Does Having a Will Mean You Can Avoid Probate?

Nope. That’s a common misconception.

A will is a vital tool — but it doesn’t avoid probate. It actually assumes probate will happen.

Here’s how it works in Michigan:

A will tells the probate court what you want to happen after you die:

- Who should receive your property

- Who should raise your kids

- Who should serve as personal representative

But it still has to go through the probate process — the formal court procedure where a judge verifies the will, appoints the representative, and oversees asset distribution.

To truly avoid probate, you need a different plan:

- Trust-based estate planning

- Joint ownership

- Beneficiary designations

- Lady Bird deeds (yes, that’s a real thing — and legal in Michigan)

Bottom line: A will is important. But if your goal is to avoid court, protect privacy, and save your loved ones time and hassle, you need a full estate plan — not just a piece of paper.