Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI

Our Recommended Top 18

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Grand Rapids Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

58Reviewed

42Curated

18Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

25 Division Avenue South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (9)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Chase Bylenga Hulst is a law firm representing individuals and families during the probate process in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. The practice guides the estate's personal representative through the process of probate and helps them gather all necessary documents and other materials. It also assists them with filing forms and its team represents them in court, when necessary. Attorney and partner April Hulst is a member of the Federal Bar Association of West Michigan.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Andrew Mcinnis - AssociateActive5 yrs
Mike Hanrahan - PartnerActive11 yrs
Justin Maxim - PartnerActive8 yrs
April Hulst - PartnerActive16 yrs

5035 Plainfield, NE, Suite A, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)
Facebook
4.3 (9)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Coonen Law, PLLC, serves residents in and around the Grand Rapids area. Principal Rose A. Coonen guides clients throughout the probate process, informing them of the steps they need to take and answering questions on how executors are chosen and how assets are distributed. She also provides trust administration assistance. Coonen serves as a personal family lawyer who continuously checks if estate plans are working for clients throughout their lifetime. She graduated magna cum laude from law school in 2003.

  • Estate Planning

233 E. Fulton St, Suite 224, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Brown Law Firm attends to the probate law needs of families in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. The firm handles wills and trusts, asset protection, tax planning, trust and estate administration, long-term care planning, and independent trustee services. It also assists with elder law cases. Founding attorney Chris Brown has been practicing since 1999. He founded the Brown Law Firm in 2012 after spending more than 12 years in the estate planning group of a larger Grand Rapids firm.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Chris Brown - Founding MemberActive24 yrs

25 Division Ave S #500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (18)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, CBH Attorneys & Counselors handles complex business cases and routine legal matters. With over 100 years of combined experience, the lawyers at the firm help families navigate the Michigan probate process. The team drafts estate plans, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. It also represents individuals and businesses in bankruptcy cases. The law office's senior counsel, Steve Rayman, has been certified by the American Board of Certification in both consumer and business bankruptcy.

  • Trusts
  • Wills

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
April Hulst - PartnerActive16 yrs
Steve Bylenga - PartnerActive15 yrs

2445 Eastern Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (68)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2004, Carpenter & Judd Attorneys and Counselors is a local firm that serves individuals and families in Grand Rapids. It guides clients through the probate process, including distribution of assets and settlement of disputes that may arise. It also handles estate planning matters, such as trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. Other areas of practice include family law, corporate law, and mediation services. The firm's founder, G. Robert Carpenter earned his Juris Doctorate in 1999 and scored top 1% in the Multistate Bar Exam.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
George Carpenter - PartnerActive25 yrs

1 Coldbrook Street NW Suite 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Ledbetter.Law caters to parties in Grand Rapids who have concerns under probate law. The firm handles issues arising from the judicial execution and validation of wills and the administration of trusts. It also produces estate plans to protect decedents' assets and facilitate the transfer of inheritable properties during death. Practitioner David G. Ledbetter has completed additional studies in taxation law and has been involved in transactions over transfers of familial wealth for over 25 years.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

99 Monroe Ave, NW Suite 1210, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

David, Wierenga & Lauka, PC, Attorneys at Law, assists clients in Grand Rapids and its surrounding communities in navigating the probate process. Its team members also draft medical directives, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Additionally, they address issues related to guardianships, conservatorships, and charitable trusts and foundations. Real estate and business law are the firm's other practice areas. One of its partners, Ronald E. David, is a certified public accountant.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

25 Ionia Avenue Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (11)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Howard Law Group is a law practice representing individuals throughout the probate process in the Grand Rapids area. The firm is capable of interpreting wills with unclear or confusing terms and it can also handle cases in which the decedent left no will upon death. In addition to estate administration, this firm can assist with other types of asset transfers. Attorneys at Howard Law Group are also prepared to litigate in cases of a disputed estate.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Howard - PartnerActive40 yrs

4965 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (147)
Avvo
5.0 (6)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Carrier Law is a firm serving clients in the Grand Rapids area. It handles probate matters, overseeing all aspects of the process from notifying heirs and beneficiaries to valuing assets and settling outstanding debts. It also offers legal representation and advice in situations in which the validity of the decedent's will is being challenged. Carrier Law also helps clients navigate estate planning tax laws and develops it estate planning strategies.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Carrier - PrincipalActive36 yrs
William Bereza - AssociateActive11 yrs

