How much does estate planning cost in Michigan?

Why flat fees instead of hourly billing?

Most estate planning work is genuinely predictable — the documents involved don't vary much once we've figured out what you need. Hourly billing makes sense for open-ended litigation; it doesn't make much sense for drafting a will or trust, where it mostly just adds anxiety about the clock running during every phone call or email. I quote a flat fee upfront, based on your situation, before any work begins. You'll know the full cost before you commit to anything.

What makes a plan more complex (and costs more)?

A handful of factors tend to push a plan beyond the simple will or standard trust package:

• Blended families — children from prior relationships often need more carefully structured provisions.
• Business ownership — succession planning or buy-sell provisions add complexity.
• Out-of-state or multiple properties — real estate in more than one state can require extra coordination.
• Special needs beneficiaries — may require a special needs trust to preserve benefit eligibility.
• Larger or more complex estates — may warrant additional tax planning.

None of this is meant to upsell you — most West Michigan families fall well within the simple will or standard trust package. I'll tell you plainly during your free consultation if your situation needs more than the standard package, and why.

Why probate is quoted separately

Probate and estate administration pricing depends on things I can't know until we've looked at the actual estate — how many assets, whether there's a will, whether beneficiaries agree, and whether any creditors or disputes are involved. I'll give you a clear, honest estimate after an initial review, before any work begins.