A Will Puts Your Wishes in Writing — and Keeps Your Family Out of Court
Why a Will Is the Foundation of Every Estate Plan
A will is the most fundamental estate planning document you can have. It tells the court, your family, and your loved ones exactly what you want to happen to your property, your finances, and — if you have minor children — who you want to raise them. Without one, Michigan law decides those questions for you, and the outcome may look nothing like what you intended.
Many people put off writing a will because it feels complicated or because they assume they don't have enough assets to make it worthwhile. Younger adults often delay estate planning because they believe it's something to think about later in life or only after they've accumulated significant wealth or started a family. Neither assumption is true. A properly drafted will isn't based on your age or the size of your estate. It's about making your wishes known, protecting the people who matter most to you, and ensuring that someone you trust is responsible for carrying out your final instructions. Our team helps you create a plan that reflects your life today while providing peace of mind for whatever comes next.
Wood & Associates PLLC handles family law, estate planning and probate, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, administrative law matters like license restoration and CPS appeals, DUI/OWI defense, and Minor in Possession (MIP) defense — one team, wherever you're starting from.
What a Michigan Will Can and Cannot Do
A will gives you legal authority over a wide range of decisions, but it has limits that are worth understanding before you plan.
A will in Michigan can:
- Name a personal representative (executor) to manage your estate after you pass
- Direct how your property, savings, and personal belongings are distributed
- Name a guardian for your minor children if both parents are deceased
- Establish a testamentary trust to hold assets for children until they reach a specified age
- Express your wishes for burial or cremation
- Designate who receives specific items of personal or sentimental value
A will cannot override beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or jointly held property with rights of survivorship. Those assets pass outside of probate regardless of what your will says. Part of our job is helping you understand how all of these pieces fit together so your plan actually works the way you intend.
How the Will Drafting Process Works With Our Team
Working with a wills attorney doesn't have to be a drawn-out or intimidating process. We keep it straightforward.
We start with a conversation about your family, your assets, and your goals. From there, we draft a will that reflects your specific situation — not a generic template. We walk you through the document before you sign so you understand every provision. Michigan law requires that a will be signed in front of two witnesses to be valid, and we handle the execution formalities so nothing is left to chance.
If your circumstances change — a new child, a marriage, a divorce, or a significant shift in your finances — we can update your will to reflect your current life. An estate plan isn't a one-time event. It's a document that should grow with you.
Who Needs a Will in Michigan
The honest answer is: most adults. You don't need to be wealthy, elderly, or a parent to benefit from having a will in place.
You should strongly consider working with a wills attorney if you:
- Have children, especially minor children who would need a named guardian
- Own real estate, a vehicle, a business, or any significant personal property
- Have a blended family, a domestic partner, or family dynamics that complicate inheritance
- Want to leave assets to a specific person, organization, or charity
- Have strong preferences about who should not inherit from you
- Simply want to spare your family from uncertainty during an already difficult time
Michigan's intestate succession laws — the rules that govern estates without a will — follow a fixed formula that doesn't account for your relationships, your intentions, or your wishes. A will is how you stay in control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wills in Michigan
Does Michigan require a will to be notarized?
No. Michigan law does not require a will to be notarized to be valid. It must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two individuals who are not named as beneficiaries. That said, having your will notarized as a "self-proving" will can simplify the probate process later by eliminating the need for witness testimony.No. Michigan law does not require a will to be notarized to be valid. It must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two individuals who are not named as beneficiaries. That said, having your will notarized as a "self-proving" will can simplify the probate process later by eliminating the need for witness testimony.What happens if I die without a will in Michigan?
Your estate passes according to Michigan's intestate succession laws, which distribute assets to your closest relatives in a fixed legal order. Your spouse, children, and parents are prioritized — but the formula doesn't account for your actual wishes, your relationships, or people who were important to you but aren't legally related to you.Your estate passes according to Michigan's intestate succession laws, which distribute assets to your closest relatives in a fixed legal order. Your spouse, children, and parents are prioritized — but the formula doesn't account for your actual wishes, your relationships, or people who were important to you but aren't legally related to you.Can I write my own will in Michigan without an attorney?
Michigan does recognize handwritten (holographic) wills under certain conditions, but they carry real risks — missing provisions, ambiguous language, and execution errors that can lead to disputes or court challenges. A wills attorney ensures your document is legally sound and covers the situations you may not have thought to address.Michigan does recognize handwritten (holographic) wills under certain conditions, but they carry real risks — missing provisions, ambiguous language, and execution errors that can lead to disputes or court challenges. A wills attorney ensures your document is legally sound and covers the situations you may not have thought to address.How often should I update my will?
Revisit your will after any major life change: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a named beneficiary or executor, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. As a general rule, reviewing your will every three to five years is a reasonable baseline even without a triggering event.Revisit your will after any major life change: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a named beneficiary or executor, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. As a general rule, reviewing your will every three to five years is a reasonable baseline even without a triggering event.Does a will avoid probate in Michigan?
No. A will still goes through the Michigan probate process, which is how the court validates the document and supervises distribution of your estate. If avoiding probate is a priority, a revocable living trust may be worth discussing alongside your will. Our team can help you weigh both options based on your specific goals.No. A will still goes through the Michigan probate process, which is how the court validates the document and supervises distribution of your estate. If avoiding probate is a priority, a revocable living trust may be worth discussing alongside your will. Our team can help you weigh both options based on your specific goals.
Talk to a Wills Attorney at Wood & Associates PLLC
You've worked hard for what you have and for the people you love. A will is how you make sure both are taken care of when you're no longer here to speak for yourself. Our team serves clients in Battle Creek, Lansing, and across Michigan — and we're ready to help you put a plan in place that actually reflects your life.
Call our Battle Creek office at 269-841-5426, our Lansing office at 517-481-4023, or reach us toll-free at 888-209-7348. You can also connect with us by text, chat, or through our contact form. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours; consultations are by appointment.