Can You Make a Will Online in Michigan? What's Legal

If you have been searching for ways to create a will without hiring an attorney, you have probably seen dozens of online will platforms promising quick, easy, and affordable documents. The good news is that you absolutely can draft your Michigan will using an online tool or template. The part most platforms gloss over is what happens after you fill out the questionnaire. Michigan law has specific signing and witnessing requirements, and skipping any of them can make your will worthless. This guide breaks down exactly what is legal, what the law requires, and how to compare your options so you pick the right one for your situation.

The Short Answer

Yes, you can use an online service or downloadable template to create the text of your will in Michigan. That part is perfectly legal. But Michigan does not yet have a law that lets you sign and finalize a will entirely on a screen. You still need to print the document, sign it by hand, and have two witnesses sign it in front of you. Get those steps right and your online-drafted will is just as valid as one prepared by a $500-an-hour attorney.

What Michigan Law Requires for a Valid Will

Michigan's will requirements are found in the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), specifically MCL 700.2502. A valid will must meet three conditions:

1. It must be in writing. Typed, printed, or handwritten. Audio and video recordings alone do not count.
2. It must be signed by you (the testator), or by someone else at your direction and in your conscious presence.
3. It must be signed by at least two witnesses. Each witness must sign within a reasonable time after watching you sign the will or after you acknowledge your signature to them.

You must also be at least 18 years old and of sound mind when you sign.

Notice what is not on that list: there is no requirement that an attorney draft the document. There is no requirement that you use a specific form or template. There is no rule about what software or service you use to create the text. The law cares about the final signed document and how it was executed, not where the words came from.

Self-proving your will

While not required, making your will "self-proving" under MCL 700.2504 is strongly recommended. A self-proved will can be admitted to probate without requiring your witnesses to appear and testify, which saves time and hassle for your family. To self-prove a will, you and your two witnesses make sworn statements before a notary public (or sign a written certification under penalty of perjury). This can be done at the time of signing or later.

What "Making a Will Online" Actually Means

When people say they want to "make a will online," they usually mean one of three things. It helps to understand which one you are actually looking for, because the legal implications are different.

1. Using an online platform to draft the document

This is the most common meaning. You go to a website, answer a series of questions about your assets, beneficiaries, and wishes, and the platform generates a will document for you. You then print it out, sign it, and have it witnessed. Services like LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and template-based options like CreateMIWill work this way.

This is fully legal in Michigan. The online platform is just a tool for creating the text. The legal validity depends entirely on how you execute the final document.

2. Signing and witnessing the will electronically

This would mean the will exists only as a digital file with electronic signatures. Michigan has not formally adopted a law authorizing this. A bill (HB 4654) was introduced in 2024 to amend EPIC to allow electronic wills under the Uniform Electronic Wills Act (UEWA), but it had not been enacted as of early 2026. The Michigan State Bar's Electronic Wills Ad Hoc Committee continues to evaluate the proposal.

Without a formal statute, an electronic-only will is risky. It might be upheld under the harmless error rule (more on that below), but there are no guarantees.

3. Storing your will digitally

Some platforms offer to store your signed will in an online vault. Michigan law does not prohibit digital storage of a copy, but the original signed-and-witnessed paper document is what matters in probate. Keep the original in a safe, accessible place. A digital copy is a backup, not a replacement.

Electronic Wills and the Horton Case

Michigan made national headlines in 2018 when the Court of Appeals ruled that a note typed on a cell phone could be a valid will. In In re Estate of Horton (Docket No. 339737), a young man named Duane Horton left a typed note on his phone before he died. The note was unsigned, undated, and had no witnesses. Under normal rules, it would not qualify as a will.

But Michigan has something most states do not: a "harmless error" provision at MCL 700.2503. This section says a document that does not meet the formal will requirements can still be treated as valid if the proponent proves by "clear and convincing evidence" that the deceased intended it to be their will. The Court of Appeals found that standard was met in Horton's case, making Michigan the first state to recognize a purely electronic document as a valid will.

What this means for you

The Horton case does not mean you should rely on typing your will into your phone and calling it a day. The court was clear that the harmless error rule is a safety net, not a planning strategy. Horton's will survived because the circumstances were unusual and the evidence of his intent was strong. In a typical situation where family members disagree about what you wanted, an informal document will face much more scrutiny.

The practical takeaway: MCL 700.2503 exists to prevent injustice when someone clearly tried to make a will but fell short on the formalities. It is not a substitute for following the rules. Follow the rules.

Remote Witnessing and Notarization

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan temporarily allowed remote witnessing of wills through executive orders. Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-41 permitted witnesses to observe signing via live video under specific conditions.

Michigan also allows remote online notarization (RON) on a permanent basis. Since September 2018, Michigan notaries registered with the Secretary of State can perform notarizations by two-way audiovisual communication. The notary must be physically in Michigan, but the signer can be anywhere. The session must be recorded and archived.

What this means practically: you can get your will notarized remotely (which helps with the self-proving affidavit), but the witnessing itself should still follow the standard rules under MCL 700.2502. Having witnesses physically present when you sign remains the safest approach.

