Michigan Guardianship Cost: Filing Fees, GAL Fees, and What to Expect

Guardianship through Michigan probate court is the involuntary alternative to a power of attorney. It's necessary when your parent has already lost capacity and no valid planning documents exist. But it's not free — and the costs extend well beyond the initial filing fee.

Here's a realistic breakdown of what guardianship costs in Michigan, from first filing through ongoing annual obligations.

Filing Fees

Guardianship petition (SCAO Form PC 625): $175

Conservatorship petition (SCAO Form PC 639): $175

Most families filing for an incapacitated aging parent need both — guardianship for personal and medical decisions, conservatorship for financial management. That's $350 in filing fees before anything else happens.

If the family cannot afford the fees, a fee waiver is available through SCAO Form MC 20. The court evaluates income and assets to determine eligibility.

Certified copies of Letters of Authority: $11–$15 per certified copy. You'll need multiple copies — banks, care facilities, insurance companies, and government agencies all require certified originals, not photocopies.

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Fees

The court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem in every guardianship case. The GAL visits the parent, evaluates their condition and living situation, explains their legal rights, and files a written recommendation with the court.

Typical GAL fee: $150–$300, depending on the county and the complexity of the case. The petitioner pays this fee.

The GAL is an independent investigator — not the parent's attorney, not the family's advocate. Their role is to report to the court whether guardianship is appropriate, whether the petitioner is a suitable guardian, and whether less restrictive alternatives exist.

Attorney Fees

You're not required to have an attorney for an uncontested guardianship. Many families navigate the SCAO forms and court hearing on their own, particularly when no family members object and the GAL recommends appointment.

But when guardianship is contested — a sibling objects, the parent opposes the petition, or multiple family members compete for appointment — legal representation becomes essential.

Typical attorney costs:

• Uncontested guardianship: $2,000–$3,500 retainer
• Contested guardianship: $5,000–$10,000+, depending on the number of hearings and the intensity of the dispute
• Hourly rates for Michigan elder law attorneys: $200–$500

If the parent's estate has sufficient funds, the court may authorize payment of the guardian's attorney fees from the estate. But the petitioner typically fronts the initial costs.

Bonding Costs

For conservatorship appointments, the court often requires the conservator to obtain a surety bond. The bond protects the parent's estate from mismanagement or fraud.

Bond premium: typically 1–3% of the bond amount per year. The bond amount is set by the court based on the value of the parent's liquid assets.

Example: If the parent's bank accounts and investments total $200,000, the court might set a bond at $200,000. The annual premium would be $2,000–$6,000, paid from the parent's estate.

Some courts waive the bond requirement if the petitioner is a close family member and the estate is modest. This is at the judge's discretion.

Ongoing Annual Costs

Guardianship and conservatorship aren't one-time events. They come with mandatory annual reporting obligations:

• Guardian: File Form PC 634 (Annual Report on Condition) within 8 weeks of each appointment anniversary. No filing fee, but preparing the report takes time — it details the parent's health, living arrangement, and care services.
• Conservator: File Form PC 583 or PC 584 (Account of Fiduciary) annually, documenting every dollar of income and expenditure. Filing fee: $20 per annual accounting.
• Bond premium: Renewed annually for the life of the conservatorship.

Total First-Year Cost Estimate

Compare this with setting up a Durable Financial POA and Patient Advocate Designation while the parent has capacity: $0–$50 (notary fee), no court involvement, no annual reporting, no bond.

Reducing Costs

File both petitions simultaneously. The court can hear guardianship and conservatorship at the same hearing, reducing attorney time and court appearances.

Use MiFILE for electronic filing. Many Michigan counties (Wayne, Oakland, Kent, Macomb) require it. Electronic filing avoids the time and transportation cost of in-person filings.

Prepare the SCAO forms yourself. For uncontested cases, the forms are standardized and available free from the Michigan Courts website. A comprehensive form-by-form guide can eliminate the need for an attorney in straightforward situations.

The Michigan Power of Attorney & Guardianship Kit includes guardianship filing worksheets, form completion instructions, and an annual reporting template — designed to help families navigate uncontested proceedings without attorney fees.

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