modern, Flexible Framework
Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) is one of the more modern and flexible estate law frameworks in the country. It's based on the Uniform Probate Code and is generally more forgiving on technicalities than older state probate codes. For example, Michigan courts have more latitude to admit a will even if there are minor defects, as long as the court is satisfied it reflects the testator's intent. A properly executed online will has no issues under EPIC.
Holographic Wills — Recognized But Risky
Michigan recognizes holographic wills under EPIC, provided the will is signed by the testator and the material portions are in the testator's own handwriting. Unlike some states that recognize holographic wills, Michigan does not require that the entire document be handwritten — only the "material portions." However, disputes about what constitutes a "material portion" are exactly the kind of probate battles that can be avoided with a properly witnessed formal will. For $69, there's no reason to take the risk.
Michigan Small Estate Process
Michigan allows a simplified small estate procedure for estates with a gross value under $25,000 (after subtracting liens and encumbrances on real property). Heirs can use an affidavit to collect personal property — bank accounts, vehicles, personal belongings — without going through formal probate. This is particularly valuable for modest estates where probate court costs would eat into the inheritance. Even if you use the small estate process, having a will makes asset distribution clearer and prevents family disputes.
Not a Community Property State
Michigan is a common law property state. Each spouse owns what's in their own name. Michigan's EPIC gives surviving spouses certain elective share rights, but property is not automatically split between spouses the way it would be in a community property state. Proper titling and beneficiary designations remain important for Michigan residents.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Will in Michigan Online
Choose your service and select a plan Visit Trust & Will and choose the Individual Will ($69) or Comprehensive plan ($199). The Comprehensive plan is the better value for most Michigan residents — it adds the healthcare power of attorney and financial power of attorney that everyone should have as part of a complete estate plan.
Complete the guided questionnaire Answer questions about your beneficiaries, executor, any guardians for minor children, and your assets. The process takes 15–25 minutes. Have beneficiaries' full legal names and contact information ready.
Review your Michigan will carefully Read the completed documents before printing. Confirm all names are accurate, beneficiary percentages are correct, and the document clearly identifies your executor. Download and print the final version.
Sign with two witnesses present Gather two adults (not beneficiaries) in the same location. Sign the will in their presence, then have each witness sign in your presence. For a self-proving will, also have a notary present — they'll notarize the attestation clause after all parties sign. All signatures should occur in one sitting.
Store safely and inform your executor Keep the signed original in a fireproof safe, a safety deposit box, or with your attorney. Michigan's Probate Court requires the original signed will, so don't lose it. Tell your executor exactly where it's stored and provide them a copy for reference. Update the will when your circumstances change significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online will legally valid in Michigan?
Yes. An online will is fully valid in Michigan when signed by the testator and witnessed by two adults under Michigan's EPIC statute. The law doesn't distinguish between documents created online versus by an attorney — what matters is proper execution. Services like Trust & Will generate EPIC-compliant documents automatically.
Does Michigan recognize handwritten wills?
Yes. Michigan recognizes holographic wills under EPIC — the material portions must be in the testator's handwriting and the will must be signed by the testator. No witnesses are required for a holographic will. However, holographic wills are harder to probate, easier to challenge, and create ambiguity about what constitutes "material portions." A witnessed formal will is strongly preferred.
How many witnesses does a Michigan will require?
Two witnesses, both of whom must sign within a reasonable time after witnessing the testator sign. Under Michigan's EPIC, there is some flexibility on the timing, but all parties should sign during the same sitting when possible. Witnesses should ideally not be named beneficiaries.
Does Michigan require a notary for a will?
No. A standard Michigan will does not require notarization. However, adding a self-proving affidavit — which requires a notary — is strongly recommended because it allows your will to be admitted to probate without your witnesses having to appear or file affidavits. Notaries are readily available at Michigan banks, libraries, and UPS Stores.
Does Michigan have a state estate tax?
No. Michigan has no state estate tax or inheritance tax. Michigan residents are only subject to federal estate taxes, with an exemption over $13 million per individual in 2026. Estate taxes are not a concern for the vast majority of Michigan residents.
What is the best online will service for Michigan residents?
Trust & Will is our top recommendation for Michigan residents. Their platform produces EPIC-compliant, attorney-drafted documents with a guided questionnaire. Individual will plans start at $69, and comprehensive plans including healthcare directive and power of attorney cost $199. Free lifetime updates are included.
What is Michigan's small estate process?
Michigan allows a simplified affidavit process for estates with a gross value under $25,000. Heirs can use this affidavit to collect personal property — including bank accounts and vehicles — without formal probate court involvement. This is particularly helpful for modest estates where the cost and time of probate would outweigh the benefit. Real property still requires a different process even for small estates.
How do I avoid probate in Michigan?
A revocable living trust is the most comprehensive way to avoid probate in Michigan — assets in the trust pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement. For assets under $25,000, Michigan's small estate affidavit process offers a simplified path. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts (POD/TOD) also pass outside probate automatically. Joint tenancy with right of survivorship is another common option for Michigan real estate.
Ready to Make Your Michigan Will?
Trust & Will creates Michigan EPIC-compliant, attorney-drafted documents in under 30 minutes. Plans start at $69.
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Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed Michigan estate planning attorney.