Flint Probate Court Records Search

Genesee County Probate Court in Flint

The Genesee County Probate Court is at 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 502, Flint, MI 48502. The court has been in this building for decades, sharing space with the Circuit Court. Flint is the county seat of Genesee County, so the probate court is right in town. This is a big convenience for Flint residents compared to people in cities where the probate court is in another town. Call (810) 257-3528 for general information about cases, fees, or filing requirements.

The court has jurisdiction over all probate matters in Genesee County under MCL 700.1302. That includes estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. The 67th District Court handles other local matters in Flint, such as traffic cases and small claims, but probate is strictly a county-level function handled in Room 502. The Records Office on the 5th floor of the same building stores older case files and is where you go to pull archived documents.

Flint's probate court sees a heavy caseload. Genesee County is one of the more populated counties in Michigan, and Flint is its largest city.

Search Flint Probate Records Online

The MiCOURT Case Search for Genesee County is the main online tool for looking up Flint probate court records. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Select the probate court option and type in your search terms. MiCOURT is free. It shows case type, filing date, parties, and the register of actions. This covers most recent Flint probate cases, though very old files may not be in the system.

For historical records, the situation is different. Probate records from 1857 to 1883 are held at the Archives of Michigan, not at the local courthouse. If you need something from that era, you will have to contact the state archives. Records from 1883 forward are at the Genesee County courthouse. The Records Office on the 5th floor handles requests for older files that may not be stored in the main court area. Call ahead to make sure the file you need is available before making the trip.

Flint Estate Filings and Probate Procedures

When a Flint resident dies, their estate may need to go through probate at the Genesee County court. Michigan law under MCL 700.1101 sets the rules. Formal probate is for contested or complex estates. A judge oversees every major step. Informal probate is the simpler option, where the personal representative handles things with minimal court involvement. Most Flint estates use the informal process. Filing fees in Genesee County range from about $150 to $210 depending on the type of filing.

Small estates valued at $15,000 or less, minus funeral costs, can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982. This lets heirs claim assets without opening a full probate case. The court clerk in Room 502 has the forms. SCAO-approved forms are required for all probate filings, and you can also download them from the SCAO probate forms page.

Inventory fees follow the state schedule set by MCL 600.871. The amount depends on the estate value. These fees are separate from filing fees and are due when the inventory is submitted to the court.

Guardianship Records in Flint

Guardianship and conservatorship cases for Flint residents are filed at the Genesee County Probate Court. A guardianship gives someone the legal authority to make personal care decisions for a person who cannot make them alone. A conservatorship deals with money and property management. Both require petitions filed on SCAO forms, a court hearing, and notice to all interested parties.

These records are part of the public file at the courthouse. You can search for them on MiCOURT or ask the clerk in Room 502 to pull them up. Filing fees for guardianship cases range from about $105 to $495. The exact amount depends on the type of case. Sealed records are rare in probate matters but do exist for adoption files and some mental health cases. The court follows state law on what remains private.

Note: Guardianship hearings in Genesee County are scheduled after all required parties have been properly notified.

Requesting Copies of Flint Probate Court Records

Visit the Genesee County Probate Court in person for the fastest service. Standard copies are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. You can also request copies by mail. Send your request to 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 502, Flint, MI 48502 with the case number, the documents you need, and payment. MCL 600.855 requires the court to maintain records and provide access under state rules.

Phone calls to (810) 257-3528 can help you confirm whether a case exists and what the current fees are before you visit or send mail.

Legal Help in Flint

Michigan Legal Help has free online guides for people handling probate without a lawyer. The State Bar of Michigan offers a lawyer referral service. The Michigan Courts website has links to forms, court rules, and contact information for every court in the state. Genesee County also has legal aid programs that may be able to help with probate matters at reduced or no cost.

Nearby Cities

Residents of these cities may also deal with probate courts in their respective counties:

• Lansing
• Ann Arbor