Comparing Your Online Will Options

If you have decided to create your will yourself (a smart move for most Michigan families), here is how the main options compare:

The biggest difference is not the document itself. Most online platforms produce a legally adequate will. The difference is whether the platform gives you clear guidance on how to execute it properly under Michigan law. A will that sits unsigned on your computer, or one that was signed without proper witnesses, is not a valid will regardless of which service created it.

What to Watch Out For

Online will services have made estate planning dramatically more affordable. But there are some pitfalls to be aware of:

Generic templates that miss Michigan-specific rules

National platforms generate documents for all 50 states. Some do a good job customizing for Michigan; others use generic language that meets the minimum but misses state-specific opportunities. For example, Michigan adopted a new Uniform Power of Attorney Act in 2024 with specific requirements for agent acknowledgment forms. A national template may not include that form.

Subscription traps

Many online will platforms charge a one-time fee upfront but require a subscription to make changes later. You might pay $129 for your will today, then discover you need to pay $49 or $150 per year just to update a beneficiary name. Look for platforms that let you keep and edit your documents without ongoing fees.

Assuming "done" means "done"

Completing the online questionnaire is only half the work. You still need to:

• Print the final document
• Read it carefully to make sure it reflects what you want
• Sign it in front of two witnesses
• Have the witnesses sign
• Ideally, complete a self-proving affidavit before a notary
• Store the original safely and tell your executor where it is

Ignoring the rest of your estate plan

A will is the foundation, but a complete Michigan estate plan also includes a durable power of attorney, a patient advocate designation (healthcare directive), and updated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance. Buying a will without these other documents leaves significant gaps.

Step-by-Step: How to Do It Yourself

Here is the practical process for creating a valid Michigan will online:

1. Gather your information. Before you start, make a list of your assets (home, bank accounts, vehicles, retirement accounts, personal property), the people you want to inherit them, who you want as your personal representative (executor), and if you have minor children, who you want as their guardian.
2. Choose your platform or template. Pick an option that includes Michigan-specific language, clear execution instructions, and the supporting documents you need (power of attorney, healthcare directive). Compare the cost including any future update fees.
3. Complete the document. Fill in the template or answer the questionnaire. Take your time. Read every section and make sure the language matches your intentions. If something does not look right, fix it before you print.
4. Print the final version. Print on standard white paper. Do not use double-sided printing. Make sure every page is clean and readable.
5. Sign with two witnesses present. Find two adults who are generally competent to be witnesses. Michigan does not require them to be disinterested (they can be beneficiaries), but choosing witnesses who are not named in the will reduces the chance of a challenge. Sign the will in front of both witnesses, and have each witness sign as well.
6. Add a self-proving affidavit (recommended). Take the signed will to a notary public. You and both witnesses will make sworn statements or sign a certification under penalty of perjury. Michigan allows this to be done at the time of signing or afterward. The self-proving affidavit means your witnesses will not need to testify in probate court later.
7. Store the original safely. Put the original will in a fireproof safe, a bank safe deposit box, or another secure location. Tell your personal representative exactly where it is. Keep a digital copy as a backup, but the original paper document is what matters.
8. Update your beneficiary designations. Check the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and any payable-on-death bank accounts. These documents override your will, so they need to match your estate plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a will I created online legally valid in Michigan?

Yes, as long as you print it, sign it, and have it witnessed by two adults in compliance with MCL 700.2502. The law does not care whether the document was drafted by an attorney, created on a website, or typed up on your home computer. What matters is the final executed document.

Can I sign my Michigan will with an electronic signature?

Not reliably. Michigan has not adopted a formal electronic wills statute. While the harmless error rule under MCL 700.2503 could potentially validate an electronically signed will if there is overwhelming evidence of your intent, this is not a strategy to count on. Sign with a pen on paper.

Do my witnesses need to be present when I sign?

Yes. Under MCL 700.2502, each witness must sign within a reasonable time after watching you sign the will or after you acknowledge your signature to them. The safest approach is to sign in the physical presence of both witnesses and have everyone sign at the same ceremony. Michigan law no longer requires witnesses to sign in each other's presence, but having everyone together is the simplest way to avoid any issues.

What about holographic (handwritten) wills?

Michigan recognizes holographic wills under MCL 700.2502(2). If the material portions of the will and your signature are in your own handwriting and the document is dated, it can be valid without witnesses. However, holographic wills are more likely to be challenged and harder to prove in probate. A typed, printed, and properly witnessed will is almost always the better choice.

Can I get my will notarized remotely?

Yes. Michigan allows remote online notarization on a permanent basis. A Michigan-registered notary can notarize your self-proving affidavit via a live video session. The notary must be physically in Michigan, but you can be anywhere. The session must be recorded and archived. This is useful for the self-proving affidavit, though you still need witnesses for the will itself.

What is the cheapest way to make a valid will in Michigan?

A handwritten (holographic) will costs nothing but your time. It is free and legal, but risky. Among online options, attorney-drafted Michigan templates start at $89 and typically include all the documents you need. National platforms like LegalZoom start at $129 for a basic will only, with power of attorney and healthcare directive sold separately. The cheapest option that is also the safest is a Michigan-specific template kit that includes execution instructions and all your essential documents in one package.

Create Your Michigan Will Today

You do not need to hire an attorney or pay hundreds of dollars to get a legally valid Michigan will. An attorney-drafted template, proper signing, and two witnesses are all it takes. The hardest part is getting started.