77 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (10)
Avvo
2.4 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Patti L. McKenney P.C. Attorney At Law is a law firm in Grand Rapids that caters to local individuals and families. It offers legal services in the areas of wills, trusts, and power of attorney. It also handles cases involving estate and family law. Patti L. McKenney, the founder of the firm, has been in the law field since 1983. She relocated to Grand Rapids and established her first private practice in 1984. McKenney also served as a staff and managing attorney with UAW Legal Services Plans for about 11 years.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Patti Mckenney - Managing AttorneyActive41 yrs

3501 Lake Eastbrook Boulevard Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Coles Law PLC is a firm handling probate cases for clients in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. The firm takes on probate matters of all types and complexities and is able to peacefully mediate disputes and conflicts between family members or beneficiaries named in the decedent's will. Attorney Jennifer H. Coles can also assist with asset appraisal and distribution. Ms. Coles has been practicing law for over 20 years.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jennifer Coles - PrincipalActive30 yrs

4595 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Suite 236, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (12)
Google
5.0 (6)
Avvo
4.8 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Westerbeke Law Firm, PLLC, in Grand Rapids offers clients its knowledge of probate and trust administration. The founder, Bill Westerbeke, focuses on helping clients avoid probate and protect their assets through guiding them in making informed decisions and drafting an estate plan. He also handles cases related to trust funding, special needs planning, and elder law. Bill is dedicated to serving the community by regularly speaking in estate planning seminars. He is also licensed to practice in Illinois.

  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Trust Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bill Westerbeke - FounderActive21 yrs

2828 Kraft Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

LAH Law PLC is a legal practice serving clients needing a probate attorney in the Grand Rapids area. This firm consults with the decedent's family members, beneficiaries, and heirs to establish their roles and responsibilities and transfers assets quickly and cost-effectively. It's also capable of administering the estate in accordance with state laws when the decedent did not leave a will. Additionally, attorney and firm owner L. Allen Heneveld is admitted to practice law in California.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
L. Heneveld - PrincipalActive39 yrs

2025 E Beltline Ave SE Suite 402, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Located in Grand Rapids, Cottrell Law assists individuals, families, and business owners with matters related to estate planning and probate. Charles Cottrell, the firm's sole practitioner, helps clients utilize legal devices like advanced directives and assorted types of trusts in their estate plans. Cottrell also guides clients through probate proceedings and estate administration matters. He has over a decade of legal experience and is accredited by the Veteran's Administration, making him qualified to help veterans apply for their benefits.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles Cottrell - PrincipalActive16 yrs

4251 Cascade Road SE Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Serving clients in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas, Estate Planning Law Group is a group of attorneys handling multiple areas, including probate matters. They help in creating a comprehensive estate plan, including the identification of assets, the names of beneficiaries or heirs, and how these assets will be used in the event of death or incapacity. The firm also helps by guiding its clients through the probate process and by distributing the estate when necessary.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration

124 Fulton St E Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (39)
Yelp
3.5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Reeder Plachta Murphy is a law firm that provides legal services for clients with concerns regarding probate in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas. With decades-worth of experience, the firm helps its clients in creating an estate plan, and guiding them through the process of probate litigation. Its lawyers help prevent postmortem disagreements and confusions among family members. The firm's legal services also cover multiple practice areas, including business and corporate law, tax resolution, and government benefits.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bryan Reeder - Managing PartnerActive13 yrs

180 Monroe Avenue N.W., Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.2 (10)
Facebook
5.0 (4)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Kuiper Kraemer PC Attorneys at Law is a Grand Rapids-based firm that handles estate planning and administration. Its attorneys assist individuals in planning for the transfer of their assets upon death, helping them create estate planning documents like wills to facilitate this transfer and minimize taxes involved. They also work on estate administration, mediating or litigating disputes between heirs. Grand Rapids Magazine named the firm as the best law firm in Grand Rapids in its 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 editions.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Kuiper - PartnerActive32 yrs
Scott Kraemer - PartnerActive18 yrs
Holly Jackson - PartnerActive16 yrs

