What is the cheapest way to file court papers in Michigan?

File the statewide SCAO forms yourself and pay only the statutory filing fee. The forms are free. Where people overspend is refiling after a rejection — each rejected filing can cost another motion fee and weeks of delay. If your income is low, ask the clerk about a fee waiver (Form MC 20).

Do Michigan courts offer fee waivers?

Yes. If you receive means-tested public assistance or your income is below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can ask the court to waive or suspend filing fees with Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request). The judge reviews it, and if approved you pay little or nothing to file.

Why do costs differ between Michigan counties?

The main filing fees are set by state law and identical in every county. What changes county to county are copy and certification fees, e-filing transaction charges through MiFILE, service of process costs, and newspaper publication rates when service by publication is required.

What does document preparation cost compared to an attorney?

For straightforward uncontested matters, document preparation typically runs a few hundred dollars flat — versus attorney hourly billing that can reach thousands. A document preparer completes the forms from information you provide but cannot give legal advice or represent you. Clear Path is not a law firm; every matter is reviewed before a quote.

Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.

Michigan Cost Guides

What Michigan Legal Filings Actually Cost

Honest, line-by-line cost breakdowns — court fees, state fees, service costs, and document preparation — so you know the real number before you start.

Reviewed and updated September 15, 2026 by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.

Quick Answer

Are Michigan court filing fees the same in every county?

Yes for the main filings. Michigan sets filing fees by statute, so a divorce costs $175 without minor children and $255 with minor children whether you file in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, or St. Clair County. What varies locally is copy fees, e-filing transaction charges, publication rates, and service costs.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Michigan? (2026 Breakdown)

An uncontested Michigan divorce typically costs $575 to $1,200 total when you represent yourself. That is a $175 court filing fee ($255 with minor children), roughly $25–$75 for service of process, and document preparation starting at $449. Contested divorces with attorneys commonly run $7,000 to $20,000 or more per side.

Typical total: $575 – $1,200 for an uncontested, self-represented Michigan divorce

Full michigan divorce cost breakdown

How Much Does It Cost to Expunge a Record in Michigan?

Expunging a Michigan conviction costs about $50 in mandatory state fees — the Michigan State Police fingerprint processing charge. Michigan does not charge a court filing fee for a set-aside application. Document preparation through Clear Path starts at $495, and attorneys typically charge $1,000 to $3,000 for the same petition.

Typical total: $50 in state fees, or roughly $545 – $1,045 with professional document preparation

Full michigan expungement cost breakdown

How Much Does Probate Cost in Michigan?

Opening a Michigan probate estate costs $175 in court filing fees, plus a sliding-scale inventory fee based on estate value, plus roughly $75–$150 to publish the notice to creditors. A simple informal estate commonly totals $400 to $1,200 in hard costs. Small estates under the statutory threshold can often be settled with a much cheaper assignment petition.

Typical total: $400 – $1,200 in hard costs for a simple informal Michigan estate

Full michigan probate cost breakdown

How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Michigan?

Forming a Michigan LLC costs $50 to file the Articles of Organization with LARA, plus a $25 annual statement due every February 15. An EIN from the IRS is free. Total first-year cost is commonly $75 to $400 depending on whether you use expedited filing, a registered agent service, or document preparation help.

Typical total: $75 – $400 in the first year for most single-member Michigan LLCs

Full michigan llc cost breakdown

Court filing fees by case type

See a master table of Michigan filing fees for divorce, small claims, eviction, probate, name change, expungement, and more — plus county variation notes and fee-waiver guidance.

View Michigan court filing fees

Michigan filing fees at a glance (2026)

These are the statutory court and state fees — identical in every Michigan county. Document preparation is a separate flat fee quoted after we review your matter.

Michigan court and state filing fees by case type, 2026
Case type	Fee	Filed with
Divorce, no minor children	$175	Circuit court
Divorce with minor children	$255	Circuit court, family division
Small claims	$25 / $45 / $65 by claim size	District court
Eviction (summary proceedings)	$45 plus service costs	District court
Small estate assignment	$25 plus inventory fee	Probate court
Name change	$175 plus publication and fingerprinting	Circuit court
Deed recording	$30 flat per document	County Register of Deeds
LLC formation	$50 state fee	LARA Corporations Division
Expungement (set aside)	No court filing fee; $50 State Police fingerprint fee	Convicting court

What changes county to county

• Wayne County (Detroit): e-filing through MiFILE on most case types, plus a transaction charge per filing.
• Oakland County (Pontiac): e-filing standard; certified copies and motion practice fees add up quickly.
• Macomb County (Mount Clemens): walk-in filing still common; check the division covering your address.
• Kent County (Grand Rapids): e-filing required in circuit court; publication rates are set by the newspaper, not the court.
• St. Clair County (Port Huron): smaller clerk's office, faster counter service, same statutory fees.

Fees are informational and set by the courts and the State of Michigan. Clear Path Document Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Common Questions

Michigan Filing Cost Questions

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