Probate Information

Probate Information

How to Start a Wayne County Probate Case

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” (location/hours). 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 Heirs

· Attorney General -- Addresses by Department

· Child Support Questions

· Dead Bodies - Disinterment/Exhumation

· 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

· How to Complete a Conservatorship Account

· How to Complete a Decedent's Estate Account

· 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 - Copy Request

· 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 Judge's Office After Paying Applicable Filing Fees

· Pleadings Processed by Judicial Services Analyst in Room 1307 Offices

· Pleadings that may be dropped off in the General Filing Box located next to the Analysts’ Check in Counter in Rm 1307

· Power of Attorney

· Probate Records Request

· Reopening Decedent's Estate

· Sale of Real Estate

· Will Inquiry

Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman

For more information, please click here.

List of Court Approved Mediators

For more information, please click here.

If you need further information, please Contact Us

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. 5/12