Hiring a Real Estate Lawyer in Michigan
What a home seller in Michigan must disclose, how foreclosure works, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Michigan: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee is allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits it. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee will be determined; at the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the client's share and how it was figured. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 adds requirements for some contingent fee agreements. Lawyers may not charge a criminal defendant a contingent fee, or charge a domestic relations fee contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, or based on the lawyer's success, results obtained, value added or any factor that leaves the client unable to discern how the fee is determined. |
|---|---|
| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Michigan Client Protection Fund reimburses clients harmed by a lawyer's dishonest conduct, such as theft or embezzlement of estate, trust or settlement funds, or failing to return unearned fees; it does not cover malpractice, negligence, fee disputes or consequential damages. Limits: $150,000 per claimant and $375,000 for all claims against one attorney (prorated if exceeded). File within two years after the loss or six months after discovery, whichever is later (or within one year after a discipline determination or the lawyer's death). A Request for Investigation with the Attorney Grievance Commission is part of the application. There is no filing fee; a lawyer who helps may charge no more than $250 unless the State Bar authorizes more. Contact: cpf@michbar.org, (517) 346-6354. Fund home: https://www.michbar.org/client/protectionfund |
Michigan rules to know first
| What a home seller must disclose | Yes. Under the Seller Disclosure Act, sellers of property with 1 to 4 residential units (including by land contract, lease with option to buy, or transfer of a cooperative interest) must give the buyer a written "Seller's Disclosure Statement" on the statutory form before signing a binding purchase agreement. If the statement is delivered after the purchase agreement is signed, the buyer may terminate by written notice within 72 hours after in-person delivery or 120 hours after delivery by registered mail, until the deed or land contract transfer. Source: MCL 565.952, 565.954, 565.957 |
|---|---|
| How foreclosure works | Both. A mortgage that contains a power of sale may be foreclosed "by advertisement" (without a court case) after a default, as long as no lawsuit to collect the debt is pending, the mortgage is recorded, and the foreclosing party owns the debt (or an interest in it) or is the servicer. The circuit court also has jurisdiction to foreclose mortgages and land contracts through a court case. These procedures do not apply to mortgages held by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The statutes read do not say which method is most common. Source: MCL 600.3101, 600.3201, 600.3204 |
| Foreclosure timeline | In a foreclosure by advertisement, the sale notice must be published for 4 successive weeks (at least once each week) before the sale, and posted on the property within 15 days after the first publication. After the sale, the homeowner has a redemption period (generally 6 months or 1 year for homes of 1 to 4 units, shorter if the property is abandoned) before the buyer's deed becomes final. Source: MCL 600.3208, 600.3240 |
| HOA foreclosure | Yes, for condominiums. Unpaid condominium assessments, with interest, late and collection charges, attorney fees and fines allowed by the condominium documents, are a lien on the unit, ranking ahead of other liens except tax liens and a first mortgage of record (though past-due assessments covered by a recorded notice of lien have priority over a first mortgage recorded after that notice). The association may foreclose the lien by court action or by advertisement, in the same manner as a mortgage. Before starting foreclosure, it must record a notice of lien and mail it to the owner at least 10 days in advance. The redemption period after the sale is 6 months, or 1 month if the property is abandoned. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service matches people who can afford to hire a lawyer with a participating panel lawyer; a referral assistant matches you by type of matter and area. Per the program rules (May 2023), the service "charges a $25 administrative fee" and the panelist "will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge"; the fee is waived for residential tenants, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants and personal injury plaintiffs. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. A Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys offering reduced-cost help. Program rules: https://www.michbar.org/file/lrs/lrs-programrules.pdf |
|---|---|
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints (Requests for Investigation) about Michigan lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission. Anyone may file, using the AGC form or a signed letter describing the misconduct with approximate time and place and any documents (unbound, unstapled). Requests are not accepted electronically or by fax; mail them to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 2100, Troy, MI 48084. Intake decides whether the lawyer must respond or dismisses (you may ask for reconsideration); after investigation the Commission may close the file, issue a consensual admonition, place the lawyer on contractual probation, or authorize formal charges before the Attorney Discipline Board, and notifies the parties in writing. A lawyer's public disciplinary record can be requested from the Commission. Phone: 313-961-6585. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Michigan's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services. |
|---|
All legal help in Michigan · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.