You can make a valid will in Michigan by putting your wishes in writing, following Michigan’s signing and witnessing rules, and making sure the document clearly says who gets what and who is in charge after you die. For anything complicated (blended families, special‑needs beneficiaries, business interests, large estates), talking to a Michigan estate‑planning attorney is strongly recommended.

Quick Scoop

  • Michigan requires a written will, signed by you and witnessed by two competent adults, for it to be valid in most situations.
  • You can use a Michigan statutory will form, an online will service, or a lawyer; all must still follow Michigan law.
  • Notarizing isn’t required for validity, but a notarized “self‑proving” will can make probate smoother.
  • Michigan does allow handwritten (holographic) wills, but they’re easier to mess up and often not ideal.
  • You should update your will after major life changes like marriage, divorce, births, or big financial shifts.

Step‑by‑step: How to Make a Will in Michigan

1. Decide how you want to create it

Common options in Michigan:

  • Use the official Michigan statutory will form (a built‑in template under Michigan law, aimed at simple situations).
  • Use a reputable online will‑maker that supports Michigan and generates state‑specific documents for you to print and sign.
  • Use a local attorney to draft a custom will, especially if you have complex assets, estranged family, special‑needs dependents, or tax concerns.

Whichever route you choose, the document eventually has to end up as a printed, signed paper will under Michigan rules.

2. Confirm you meet Michigan’s basic legal requirements

To make a valid will in Michigan, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be of sound mind , meaning you understand what a will is, what property you have, and who your natural heirs are.
  • Make the will voluntarily , without pressure or undue influence (this is key if anyone might later challenge it).

3. Put the will in proper written form

Michigan generally requires the will to be on paper:

  • The will must be in writing ; audio or video messages do not count.
  • Michigan does not recognize purely digital‑only wills that stay on a computer or phone; even if you draft it online, you must print it and sign it.
  • Handwritten wills (holographic wills) can be valid if they are dated and the important provisions and your signature are all in your handwriting, but they’re easier to misinterpret and more likely to cause disputes.

4. Decide what goes into your Michigan will

As you draft, make sure your will clearly covers at least:

  • Your identity : Your full name, address, and a statement that this is your “last will and testament.”
  • Your executor (personal representative) : The person you want to handle your estate, pay debts, and distribute property.
  • Your beneficiaries : People or organizations who will receive your property.
  • Specific gifts : Items or sums of money going to certain people (e.g., “my car to my sister”).
  • Residue clause : Who gets “everything else” not specifically listed.
  • Guardian for minor children : If you have kids under 18, nominate a guardian and, if needed, someone to manage their property.
  • Pets : You can name someone to receive and care for your pets and leave funds for that purpose.
  • Final wishes : Basic funeral/burial/cremation preferences if you want them in your will (though some people prefer a separate document for this).

5. Sign and witness the will correctly

This is where many people make mistakes; Michigan is strict about the formalities.

Michigan signing requirements:

  • You (the testator) must sign the will (or direct someone to sign for you in your presence).
  • You must sign (or acknowledge your signature) in front of two witnesses.
  • The two witnesses must then sign the will in your presence , shortly after watching you sign or acknowledge the will.
  • Witnesses should be competent adults who understand what they’re doing.
  • It is safest if witnesses are not beneficiaries in your will, to avoid conflicts or challenges later.

You generally do not need a notary for the will to be valid, but notarization can help make it “self‑proving” in probate.

6. Consider a self‑proving affidavit (optional but helpful)

  • Michigan allows you to add a self‑proving affidavit , which is a notarized statement signed by you and your witnesses confirming that everyone properly signed the will.
  • The will itself still must meet all signing requirements; the affidavit just makes it easier for the probate court to accept the will without calling witnesses later.

7. Store your will safely

Once your will is properly executed:

  • Keep the original paper in a safe but findable place like a home safe, fireproof box, or safe‑deposit box (making sure your executor can access it).
  • Tell your executor where the will is and how to get it if something happens to you.
  • You can keep digital copies for your records and for reference, but remember the printed original is what really matters in Michigan.

8. Update your Michigan will when life changes

You should review and possibly update your will when you:

  • Get married, divorced, or separated.
  • Have a child, adopt, or gain step‑children.
  • Experience a major change in assets (big inheritance, business sale, new property).
  • Move into or out of Michigan (to check how other states treat your will).
  • Have a falling‑out with a beneficiary or wish to add new beneficiaries.

Updates are usually done by either:

  • Making a new will that clearly revokes the old one, or
  • Signing a properly executed codicil (an amendment) that meets the same witnessing requirements as a will.

Key Michigan Rules at a Glance

[5] [1][7][5] [3][7][1][5] [7] [3][5][7] [1][7][3] [9][7] [1][3] [5][7]
Topic Michigan Rule (Plain Language)
Minimum age At least 18 years old to make a valid will.
Mental capacity You must understand what a will is, what you own, and who your likely heirs are.
Format Will must be in writing on paper; audio, video, and digital‑only files do not count.
Handwritten will (holographic) Allowed if dated and if the key provisions and your signature are in your handwriting, but can be risky.
Witnesses At least two competent witnesses must sign after seeing you sign or acknowledge the will.
Notarization Not required for validity, but a notarized self‑proving affidavit can simplify probate.
Statutory will Michigan offers a statutory will form in its laws for simple estates, if executed correctly.
Online will You can draft with an online service, but you must still print, sign, and witness it under Michigan rules.
Changing your will Use a new will or a properly executed codicil that follows the same signing rules.

A brief story‑style example

Imagine Alex, a 40‑year‑old living in Grand Rapids with a house, some savings, two kids, and a dog. Alex uses a Michigan‑friendly online will tool to draft a will naming a sibling as executor, leaving the house to the kids, and specific cash gifts to a charity. After printing the document, Alex signs it at the kitchen table in front of two non‑family friends, who sign it as witnesses and then all sign a self‑proving affidavit in front of a notary the next day. Alex stores the original in a small home safe and tells the sibling where it is, then reviews and updates the will after a later job change that comes with company stock.

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Learn how to make a will in Michigan step‑by‑step, including legal requirements, signing rules, online and statutory will options, and when to hire a lawyer. Important note: This is general educational information about Michigan wills and not legal advice for your specific situation. For tailored guidance, consult a licensed Michigan attorney or legal aid service.