3140 Division Avenue Southwest, Grandville, MI 49418

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Baar & Lichterman is a firm offering services for probate cases near the Grand Rapids area. The practice begins the process by gathering all relevant parties and documents, including the decedent's will. Its team makes recommendations and assists the estate administrator or executor with fulfilling their duties. It can also handle situations involving no will or high asset estates. Attorney and partner Michael Lichterman has been practicing law for over 10 years.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Joel Baar - MemberActive26 yrs

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Chase Bylenga Hulst
25 Division Avenue South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Coonen Law, PLLC
5035 Plainfield, NE, Suite A, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Brown Law Firm
233 E. Fulton St, Suite 224, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
CBH Attorneys & Counselors
25 Division Ave S #500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Carpenter & Judd Attorneys and Counselors
2445 Eastern Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Ledbetter.Law
1 Coldbrook Street NW Suite 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
David, Wierenga & Lauka, PC Attorneys at Law
99 Monroe Ave, NW Suite 1210, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Howard Law Group
25 Ionia Avenue Southwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Carrier Law
4965 East Beltline Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Patti L. McKenney P.C. Attorney At Law
77 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Coles Law, PLC
3501 Lake Eastbrook Boulevard Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Westerbeke Law Firm, PLLC
4595 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Suite 236, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
LAH Law PLC
2828 Kraft Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Cottrell Law
2025 E Beltline Ave SE Suite 402, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Estate Planning Law Group
4251 Cascade Road SE Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Reeder Plachta Murphy
124 Fulton St E Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Kuiper Kraemer PC Attorneys at Law
180 Monroe Avenue N.W., Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Baar & Lichterman
3140 Division Avenue Southwest, Grandville, MI 49418

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Grand Rapids, MI Probate FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

    The Grand Rapids police department’s non-emergency line is 616-456-3400.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

    For requests and inquiries, you may contact the Records Section of the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-4177.

  • Where is the probate court for Grand Rapids located?

    The probate court that handles estates in Grand Rapids can be found in Kent County at Suite 2500, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has a staff of four knowledgeable and experienced judges who are committed to and understand probate law. This statutory jurisdiction court primarily handles matters such as properly transferring assets after death and protecting mentally ill or incapacitated persons and their assets.

  • Are appearances or visits to the probate court in Kent County required for various probate-related matters?

    No, appearances or visits to the court in Kent County for certain probate-related matters are not required. Actions that can be done online and do not need a trip to the courthouse include the following:

    • downloading of court-approved forms
    • calculating inventory fees
    • requests for certified court records, such as Letters of Authority
    • probate file and record searches
    • requests for register of actions and docket

    You may access the site at https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/Probate/.

  • How can a small estate in Grand Rapids be transferred to its heirs without undergoing probate?

    A Grand Rapids small estate may bypass probate through an affidavit of the decedent’s successor and if the following conditions are met:

    • The decedent has been dead for at least 28 days.
    • No real property assets exist.
    • No petition for the appointment of a personal representative exists.
    • Its successor qualifies for payment or the delivery of the decedent’s property.
    • No petition for assignment exists.
    • The affidavit includes the beneficiaries’ names, addresses, and share.
  • In Grand Rapids, how does an estate’s real property affect a probate inventory if the property is used as security for a debt?

    According to Section 600.871 of Michigan’s Revised Judicature Act, if an estate has real property that is used as or encumbered by security for a debt, the debt’s amount will be subtracted from the property’s value to determine the Grand Rapids estate’s inventory fee. This deduction is made to that specific property’s value and may not be used to determine if an estate classifies as a small estate.

  • How quickly must a probate petition in Grand Rapids be filed?

    Michigan law has no deadline for filing a Grand Rapids probate petition, unlike some states. But even if no stipulated legal time frame exists, it is in the best interest of everyone involved if the petition is filed as soon as possible. The minimum duration of a Michigan probate is five months, with most cases taking up to a year, while contested cases take even longer. Additionally, the deceased’s creditors can also file the petition, which significantly complicates the process in Grand Rapids.

Related Articles

FeaturedDo Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Do Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Working on contingency means a lawyer is only paid if their client has a successful outcome. With probate cases on the rise a...

You might also like...