Probate Information

• How to Start a Wayne County Probate Case
• How to Complete Forms
• Directions for Giving Notice of Hearing
• How to Close a Wayne County Probate Case
• Probate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
• Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman
• List of Court Approved Mediators
• Administrative Information
• Request For Accommodations - ADA
• Mental Health Services Brochure - from DWMHA
• Contact Us

How to Start a Wayne County Probate Case

• Limited Guardianship for Minors
• Full Guardianship for Minors
• Guardianship for an Individual with a Developmental Disability
• Guardianship for Legally Incapacitated Adults
• Conservatorship for Minors
• Conservatorship for Adults
• Small Estates
• Decedents' Estates
• Involuntary Mental Health Treatment

How to Complete Forms

• Conservatorship Account
• Decedent's Estate Account
• Inventory

Note: Financial Institution Addresses now Required on all Accounts and Inventories: MCR 5.203(D), amended effective November 15, 2005, requires that notice of a fiduciary’s suspension must be given to “…any financial institution listed on the most recent Inventory or Account where the fiduciary has deposited funds…”.  In order to comply with this directive, effective immediately, financial institution address information must be put on every Account and Inventory submitted to the Wayne County Probate Court. 

• Settlements and Judgments Involving Minors and Legally Incapacitated Individuals
• Waiver and Consent -- Sample Language

1. Fill out the forms.  These can be printed out from this website.  Fill them out (type them or use dark ink).  Forms are also available in Room 1307 of the Court.   
2. Make sure your forms are completely filled out.

• Did you sign all of them?
• Are all the interested persons listed, along with their addresses, including zip codes?
• You may wish to get a waiver and consent form signed by each interested person.  Except for guardianships, getting these forms may make it easier to start your case. 
• If you need help filling out the form, contact an attorney.

3. Take your forms to Room 1307 and see the Information Clerk.  If you need help filling out the forms, contact an attorney. 
     
4. Bring money to pay the filing fee in Room 1305.  You can pay by cash, check, or money order payable to the “Wayne County Probate Court”.  You can pay with a MasterCard or Discover credit card in person (click here for more information).  If you don’t have enough money to pay the fee, you can’t file your petition.  The only exception is if you want to file a guardianship petition and are indigent.      

How to Close a Wayne County Probate Case

•  Decedent's Estate
•  Guardianship for Minors
•  Conservatorship for Minors
•  Limited Minor Guardianships
•  Guardianship for Adults
•  Conservatorship for Adults
•  Guardianship for an Individual with a Developmental Disability

Probate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

• Administering a Decedent's Estate
• Administrative Closings of Probate Cases
• Adoption Records Request
• Attorney General Address -- No Known Heir
• Child Custody Action versus Minor Guardianship Proceeding
• Child Support Questions
• Copy Request
• Dead Bodies - Disinterment/Exhumation
• ePayment Instructions
• EPIC Cost of Living Adjustments
• Fax Filing Policy
• Federal Estate Tax Exemption Amounts
• Guardianship for an Individual with a Developmental Disability
• Guardianship/Conservatorship for Minors
• Guardianship/Conservatorship for Adults
• Independent Evaluator List
• Juvenile Court Questions
• Michigan Intestate Succession Under EPIC
• Michigan Public Administrators
• Miscellaneous Government Addresses for Notification in Probate Proceedings
• Money Due from Decedent’s Employer (Wages & Fringe Benefits)
• Motor Vehicles – Transfer of Decedent’s Title
• Name Change
• Obtaining a Deceased Person's Medical Records
• Obtaining Own Will Filed With the Court
• Obtaining Updated Letters of Authority with a new Expiration Date
• Pleadings Processed in Judges' Office After Paying Applicable Filing Fees
• Pleadings Processed at the Probate Counter in Room 1307
• Pleadings that may be dropped off in the Attorney Drop Box located next to the Attorney Clerks in Room 1307
• Power of Attorney
• Probate Records\Transcript Request
• Reopening Decedent's Estate
• Sale of Real Estate
• Where do I file
• Will Inquiry

Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman

    For more information, please click here.

List of Court Approved Mediators

    For more information, please click here.

• Mediator Application

Administrative Information

• Site Map
• Privacy Statement\Disclaimer
• SCAO Language Access Information (link: http://courts.mi.gov/self-help/interpreter/pages/default.aspx)
• Michigan Legal Help (link: http://www.michiganlegalhelp.org/)
• Language Access Plan (LAP) Coordinator\Language Access Plan
• Local Administrative Orders

 

 Note:  The Court is prohibited by law (Sec. 1211 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code [EPIC]) from providing legal advice and completing forms.  This website e-mail question feature is designed to provide general information and may be useful as a guide.  If you have additional questions, consider contacting an attorney for assistance.

Rev. 7/16