Dearborn Probate Records Search
Dearborn probate court records are filed through the Wayne County Probate Court in Detroit. Dearborn does not have its own probate court. All estate, guardianship, and conservatorship cases for Dearborn residents go to the Wayne County courthouse at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The court handles records for the entire county, which includes Dearborn and dozens of other communities. You can search for Dearborn probate court records online, make the trip to Detroit, or send a request by mail. This page covers how to find and get those records.
Dearborn at a Glance
Wayne County Probate Court for Dearborn
The Wayne County Probate Court is at 1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: (313) 224-5685. This is where all Dearborn probate court records are filed and stored. The court's jurisdiction includes estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health cases under MCL 700.1302. Dearborn is close to Detroit, so the drive to the courthouse is short. But you can handle many tasks online or by mail too.
Wayne County is the most populated county in Michigan. The probate court sees a large volume of cases every day. If you plan to visit, go early in the day. Wait times can get long in the afternoon. Calling ahead to check if your record is available saves time.
All filings use SCAO-approved forms per MCL 600.855. You can get those from the SCAO probate forms page.
The Wayne County Probate Court website provides case search, forms, and fee information for Dearborn probate court records.
Use this site to search for cases, check fees, and download filing forms.
How to Search Dearborn Probate Court Records
Start with the Wayne County Probate Court Case Access system. It lets you search by name or case number and shows basic case information, filing dates, and upcoming hearings. The tool covers all Wayne County probate cases, including those filed by Dearborn residents. It is free and available around the clock.
The MiCOURT portal is another option. This statewide search tool includes Wayne County cases. For Dearborn probate records, the county system is usually more complete. But MiCOURT can help if you are searching across multiple counties or court types.
For in-person access, visit the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. The clerk can pull the file and let you view it. Copies cost $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page, then $1 for each additional page. Mail requests are accepted with a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Dearborn Probate Estate Filings
Dearborn estate cases follow Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101. The personal representative files with Wayne County Probate Court to open a case. Informal probate runs about $150 to $190. Formal probate with full court oversight costs $170 to $210 or more. The choice depends on the complexity of the estate and whether anyone disputes the will.
Small estates valued at $15,000 or less, not counting funeral costs, can use the affidavit process under MCL 700.3982. This is much faster and cheaper than full probate. The court clerk can give you the form and explain the steps.
Dearborn Guardianship and Conservatorship Cases
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions for Dearborn residents are filed at Wayne County Probate Court. A guardianship lets one person make care decisions for another. A conservatorship covers financial matters. Both create public court records. Filing fees range from $105 to $495 depending on the case type. The court schedules hearings and notifies all parties involved.
Inventory fees for estates and conservatorships follow MCL 600.871. The fee is based on the total value of assets and follows a sliding scale set by state law.
The Dearborn Historical Museum may have some older records or documents that tie into family research. For probate records specifically, the Wayne County court is the primary source.
Note: The 19th District Court at 16077 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn handles traffic, misdemeanors, and local civil cases but does not hear probate matters.
Getting Help with Dearborn Probate Matters
If you need a lawyer for a Dearborn probate case, the State Bar of Michigan has a referral service. They can match you with an attorney who handles estates, guardianships, or trust disputes. The Michigan Legal Help website is a free resource for people managing probate on their own. It includes step-by-step guides and fillable forms.
The Michigan Courts website has general court information, links to rules, and contact details for every probate court in the state. You can also use the MiFILE system for electronic filing if Wayne County accepts it for your case type.
Dearborn County Court Link
Dearborn probate court records are managed by Wayne County. Check the Wayne County page for full courthouse details and filing information.
Nearby Cities
Probate court record pages for cities near Dearborn: